Big news for the Red Sox' farm system today, as Greenville Drive Media Relations Director Eric Jarinko has confirmed via Twitter that Anthony Ranaudo, the Red Sox' biggest signing in last year's draft, is headed up to High-A Salem.
Ranaudo was given a $2.5 million signing bonus after being selected with a supplementary first round pick in last year's draft after proving his top-prospect status in the Cape Cod League. So far in 46 innings at Greenville, Ranaudo has a 3.33 ERA with 50 strikeouts and 16 walks--numbers that may be hurt, according to some reports, by a curveball that's just too good for low-minors umpires to call correctly. In his most recent outing, Ranaudo struck out eight batters in six innings of 2-run ball.
At 21-years-old, this promotion will keep Ranaudo facing age appropriate pitching as the Red Sox try and work their potential ace up through the minors at a reasonable pace.
While the move was only confirmed in recent hours, it had been expected ever since it was discovered that Chris Balcom-Miller was being promoted to Double-A Portland. After being acquired from the Rockies last year for Manny Delcarmen (who is currently sporting a 5.14 ERA in Triple-A), Balcom-Miller has been entirely impressive for the Salem Red Sox, accruing a 2.34 ERA with 37 strikeouts and 11 walks so far this year.