Curious to see where other people rank the prospects. Amazing how the team still has so many elite prospects after all the players they have graduated over recent years (X, Betts, JBJ, Swihart, EdRod etc). I'm assuming Marco Hernandez isn't a prospect, otherwise he'd slot around 13th.
1. Benintendi
Not just to be different either. I think his floor is a lot higher than Moncada's and his ceiling isn't much lower. He has great command of the strike zone and the sweetest swing you will ever see and plays good defense. He has quickly adjusted everytime he's been promoted. Andrew has the type of profile that is closer to Mookie than X or JBJ and I'm guessing he will be one of the top contenders for ROY. I could see Andrew and Betts battling it out for who the best player is on the Sox for the next 10 years.
2. Moncada
He struggled in his initial call up and while he is doing ok in the AFL (.292/.370/.458 in 27 PA, 10k/1bb), the strikeouts remain a huge issue. With that said, he destroyed Salem and Portland and BA named him the number 1 prospect in all of baseball. I expect him to get 200-300 at bats in Pawtucket before being called up and that it will take him 400-500 at bats to get adjusted to the Majors a la JBJ/X.
3. Devers
Devers started the year off awful and while people weren't writing him off, there was some minor concerns. With a monster 2nd half, he managed to finish the year with a similar stat line he had in 2015, although his walk rate improved significantly, from 4.7% to 7.3%, while his K rate stayed relatively the same (16.5%, 17.1%) First Half: .233/.300/.335 Second Half: .326/.367/539. Interestingly enough, he stole 18/24 bases, including 11/13 in the 2nd half and while he isn't a great athlete... his athleticism is much better than advertised. 2017 could be the year Devers really breaks out. It's not outside the realm of possibility he gets some September at bats in the MLB next year.
4. Kopech
He missed some time early in the year and has had some off field issues, but when on the field he has been lights out. He regularly hits 100 and has swing and miss stuff, but struggles with control. Kopech has a way to go as he's still fairly inconsistent and there's a good chance he does end up in the bullpen but the potential is definitely there.
5. Groome
Had a fairly successful pro debut. Was considered by some a top pick in the draft but fell due to signability and character issues. Ace ceiling with 3 plus pitches and sits at 92-94. One of 5 redsox prospects to probably be in the top 50 lists of most publications.
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After the top 5, there is a significant drop off. Young players with insane potential but serious flaws, players with limited ceilings, etc. There is another drop off at 8 imo, although smaller.
6. Alex Basabe
Probably has just as much upside potential as anyone else in the farm not named Moncada or Ben10. With a power/speed combo and a good defensive profile, he is a 5 tool prospect. Basabe struggled much like Devers in the 1st half, but put it all together in the 2nd half showing why he got a $500k signing bonus. First Half: .222/.293/.397 Second Half: .292/.355/.493. He strikes out more than you would like but made better contact in the 2nd half. If all goes well, Basabe could make some top 50 lists next year. He could just as easily never make it to Portland.
7. Dubon
A solid defensive player who has been playing CF in the AFL, Dubon showed before unseen power in Portland. With a quick bat and decent strike zone judgement, Dubon profiles as a fringe starter on a bad team or a decent UI. However he is only 22 years old and if he builds off his 2016 and proves the power he showed in Portland wasn't a total mirage, given all his other traits, he could seriously shoot up some prospect lists next year and could be an above average regular. Could see time in Boston next year.
8. Sam Travis
Missed more than half the year due to an injury but was playing to expectations with maybe a little more power than expected. Travis has a gap power, decent plate discipline and profiles as average defensively. He could also see some time in Boston next year. He reminds me of Mark Grace lite or Travis Lee type.
9. Bobby Dalbec
Monster power potential with huge strike out concerns. Early signs are extremely positive though, as he slashed .386/.430/.674 (143 PA, 9bb/33k) in his pro debut. He has a very strong arm for 3b and used to be a pitcher. His glove is ok.
10. Chavis
Still strikes out way too much and after a promising start, he reverted to old form after coming back from an injury. He struck out in over 30% of his at bats since his return from the DL. Chavis got promoted to Salem anyway, and struggled initially. Next year is a huge year for Chavis and will probably make or break him as a prospect.
