Red Sox Minor Lines: Brandon Phillips goes deep

Pawtucket L 1-3

Rafael Devers, 3B: 1-3, 2 K, 1 E

Josh Ockimey, 1B: 0-1, 1 K

Brandon Phillips, 2B: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI

Michael Chavis, DH: 0-4, 4 K

Tony Renda, LF: 1-3, 1 K, 1 SB

Chandler Shepherd: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K (99 pitches)

Shepherd didn’t have a flawless year as he converted to a full-time starting role for the first time as a pro, but he was mostly impressive and showed that at the very least he can be a multi-inning weapon out of the bullpen. This was a nice way for him to end his season, too, at least in terms of minor-league portions. Since he’s on the 40-man he’ll likely be called up to the majors at some point in the next week. I expect the same for Phillips, though it’s less of a sure thing. That homer can’t hurt.

Portland W 4-1

Chris Maders, RF: 1-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Deiner Lopez, 2B: 2-3, 1 3B, 1 BB, 2 RBI, 1 K

Dedgar Jimenez: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 7 K (90 pitches)

Darwinzon Hernandez: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 4 K (52 pitches)

Jimenez is a weird pitcher, and this is a weird line. On the one hand he wasn’t able to get squared up, allowing just a pair of singles. On the other hand, he walked five batters. Also he struck out seven batters in six innings despite not really having strikeout stuff. I don’t know. Good game, though. As for Hernandez, well, the adjustment he makes to more advanced hitters is going to be fascinating to watch next year.

Salem L 0-8

Brett Netzer, DH: 0-4, 1 K

C.J. Chatham, SS: 0-4, 3 K

Jake Thompson: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K (79 pitches)

Durbin Feltman: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K (36 pitches)

In what very well may have been Feltman’s final outing of 2018, he certainly wasn’t perfect but he was also a bit overextended. I think the hype for the reliever coming out of the draft may have been a bit much, but that’s not the same as saying he shouldn’t be a very, very good reliever. It’s not happening this year, but don’t be surprised if he makes his mark in spring training next season.

Greenville L 4-5

Kervin Suarez, CF: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K, 1 E

Jarren Duran, RF: 2-4, 2 K

Pedro Castellanos, DH: 0-3, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 K

Tanner Nishioka, 3B: 1-3, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 R, 3 RBI, 2 K

Nishioka is a guy who is going to be talked about heading into next year by those just looking at the slash-lines. We’ve talked about him a bunch this year, and I don’t want to totally write him off because I haven’t actually seen him play. Maybe he is actually really good! However, he was drafted in 2017 as a college senior and scouts aren’t too enamored. Those are the best stories to watch unfold, though.

Lowell L 0-5

Cole Brannen, CF: 0-2, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 PO

Nicholas Northcut, DH: 0-4, 3 K

Brandon Howlett, 3B: 0-3, 1 BB, 3 E

Yasel Santana: 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K (78 pitches)

It was a rough, rough day for the Spinners offense, including the top three players at the top of the lineup. Brannen did get on base twice at least, and considering how his year has gone that’s actually a pretty big game for him. As for Northcut and Howlett, well, they’ve had better days.

Player of the Day: It’s gotta be Yasel Santana. The 21-year-old had just gotten called up from the GCL for an end-of-year start in Lowell, and he showed he earned that promotion. There’s not much in the way of scouting for Santana, but he put up big results in short-season ball this year.