Red Sox minor lines: Is Wendell Rijo the next big thing?

Pawtucket W 4-3

Shane Victorino: 1-4
Will Middlebrooks: 0-3, 2 K
Ryan Lavarnway: 1-4, K
Bryce Brentz: 2-3, 2B, BB
Garin Cecchini: 2-4, K
Christian Vazquez: 1-3, BB, CS

Brandon Workman: 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K, 2 HR
Alex Wilson: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

This is the transformative moment in Christian Vazquez' career. The one where he realizes how it feels to be thrown out trying to steal a base. The shame. The embarrassment. This is where he realizes what he's been doing to his opponents, and vows never to throw out another baserunner.

Or not.

Portland W 7-4

Mookie Betts: 2-5, 2B, SB
Travis Shaw: 2-4, HR, K, E
Blake Swihart: 2-4, 2B
Sean Coyle: 1-1
Henry Ramos: 1-3, K

Henry Owens: 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
Noe Ramirez: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

That's actually two disappointing outings in a row from Henry Owens after starting the season with two dominant ones. Mookie needs to teach this guy how to be consistent.

Salem W 7-1

Simon Mercedes: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Greenville W 8-3

Tzu-Wei Lin: 1-4, BB
Manuel Margot: 2-4, K
Wendell Rijo: 1-3, HR, BB

Wendell Rijo seems to have taken a pretty convincing lead as the top performing prospect in Greenville. Hitting .333/.472/.571 in 42 at bats, the only thing that's not to like about Rijo's start is a high strikeout rate--11 in 42 at bats. Of course, that looks a lot better when you consider that he's mixed in 10 walks.

Oh, and he's 18. For context, Mookie Betts was 20 when he took Greenville by storm last year. It's not even one month into the season, but Rijo has established himself as the most exciting development of the new year. Almost makes me think the Red Sox should target players who tear their ACL.