Not sure if this deserves its own thread - mods do what you will. Just wanted to talk not just about a single player or two, but all of the "kids". The 26 and younger group of Red Sox.
Major leaguers...
Vazquez (25) - .229/.270/.333/.604 - Obviously he's not there for his bat, and it's amazing that even with him in the lineup, they are leading the league in runs scored. It's pretty ideal. Just a tremendous defensive presence out there.
Bogaerts (23) - .350/.401/.516/.917 - Already a terrific player, I want to see him keep this up just a little longer, but it's possible that we are already at the "Xander is a superstar" point. On pace for 8.1 bWAR. Excellent fielder, really good baserunner, and a tremendous hitter. If he adds power and gets to 25 homers a year, holy smokes.
Betts (23) - .283/.325/.522/.847, 12 homers, 8 sb - Stellar defender. Versatile. Electric athlete. Now on pace for 35+ homers after his game last night. There's nothing this guy can't do.
Swihart (24) - .245/.345/.367/.712 - Solid catcher, though not nearly as good as Vazquez defensively. Now showing he can play a solid major league left field, increasing his versatility. The bat has tons of potential, and boy can this guy run the bases. Just a really good overall baseball player.
Bradley (26) - .331/.409/.601/1.010 - Just a breakout season for this emerging superstar. Incredible defensively. Not blessed with the same speed as Betts, but he runs very well. I think we all hoped he would become a .270 hitter in the majors, which, to go along with his incredible defense, would have made him a great major leaguer. But the bat...my goodness. Don't think he will end up being THIS kind of major league hitter, but is it really possible he could be an elite defensive CF *and* be a .900 ops guy as well? If so, the word "superstar" isn't generous enough.
Hernandez (23) - .267/.313/.467/.779 - Just a spare part, and I don't think he becomes anything more than that, but he's a pretty useful spare part. Every major league team needs guys like this, who can do a little bit of everything, and who you don't mind putting into the game to rest a regular. Not a ton of pop, but he did hit 9 homers in 484 plate appearances in the minors last year.
Barnes (26) - 24.0 ip, 2.63 era, 1.46 whip, 8.6 k/9 - Looks like Barnes is much more suited for a bullpen role than a starting role. 97 mph fastball, if he spots well, can be pretty effective.
Smith (26) - Now dealing with TJ surgery, which is very unfortunate. Tons of talent, just hope he gets back for 2017 at some point (probably post-ASB) and regains his effectiveness, because he is a very good reliever (2.31 era, 1.01 whip, 11.8 k/9 last year).
Rodriguez (23) - Just returned from the DL, after a very successful season last year with Boston (10-6, 3.85 era), he threw 6 innings of 2-run ball last night in Baltimore in his season debut. Just looks like he has all the tools to be a top-end starter in the majors for years to come.
Still prospects....
Light (26) - Power arm in the bullpen, 3.12 era, 1.21 whip, 10.9 k/9 in AAA this year. Could develop into another very useful reliever at the major league level. I'd anticipate seeing more of him in Boston this year at some point.
Moncada (21) - .295/.424/.457/.881 in A+ Salem. Mega prospect. Can't wait for this kid to get to the majors.
Benintendi (21) - .311/.378/.497/.875 in two levels of the minors this year. Another potential star in the making.
Espinoza (17) - Has the Sox drooling.
Devers (19) - Huge potential.
Travis (22) - Now injured, sadly, but has been hitting well in the minors this year.
Chavis (20) - Hitting a whopping .356/.415/.576/.992 at single-A Greenville so far.
I just don't recall a time when the Red Sox were bursting with so much young talent like they are now. And this doesn't get into other guys who are older than 26 but younger than 30.
Major leaguers...
Vazquez (25) - .229/.270/.333/.604 - Obviously he's not there for his bat, and it's amazing that even with him in the lineup, they are leading the league in runs scored. It's pretty ideal. Just a tremendous defensive presence out there.
Bogaerts (23) - .350/.401/.516/.917 - Already a terrific player, I want to see him keep this up just a little longer, but it's possible that we are already at the "Xander is a superstar" point. On pace for 8.1 bWAR. Excellent fielder, really good baserunner, and a tremendous hitter. If he adds power and gets to 25 homers a year, holy smokes.
Betts (23) - .283/.325/.522/.847, 12 homers, 8 sb - Stellar defender. Versatile. Electric athlete. Now on pace for 35+ homers after his game last night. There's nothing this guy can't do.
Swihart (24) - .245/.345/.367/.712 - Solid catcher, though not nearly as good as Vazquez defensively. Now showing he can play a solid major league left field, increasing his versatility. The bat has tons of potential, and boy can this guy run the bases. Just a really good overall baseball player.
Bradley (26) - .331/.409/.601/1.010 - Just a breakout season for this emerging superstar. Incredible defensively. Not blessed with the same speed as Betts, but he runs very well. I think we all hoped he would become a .270 hitter in the majors, which, to go along with his incredible defense, would have made him a great major leaguer. But the bat...my goodness. Don't think he will end up being THIS kind of major league hitter, but is it really possible he could be an elite defensive CF *and* be a .900 ops guy as well? If so, the word "superstar" isn't generous enough.
Hernandez (23) - .267/.313/.467/.779 - Just a spare part, and I don't think he becomes anything more than that, but he's a pretty useful spare part. Every major league team needs guys like this, who can do a little bit of everything, and who you don't mind putting into the game to rest a regular. Not a ton of pop, but he did hit 9 homers in 484 plate appearances in the minors last year.
Barnes (26) - 24.0 ip, 2.63 era, 1.46 whip, 8.6 k/9 - Looks like Barnes is much more suited for a bullpen role than a starting role. 97 mph fastball, if he spots well, can be pretty effective.
Smith (26) - Now dealing with TJ surgery, which is very unfortunate. Tons of talent, just hope he gets back for 2017 at some point (probably post-ASB) and regains his effectiveness, because he is a very good reliever (2.31 era, 1.01 whip, 11.8 k/9 last year).
Rodriguez (23) - Just returned from the DL, after a very successful season last year with Boston (10-6, 3.85 era), he threw 6 innings of 2-run ball last night in Baltimore in his season debut. Just looks like he has all the tools to be a top-end starter in the majors for years to come.
Still prospects....
Light (26) - Power arm in the bullpen, 3.12 era, 1.21 whip, 10.9 k/9 in AAA this year. Could develop into another very useful reliever at the major league level. I'd anticipate seeing more of him in Boston this year at some point.
Moncada (21) - .295/.424/.457/.881 in A+ Salem. Mega prospect. Can't wait for this kid to get to the majors.
Benintendi (21) - .311/.378/.497/.875 in two levels of the minors this year. Another potential star in the making.
Espinoza (17) - Has the Sox drooling.
Devers (19) - Huge potential.
Travis (22) - Now injured, sadly, but has been hitting well in the minors this year.
Chavis (20) - Hitting a whopping .356/.415/.576/.992 at single-A Greenville so far.
I just don't recall a time when the Red Sox were bursting with so much young talent like they are now. And this doesn't get into other guys who are older than 26 but younger than 30.
mookiebetts @mookiebetts 
