Lowell W 11-3
Grant Williams, 2B: 3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 SB
Jonathan Ortega, SS: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 BB, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 SB, 1 E
Rafael Devers, 3B: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 E
Devlin Granberg, 1B: 1-2, 1 2B, 2 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI
Tyler Dearden, LF: 3-5, 1 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI
Dylan Hardy, CF: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 CS
The Spinners had been struggling a bit after the latest wave of promotions throughout the organization, but apparently they just needed an appearance from a major leaguer to get back on track. Devers hit a homer in this game, and his presence was clearly the biggest story. Fun fact from our friend Chris Hatfield from Sox Prospects: Devers is younger than 17 of 33 active players on the Spinners roster. Bananas! In addition to Devers, Dearden continues to impress in Lowell and the 2017 draftee is up to an .813 OPS on the year.
GCL L 2-3
Juan Carlos Abreu, LF: 1-5
Brandon Howlett, 3B: 1-4, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 E
Nicholas Northcut, DH: 1-3, 1 BB
Elih Marrero, C: 3-4, 1 2B, 2 R, 1 K
Zach Schellenger: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 K
We haven’t really talked about Marrero yet this year, but the 2018 eighth round pick did have a big game on Monday. The catcher does have some talent and was a Mississippi State recruit before transferring due to off-the-field issues, but it hasn’t translated just yet. The thing to remember in these rookie leagues is that there are often more catchers than a normal roster, so it’s hard for these guys to get into a real rhythm.
DSL 1 L 0-9
Gilberto Jimenez, CF: 1-4, 1 2B, 1 SB
Carlos Sanchez, DH: 2-4, 1 K
DSL 2 L 1-2 (F/10)
Nelfy Abreu, CF: 2-4, 1 BB, 1 SB
Oscar Rangel, C: 0-2, 3 BB, 1 R
Gregori Custodio, 2B: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 CS
Andres Gari, DH: 1-3, 2 BB, 1 K
Jose Ramirez: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
Speaking of low-level catchers, Rangel has been quietly impressive in the DSL this summer. Granted, the bar is very low at the plate for his position, but he has an OBP almost 100 points higher than his batting average and a solid .736 OPS. He is 20 years old so success at this level is expected on that front, but he was also signed back in February and was not very high-profile, so he’s putting himself on the map for a Stateside promotion next year, at least.
Player of the Day: There were a whole lot of Spinners hitters who had a case to get this today, but I’m going to give this one to Tyler Dearden. In a system without a whole lot of exciting outfield prospects, he is at least one to watch the rest of the year as he prepares for a likely full-season debut in 2019.