The list is coming to a close!
After some dragging of the feet here and there, the Over The Monster Top 15 Red Sox prospects is about to finish out. Yamaico Navarro slotted in at No. 14. Now we have only a few prospects left for the final spot. Voting will continue until Opening Day.
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.
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.