:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/8187797/93393225.0.jpg)
It's been a bit touch and go these last couple of years, but 85 strong innings in Portland has been enough to bring Drake Britton back from the brink and into the 15th spot on our top prospects list.
Britton has been struggling to find his old top form ever since the Sox took the leash off in 2011 as he attempted to come all the way back from Tommy John Surgery. Early results in 2010 were excellent, but they came with a pretty strict innings limitation, and when Britton started pitching with an eye towards the fifth or sixth inning, he started making unplanned exits in the second and third after being knocked around the park.
For some, then, the 1-13 record and 6.91 ERA was a sign that Britton was done, and for others a sign that he was destined for the bullpen. And when Britton started 2012 with a 5.80 ERA in Salem it seemed that something needed to be done. Apparently the Red Sox agreed, and decided that the thing to do was to promote him to Double-A.
Shockingly enough, it worked. Britton produced a 3.72 ERA in about 85 innings of work for the Portland Sea Dogs. His peripherals were just decent, but with this being his first exposure to what is often seen as the make-or-break minor league level, that's entirely understandable.
Perhaps more than anything, this provides Britton an opportunity to start anew with his confidence back. He averaged better than five innings per start in Portland, too, so for now the dream of a hard-throwing lefty starter remains alive. Britton has still fallen a long way from his previous heights, but at least for the first time in two years he's headed in the right direction.
- Xander Bogaerts, SS
- Jackie Bradley, OF
- Matt Barnes, RHP
- Rubby De La Rosa, RHP
- Allen Webster, RHP
- Garin Cecchini, 3B
- Henry Owens, LHP
- Bryce "Wild Bill" Brentz
- Blake Swihart, C
- Brandon Workman, RHP
- Jose Iglesias, SS
- Deven Marrero, SS
- Brian Johnson, LHP
- Jose Vinicio, SS
- Drake Britton, LHP
Five more to go. The "rules" as per usual:
I'll name candidates in the comments below, and you rec the comment of the player you want to vote for. For those unfamiliar with how to go about that, just click "actions" underneath the comment and then "rec." Nice and easy, though you do have to be a member to join in.
On the off chance I forget or otherwise leave someone out, you are free to start your own voting thread for that player. I'll even give it a rec of my own to make up for your vote.
Vote away!