Red Sox minor lines: The error-prone Yoan Moncada (and why it's not the worst sign)

Pawtucket W 2-1

Deven Marrero: 0-4, BB, K, SB
Allen Craig: 2-4, K
Garin Cecchini: 0-4, K
Marco Hernandez: 1-4, 2 K

Brian Johnson: 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Noe Ramirez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Brian Johnson seems to have suddenly developed a walk problem dating back to his major league start. Or, if you prefer, dating back to his incredibly long layoff between starts. One expects that's probably got more to do with it than anything else.

Portland L 12-16 (In 11)

Manuel Margot: 1-5, 2B, BB
Carlos Asuaje: 2-5, BB
Sam Travis: 2-5, HR, BB, CS

We've seen a few doubles out of Sam Travis of late--perhaps the first signs of his power appearing in Double-A ahead of this second Portland homer. Of note, though, that the last time Travis had an extra base hit before July 29 was on July 20, which was at the tail-end of a four-game stretch where he went double, homer, double, double. Is this just another brief surge? We'll see.

Salem L 0-5

Ty Buttrey: 7 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR

A very unusual game for Buttrey, who just seemed to completely lose it coming into the fourth inning, giving up four runs to the first four batters he faced.  Other than that, it was mostly quiet.

Greenville W 7-6

Yoan Moncada: 2-3, 2 BB, K, 2 SB, E
Michael Chavis: 2-5, 2 K
Rafael Devers: 0-4, BB, K
Nick Longhi: 1-4, 2 K
Javier Guerra: 1-4, 2B, K

Yoan Moncada's errors are certainly something that will need to be worked on, but that's kind of what was expected coming into this whole thing. He's huge on tools and actually has skills with the bat to back it up, but it feels like he might be running before learning to walk in the field right now, and when you combine a guy with the range to get to plenty of balls but not the experience to finish them consistently, they'll pile up.

At least those early-season hitting jitters are gone. .980 OPS in 122 AB since the break? Yes, please.

Lowell L 3-6

Luis Alexander Basabe: 1-4, BB, K
Victor Acosta: 3-5, 2 2B, K, E
Tate Matheny: 1-4, 2 K, SB
Josh Ockimey: 0-2, 2 BB, 2 K
Kyri Washington: 1-4, 2B, K
Austin Rei: 1-4, K

The very nature of Lowell means it's filled with players who might be called "helium" candidates. But Josh Ockimey stands out some for me right now. He's young enough that if he winds up making his way to Salem before '16 ends, he'll be ahead of schedule, and he's having a strong year in short-season ball right now despite one of his best assets--his power--not shining through.