Red Sox Minor Lines: Almost over

Pawtucket L 2-3

Rafael Devers, 3B: 2-4, 1 2B

Brandon Phillips, 2B: 2-4, 1 R, 1 K

Josh Ockimey, DH: 0-4, 1 R, 3 K

Aneury Tavarez, LF: 2-4, 1 RBI, 1 K

Devers now has a couple games in a row of hitting well and that is a good thing as he’s going to be activated later this week. He has extra-base hits in each of the last two games and will soon be battling with Eduardo Núñez for playing time at the hot corner.

Portland W 7-4

Chad De La Guerra, SS: 2-4, 1 R, 2 RBI

Esteban Quiroz, 2B: 1-2, 1 HR, 1 BB, 2 R, 2 RBI

Bobby Dalbec, 3B: 1-4, 1 K

It’s been mostly a lost year for Quiroz after he got hurt relatively early in the year. He’s done everything he can late in the year to remind people of his presence as a depth option in the organization. He’s 26 years old so it’s not as if he’s a young prospect, but this was his first year in affiliated ball. This was his third homer in eight games with Portland since returning from injury.

Salem L 1-3

Tyler Hill, CF: 2-5, 2 K, 1 CS

Brett Netzer, 2B: 1-2, 1 K

C.J. Chatham, SS: 0-3, 1 BB

Josh Tobias, 3B/P: 2-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Denyi Reyes: 3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K (61 pitches)

It was an interesting game for Tobias, who has also been hurt for a big chunk of this year and hit well since then. He’s too advanced for this level so I wouldn’t take the success too seriously, but it’s still better than the alternative. What’s particularly interesting is that he pitched and struck out the only batter he faced. I’m not sure why Denyi Reyes was removed so early.

Greenville W 7-4

Jarren Duran, RF: 1-5, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2 K

Tanner Nishioka, 3B: 3-5, 1 HR, 1 R, 5 RBI, 1 E

Pedro Castellanos, DH: 0-3

Zach Sterry, 1B: 2-3, 1 BB

Samuel Miranda, C: 2-4, 1 2B

Jhonathan Diaz: 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K (87 pitches)

Zach Schellenger: 1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (24 pitches)

Nishioka is finishing off the year strong and as we’ve mentioned in this space many, many times he is old for the level and this play isn’t representative of his talent according to scouts. Still, this has been fun to follow. Diaz has also been fun to follow and he now has an ERA of exactly 3.00 in 153 innings in Greenville this season.

Lowell W 6-4

Cole Brannen, CF: 0-4, 4 K

Brandon Howlett, 3B: 1-2, 1 HR, 2 BB, 3 R, 1 RBI

Tyler Esplin, DH: 4-4, 1 2B, 1 R, 2 RBI

Howlett is one of the more underappreciated potential prospects from this most recent draft. He was an overslot signing from the 21st round and the infielder has some loud tools that he’s displayed in his professional debut. In 44 games this summer, mostly in the GCL, he’s hitting .289/.402/.513 and this was his sixth homer of the year.

Player of the Day: There were a few good games here but I’m going to give this to Jhonathan Diaz, who has been underrated all year long and is a name to watch in 2019 as a part of Salem’s rotation.