OTM Prospect Rankings: Who's No. 12?

[Note by Randy Booth, 02/22/09 1:05 PM EST ] Poll will end at 11:45 p.m. Sunday night!

Time to revisit our prospects list, which kind of took a backseat when the Alex Rodriguez saga hit the newsstands. But we continue after Stolmy Pimentel grabbed the No. 11 spot.

Also, I've decided we're going to go to 15, not 20 like I planned. This is dragging a little more than I wanted it to (which is definitely my fault) but I want to start moving on to some other things. With that, no more names will be added to the list. Four more spots up for grabs!

Outfielder Ryan Kalish slotted in at 10 and now we continue to churn on our list. Added to the list is reliever Stephen Fife.

YAMAICO NAVARRO (More info)
21 y.o. / Shortstop / B: R, T: R
SP: 10 / BA: 9 / MLB: 9

LVL	AB	2B	HR	RBI	BA/OBP/SLG
A	325	14	7	54	.280/.341/.412
A+	181	13	4	23	.348/.393/.508
HWB	13	0	0	0	.231/.286/.231

SoxProspects:
Not initially signed as a big name, Navarro has thoroughly impressed the Sox brass during his rise through the organization. He has an athletic build for a shortstop, with a little bit of bulk. At the plate, he makes good contact and generates good loft off his bat, resulting in a lot of liners. Hits fastballs better than breaking balls. A little too aggressive at the plate, could stand to take some more pitches. Average speed and good power for a middle infielder. In the field, he plays 2B, 3B, and SS more than adequately, with a sure glove and an average to above average arm, but he still needs to improve footwork. He also has real problems with fluidly executing double plays. Regardless, he's always entertaining to watch, and turns a lot of big league gems with his glove. He has an Ozzie Smith-like electricity in the field.

CHE-HSUAN LIN (More info)
20 y.o. / Outfield / B: R, T: R
SP: 9 / BA: -- / MLB: 17

LVL	AB	2B	HR	RBI	BA/OBP/SLG
A	362	13	5	37	.249/.342/.359

SoxProspects.com:
Spectacularly athletic centerfielder likely would have been a supplemental first round pick in the 2007 draft had he been eligible. Quick, strong wrists. Makes use of a leg kick as a timing step. Contact rates are below average. Decent gap power, hits well to all fields when he gets the bat on the ball. He's struggled with off-speed pitches early on. Plus speed and good intelligence on the basepaths. Exceptional glove and range in CF to go along with elite arm strength and accuracy. One teammate commented positively on Lin's range, stating that it looks like Lin is "gliding on roller skates" in the outfield. The Red Sox outbid several teams for Lin's services. Also, at least one team significantly outbid Boston, but Lin preferred to play for the Red Sox organization.

KYLE WEILAND (More info)
22 y.o. / Pitcher / B: L, T: R
SP: 14 / BA: -- / MLB: 13

LVL	IP	BB	SO	HR	ERA	WHIP
A-	60	10	68	1	1.50	0.77

SoxProspects.com:
90-95 mph fastball complemented by a plus low 80s curve and a decent 79-83 mph change. Attacks the zone with very good command - doesn't throw a lot of mistake pitches. Control of his secondary pitches could use some improvement. Fastball has great late downward life. Consistent. Delivery is somewhat unconventional - a little long on the back end, but his motion is smooth coming to the plate. But he's shown great success, so the organization may let him go with it. In college, Weiland struggled recovering from a broken collarbone sustained prior to the 2007 season, after demonstrating flashes of dominance during his freshman campaign at Notre Dame. The Sox will attempt to develop Weiland as a starter down the line.

