Lowell Spinners Update: William Cuevas, Kyle Kraus, Pat Light

William Cuevas, P

Cuevas has added about 30 innings since the last time we checked in on him, and they've almost all been great ones. He's had some solid ERA in the past, but his peripherals were never that exciting. That's changed a bit with his first season outside of Rookie League, as that 4.2 K/BB indicates. He's in his fourth season of pro ball, and is 21 years old, so don't get too excited, but it's still progress for the right-hander.

Cuevas has just the three starts on the season, but as you could likely tell by the 50 innings in 10 appearances, he's been shouldering a starter's workload anyway. July was particularly great for him, as he struck out 35 batters against just six walks on the month, averaging over a strikeout per inning while holding opponents to fewer than two walks per nine. August began much the same for him on the second of the month, with four strikeouts, one walk, and just one run allowed in six frames.

Keep an eye on Cuevas, as the Venezuelan is easily having his best season as a pro yet. He's not young for the level, but he's still young, and is in the process of justifying a promotion to full-season ball for the first time in his career.

Kyle Kraus, P

Kraus is 22 years old, one of this summer's draft selections by the Red Sox. The senior out of the University of Portland, Oregon has had his usage limited to just 9-1/3 innings, as, unlike many of the Spinners who were under contract prior to 2012, had already logged spring innings. Kraus threw 111 frames to lead the NCAA this spring, so Boston is using him sparingly while other, less-utilized arms get their reps in instead.

Kraus is throwing roughly every 3-5 days, and has just one appearance of more than an inning. Expect to see more of that as the year goes on, but given his age and four years of college experience -- as well as his ability to throw strikes -- expect Kraus to have a more normal routine with Low-A Greenville in 2012.

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Pat Light, P

Pat Light has already racked up more professional playing time than Kraus, and even went over 100 innings during his time with Monmouth. Light isn't being used constantly, but is in the Lowell rotation: he's had five two-inning starts, and his last was three innings. As they are doing with Kraus, and all of the other young arms at the level, Boston is keeping his overall usage in check while keeping him from getting rusty.

Light has been real good in his brief time as a pro, as the #37 pick in the 2012 draft was expected to be. Like many of the hurlers the Red Sox selected, it's not quite known if Light's future is in starting or relief, but that's the kind of question that doesn't have to be answered for a few more years now. For now, just enjoy that he's punching out three times as many hitters as he's walking, and prepare for a 2013 campaign in which he'll likely pitch for Greenville.