Charlie Zink has been lights out in Pawtucket this season.
A couple days ago I polled the other writers here at Over The Monster to develop the first half Red Sox prospects All-Star team. It is essentially the top players at each position from the entire organization. Here's what the team looks like:
CATCHER
Dusty Brown, Pawtucket (AAA)
.272/.373/.467, 9 HR, 35 RBI, 0 SB
There's quite a few catching prospects in the Sox's system that have flashed something special this year, but nobody has really excelled. Brown gets the nod here over with some strong numbers outside his batting average that could stand to be raised a bit. Jon Still is a close second here with 16 home runs, but the majority of those came in April and May. Brown was a unanimous selection.
FIRST BASE
Lars Anderson, Lancaster (A+)
.317/.408/.513, 13 HR, 50 RBI, 0 SB
The power is back for Mr. Anderson. He's had a strong first half and I only see his season getting better. He should see a promotion to Portland pretty soon and put up similiar numbers -- hopefully. Anderson was a unanimous selection.
SECOND BASE
Chih-Hsien Chiang, Lancaster (A+)
.307/.341/.473, 9 HR, 56 RBI, 2 SB
Like Daisuke, Chiang is a star on the international stage, although his distinction came earlier in his life than Matsuzaka's did. At the age of 15 he helped Taiwan to win a silver medal in the 2003 World Youth Championships, hitting two homers and leading the tournament in RBIs. Chiang is large (6'1'') and hits for average (.298), though his plate discipline needs work (.333 OBP). His power isn't there yet, although it may develop; he has 7 homers in 08, after 5 and 2 in 2007 and 2006 respectively. He is very popular in Taiwan - Soxprospects notes his nickname is the "Lebron of Taiwan." Chiang was a unanimous selection.
THIRD BASE
Michael Almanzar, Gulf Coast League (R)
.367/.425/.506, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 3 SB (79 ab)
Almanzar's raw talent has been exposed in his first 79 at-bats with the Red Sox this season. He's doing well, but let's remember it's a small sample size. I did not vote for Almanzar -- essentially because of the sample size -- but nevertheless, the stats are good. Ryan Khoury (Portland, .283, 3 HR) was my pick.
SHORTSTOP
Jed Lowrie, Pawtucket (AAA)
.268/.359/.434, 5 HR, 32 RBI, 1 SB
Lowrie has seen a handful of time in Boston, so the stats have definitely taken a hit a little bit. Nevertheless, Lowrie has had his ups and downs this season but overall has done well. He'd definitely benefit if he isn't shuffled from Boston and Pawtucket every other week.
OUTFIELD
Josh Reddick, Lancaster (A+)
.341/.370/.577, 15 HR, 55 RBI, 8 SB
Reddick has been the total package so far this season in Lancaster: power, speed, average. All he needs to do is walk a little bit more and we've got ourselves a complete player. He should be promoted to Portland pretty soon.
Ryan Kalish, Greenville (A)
.283/.369/.370, 3 HR, 26 RBI, 14 SB
Kalish hasn't lived up to his 2007 season quite yet, but he's been a quality outfielder for Greenville this season. He needs to start showing some power though. He'll probably get promoted to Lancaster once Reddick gets promoted.
Jeff Bailey, Pawtucket (AAA)
.306/.403/.596, 23 HR, 62 RBI, 4 SB
The third outfield spot was where we were the most torn. There were nominations for Jason Place, Che-Hsuan Lin, Jeff Corsaletti and Bailey. Since I'm writing this all up, I take my nomination, Bailey. Bailey has been a powerhouse in Pawtucket and there's nothing in his stat line to be disappointed with. He's never done this well before though, so that may be a reason to shy away from his future.
DESIGNATED HITTER
Chris Carter, Pawtucket (AAA)
.288/.349/.511, 19 HR, 66 RBI, 0 SB
Another studly line coming from Pawtucket. Too bad Carter is blocked because he's got a lot of potential. If you remember, he was who we received for Wily Mo Pena. We've gotten a pretty good deal so far, but I'd love to see what Carter can do in the bigs.
STARTING PITCHERS
Michael Bowden, Portland (AA)
9-4, 2.33 ERA, 104.1 IP, 101 SO, 24 BB
*drools* ... That's all.
Charlie Zink, Pawtucket (AAA)
11-2, 2.22 ERA, 125.2 IP, 81 SO, 37 BB
He's a knuckleballer! He was good, like, 3 years ago and then disappeared. He wasn't even that good 3 years ago. But now he's kicking ass in Pawtucket. I have no idea why. I don't think anyone does. But it'd be freakin' amazing if he got a shot in Boston this year. I just want to see his knuckleball.
David Pauley, Pawtucket (AAA)
11-2, 3.24 ERA, 105.2 IP, 70 SO, 30 BB
Pauley is the typical fringe MLB/AAA pitcher, except he hasn't really gotten a shot to succeed in the MLB. He's had a few shots, but hasn't been that good. This has been by-far his best season. He should see some time in Boston in September at least.
Felix Doubront, Greenville (A)
9-6, 3.50 ERA, 87.1 IP, 87 SO, 15 BB
The new King Felix is having a strong season in Greenville. His K/BB has always been good. I'd like to see what he can do in higher levels like Lancaster or Portland.
Brock Huntzinger, Lowell (A-)
3-0, 0.58 ERA, 31.0 IP, 25 SO, 2 BB
More small samples, but so far so good. Let's get him to Greenville and see what he's made of.
RELIEF PITCHER
Hunter Jones, Pawtucket (AAA)
5-2, 3.16 ERA, 31.1 IP, 34 SO, 6 BB
Jones started in Portland kicking ass (1.19 ERA, 22 IP, 26 SO) and has continued his work by doing the same in Pawtucket. He's a very interesting prospect. I have no idea what he could do in Boston, but I'd love to see him pitch. He even pitched well in The Hitter's Haven (Lancaster) last season.
CLOSER
Chris Smith, Pawtucket (AAA)
1-3, 2.15 ERA, 46 IP, 42 SO, 8 BB, 9 saves
Smith has been an up and down prospect, plagued by injuries. But it seems like he's finally found it. He has pitched well in Pawtucket so far this season and has even seen time in Boston (6.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 BB, 4 K). I'm not sure of his future, but the numbers now aren't bad.
Is there someone we missed? Someone you'd like to nominate for an honorable mention of some sort? Let us know what you think. Reply with a comment.