11. Roniel Raudes
12. Brian Johnson
13. Josh Ockimey
14. CJ Chattham
15. Nick Longhi
16. Jake Cosart
17. Trey Ball
18. Travis Lakins
19. Victor Diaz
20. Luis Ysla
1. Benintendi
Not just to be different either. I think his floor is a lot higher than Moncada's and his ceiling isn't much lower. He has great command of the strike zone and the sweetest swing you will ever see and plays good defense. He has quickly adjusted everytime he's been promoted. Andrew has the type of profile that is closer to Mookie than X or JBJ and I'm guessing he will be one of the top contenders for ROY. I could see Andrew and Betts battling it out for who the best player is on the Sox for the next 10 years.
2. Moncada
He struggled in his initial call up and while he is doing ok in the AFL (.292/.370/.458 in 27 PA, 10k/1bb), the strikeouts remain a huge issue. With that said, he destroyed Salem and Portland and BA named him the number 1 prospect in all of baseball. I expect him to get 200-300 at bats in Pawtucket before being called up and that it will take him 400-500 at bats to get adjusted to the Majors a la JBJ/X.
3. Devers
Devers started the year off awful and while people weren't writing him off, there was some minor concerns. With a monster 2nd half, he managed to finish the year with a similar stat line he had in 2015, although his walk rate improved significantly, from 4.7% to 7.3%, while his K rate stayed relatively the same (16.5%, 17.1%) First Half: .233/.300/.335 Second Half: .326/.367/539. Interestingly enough, he stole 18/24 bases, including 11/13 in the 2nd half and while he isn't a great athlete... his athleticism is much better than advertised. 2017 could be the year Devers really breaks out. It's not outside the realm of possibility he gets some September at bats in the MLB next year.
4. Kopech
He missed some time early in the year and has had some off field issues, but when on the field he has been lights out. He regularly hits 100 and has swing and miss stuff, but struggles with control. Kopech has a way to go as he's still fairly inconsistent and there's a good chance he does end up in the bullpen but the potential is definitely there.
5. Groome
Had a fairly successful pro debut. Was considered by some a top pick in the draft but fell due to signability and character issues. Ace ceiling with 3 plus pitches and sits at 92-94. One of 5 redsox prospects to probably be in the top 50 lists of most publications.
-----------------------------------------
After the top 5, there is a significant drop off. Young players with insane potential but serious flaws, players with limited ceilings, etc. There is another drop off at 8 imo, although smaller.
6. Alex Basabe
Probably has just as much upside potential as anyone else in the farm not named Moncada or Ben10. With a power/speed combo and a good defensive profile, he is a 5 tool prospect. Basabe struggled much like Devers in the 1st half, but put it all together in the 2nd half showing why he got a $500k signing bonus. First Half: .222/.293/.397 Second Half: .292/.355/.493. He strikes out more than you would like but made better contact in the 2nd half. If all goes well, Basabe could make some top 50 lists next year. He could just as easily never make it to Portland.
7. Dubon
A solid defensive player who has been playing CF in the AFL, Dubon showed before unseen power in Portland. With a quick bat and decent strike zone judgement, Dubon profiles as a fringe starter on a bad team or a decent UI. However he is only 22 years old and if he builds off his 2016 and proves the power he showed in Portland wasn't a total mirage, given all his other traits, he could seriously shoot up some prospect lists next year and could be an above average regular. Could see time in Boston next year.
8. Sam Travis
Missed more than half the year due to an injury but was playing to expectations with maybe a little more power than expected. Travis has a gap power, decent plate discipline and profiles as average defensively. He could also see some time in Boston next year. He reminds me of Mark Grace lite or Travis Lee type.
9. Bobby Dalbec
Monster power potential with huge strike out concerns. Early signs are extremely positive though, as he slashed .386/.430/.674 (143 PA, 9bb/33k) in his pro debut. He has a very strong arm for 3b and used to be a pitcher. His glove is ok.
10. Chavis
Still strikes out way too much and after a promising start, he reverted to old form after coming back from an injury. He struck out in over 30% of his at bats since his return from the DL. Chavis got promoted to Salem anyway, and struggled initially. Next year is a huge year for Chavis and will probably make or break him as a prospect.
11. Roniel Raudes
12. Brian Johnson
13. Josh Ockimey
14. CJ Chattham
15. Nick Longhi
16. Jake Cosart
17. Trey Ball
18. Travis Lakins
19. Victor Diaz
20. Luis Ysla