Red Sox Minor Lines: The DSL season begins

Pawtucket W 4-2

Marco Hernandez, SS: 0-4, 1 K

Josh Ockimey, 1B: 0-4, 1 K

Rusney Castillo, RF: 1-4, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 K

Bryce Brentz, DH: 0-2, 2 BB, 1 R, 1 K

Gorkys Hernández, CF: 2-2, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 PO, 1 E

Cole Sturgeon, LF: 2-3, 1 RBI

Erasmo Ramírez: 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K (90 pitches)

Travis Lakins: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K (25 pitches)

Bobby Poyner: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K (13 pitches)

The pitching came through for Pawtucket on Saturday, with the offense scoring a pair of runs in both the second and third innings, and the pitching staff being able to make those runs last the rest of the game. Ramírez has mostly had a rough year in the Triple-A rotation, but the former big leaguer had a strong outing here and will look to build on that. In the bullpen, meanwhile, Lakins recovered nicely from his last outing, which of course came in the majors against the Indians. Poyner, meanwhile, didn’t appear to be very dominant but made quick work in the final inning despite a pair of walks.

Portland G1 W 8-7

Josh Tobias, DH: 3-4, 1 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 CS

Brett Netzer, 2B: 1-4, 1 R, 1 K

Bobby Dalbec, 3B: 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 K

Joey Curletta, 1B: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 3 RBI

It was an exciting game for the Sea Dogs, who at one point trailed 6-1 as they headed into the fifth. A four-run inning brought them back into it, and they were heading into the seventh and final inning behind by two. Curletta ended up playing the hero here, smashing a three-run shot in that seventh inning to give Portland the lead, which they would hold in the bottom of the inning. Dalbec was the real standout here, however, with his second consecutive multi-homer game. He’s now up to a .253/.363/.523 line on the year.

Portland G2 PPD

Salem L 0-7

Jarren Duran, CF: 0-4, 2 K

Pedro Castellanos, 1B: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 CS

Ryan Fitzgerald, SS: 1-4, 1 K

Marcus Wilson, RF: 0-4, 3 K

Zach Schellenger: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K (27 pitches)

Salem was within one for much of this game until Down East put up four in the sixth and started to pull away. It wouldn’t matter either way as Salem’s offense had nothing all game. At the top of the lineup, we may be witnessing Duran’s worst stretch of the year. He has gone hitless in back-to-back games for the second time in the week and has only three hits to his name over his last six games. Even with that he’s still hitting .388/.452/.546.

Greenville L 3-5

Cole Brannen, CF: 2-4, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB, 1 CS

Triston Casas, 1B: 1-4, 1 RBI, 1 K

Kole Cottam, C: 2-5, 1 R, 2 K

Tyler Esplin, DH: 2-4, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 K, 1 SB

Brandon Howlett, 3B: 1-3, 1 2B, 2 BB, 1 RBI, 2 K, 2 E

Thad Ward: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K (88 pitches)

He didn’t pick up the win today as he was let down by his defense, offense and bullpen, but Ward continued what has been a tremendous season. With this latest start, Ward has now taken the mound for four consecutive starts without allowing an earned run, which is absolutely absurd. Over the entire season the 2018 fifth round pick now has a 2.02 ERA with 71 strikeouts and 21 walks in 62 ¹⁄₃ innings. Like I said last time he pitched, start paying attention to this kid.

DSL 1 W 9-3

Alixandri Alvarez, 2B: 2-5, 2 R, 1 K

Brainer Bonaci, SS: 2-4, 1 BB, 2 R, 1 K, 1 SB

Darel Belen, DH: 2-5, 1 2B, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 K, 1 CS

Alex Zapete, 3B: 2-3, 2 2B, 1 BB, 2 RBI

Jesus Rosillo: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K

DSL 2 W 11-6

Bryan Gonzalez, RF: 3-4, 1 2B, 2 HR, 4 R, 3 RBI, 1 K

Naysbel Marcano, C: 2-5, 1 2B, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 K, 1 E

Denny Daza, SS: 2-3, 1 BB, 1 R

The DSL season started on Saturday, and as always most of these names are unfamiliar to me. The international market just isn’t as reported on and followed as the domestic one. Still, there are some interesting names to watch, the most interesting of whom is Eduardo Lopez. He did not play for either roster in the opener, but the top international signee from last year’s July 2 class is presumably going to be in the DSL this year. Standing out here was obviously Gonzalez, another signee from last summer.

Player of the Day: There were a few big days on the farm on Saturday, with Bobby Dalbec and Thad Ward standing out in particular. But we’re going to give this one to Bryan Gonzalez, who mashed a couple of homers and a double in his professional debut. The outfielder was a bit overshadowed by the aforementioned Lopez in last year’s July 2 class, but Gonzalez signed for $500,000 himself, which isn’t nothing. Power is the most intriguing part of his profile, and it showed here.