OSCAR TEJEDA (More info)
19 y.o. / Shortstop / B: R, T: R
SP: 17 / BA: -- / MLB: 10

LVL	AB	2B	HR	RBI	BA/OBP/SLG
A	372	18	4	38	.261/.301/.347

SoxProspects.com:
Top-notch athlete, lots of tools. Ahead of the fold in terms of age-advancement, but still needs a lot of refinement. Excellent bat speed with a smooth swing. Below average present power, but he's still very young and he could fill out. Plate discipline could definitely use some improvement. Also struggles with off-speed stuff. Above average speed, but has yet to translate that into many stolen bases. Average glove at SS, decent range, and a strong arm that's accurate but inconsistent. He makes most of his errors on off balance throws. Got some time at 3B in 2008. Has impressed with his intellect for his age.

ARGENIS DIAZ (More info)
22 y.o. / Shortstop / B: R, T: R
SP: 13 / BA: -- / MLB: 16

LVL	AB	2B	HR	RBI	BA/OBP/SLG
A+	256	9	0	29	.281/.330/.363
AA	139	8	2	23	.288/.336/.417

SoxProspects.com:
Diaz is an elite defensive shortstop, and could compete for a gold glove in the bigs right now. He has plus range, excellent footing, an impressive glove, and an outstanding arm. Makes impossible plays in the field. An inordinate amount of errors in 2008 have largely been attributed to off-the-mark long throws off of grounders that Diaz had no business getting to in the first place. The key for Diaz is how much he will hit. He's a slap hitter with average on base ability and without much power, but he's swung the bat very well during a few prolonged stints here and there. Hits lefties significantly better than righties. Excellent at laying down bunts. Speed on the basepaths isn't much to speak of.

LUIS EXPOSITO (More info)
22 y.o. / Catcher / B: R, T: R
SP: 12 / BA: -- / MLB: 18

LVL	AB	2B	HR	RBI	BA/OBP/SLG
A	191	8	11	31	.283/.328/.508
A+	226	13	10	37	.301/.331/.509

SoxProspects.com:
Catcher out of Florida with a strong, broad frame. At the plate, Exposito makes decent contact. Doesn't strike out too much, but can struggle with breaking pitches on occasion. Excellent present power with the ability to add even more pop, ultimately has 25 home run potential. Plate discipline is not great, but he is showing regular improvement in that area. Minimal speed on the basepaths, about average for a catcher. Behind the plate, Exposito has tremendous catcher's tools, including very good blocking skills, a strong arm, great instincts, and outstanding game calling ability. However, he could use some improvement with his glovework and his throwing accuracy. Gunned down 28.5% of attempted base stealers in 2008, which is below average. Very personable - a popular teammate, as he speaks English and Spanish very well. He was suspended for much of the 2007 season for disciplinary reasons, but by all accounts he has turned that around and has been a model citizen and teammate ever since. Exposito was selected as a draft-and-follow in the 2005 draft, and really improved his stock by being named All-Conference, All-State, and All-Region for St. Petersburg in 2006. The Sox signed him to a decent bonus following his JuCo season and just prior to the 2006 draft. According to Peter Gammons, at least one scouting director indicated after the 2006 draft that Exposito would have been one of the top few catchers selected in that draft had the Red Sox not signed him a month prior.

STEPHEN FIFE (More info)
22 y.o. / Relief Pitcher / B: R, T: R
SP: -- / BA: -- / MLB: 15

LVL	IP	BB	SO	HR	ERA	WHIP
A-	38.2	11	41	1	2.33	1.01

SoxProspects.com:
Great pitcher's frame. At Utah, Fife worked middle relief in 2007 and earned a rotation spot for 2008. Four-seam fastball gets up to 95 mph, but generally sits between 90-93 mph. Great movement on his fastball, tailing down and in on righties. Two seamer sits around 90 mph and has a nice sink. Also works in a low 80s sharp slider and a biting 76-89 mph curve, both have excellent potential. Curveball is his out pitch. His changeup sits around 81-84 mph. Good command, pounds the zone. Extreme groundball pitcher. Workhorse, went deep into games in college, maintaining velocity well. Somewhat jerky delivery with a lot of torque - snaps the ball as it comes out of his hand. Really came on as a draft prospect late in the 2008 season.