Red Sox Minor Lines: Franchy Cordero is trying to knock down the door

Worcester W 10-1

Jarren Duran, CF: 2-6, 1 2B, 2 K

Marcus Wilson, RF: 0-3, 2 BB, 1 R, 1 E

Franchy Cordero, LF: 3-3, 3 2B, 2 BB, 1 R, 3 RBI

Yairo Muñoz, SS: 0-5, 2 K

Jeter Downs, 2B: 2-3, 2 BB, 2 R, 1 RBI

Connor Wong, C: 2-5, 1 2B, 1 R

Johan Mieses, DH: 1-4, 1 3B, 1 BB, 2 R

Jonathan Araúz, 3B: 3-4, 1 R, 4 RBI

Josh Ockimey, 1B: 1-3, 1 HR, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 RBI

Raynel Espinal (SP; W): 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 7 K (94 pitches)

John Schreiber: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (20 pitches)

Marcus Walden: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (11 pitches)

Kevin McCarthy: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (18 pitches)

The Red Sox recently called up Michael Chavis to the big-league club, which was a valid move since Chavis was hot down in Triple-A prior to the promotion. But on those merits, Cordero is also making a hell of a case. He has simply destroyed Triple-A since his demotion, with this three-double game only the latest great game from him. He’s now up to 64 at bats since joining Worcester, and he’s posted a .406 average with a 1.290 OPS, with five homers to boot. There’s a solid argument he should have been up instead of Chavis, and either way he’s probably just about done enough to get another chance whenever a spot opens up again. We should also be keeping an eye on Schreiber, who has a 2.16 ERA on the season and hasn’t allowed a run in any of his last seven appearances. He could be the next reliever to get the call, although he’s not on the 40-man.

Portland W 9-4

Jeisson Rosario, CF: 3-5, 1 2B, 2 R, 4 RBI, 1 K, 1 CS

Triston Casas, 1B: 1-5, 1 3B, 2 RBI

Hudson Potts, 3B: 0-4, 2 K

Jhonny Pereda, C: 2-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2 K

Grant Williams, 2B: 2-4, 1 3B, 2 R

Frank German (SP; W): 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K (90 pitches)

Joan Martinez (H): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K (26 pitches)

Zack Kelly (H): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K (17 pitches)

Seth Blair (H): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (22 pitches)

This was a nice game all-around for Portland, but it was especially nice to see a strong performance at the top of the lineup from Rosario. Coming over in the Mitch Moreland trade last summer, his stock has been steadily falling for about a year now, and things have not been good this year. He entered this game hitting .254/.345/.295, and while the power is still not quite there he did add in an extra-base hit here. Rosario’s defense and athleticism provides him a chance to carve out a role in the majors coming off the bench, but he just needs to hit the ball with a little authority given his plate discipline to hit enough for real playing time. Hopefully this performance can be the one to get him to start turning things around.

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Greenville W 9-2

Christian Koss, SS: 1-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Cameron Cannon, 2B: 2-5, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 E

Tyler Esplin, CF: 3-4, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 K

Devlin Granberg, LF: 0-2, 1 BB, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 K

Cole Brannen, RF: 2-3, 1 BB, 2 R, 1 RBI

Jay Groome (SP): 4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 7 K (82 pitches)

Jacob Wallace: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K (14 pitches)

This has been a fascinating year for Groome on a number of levels. It is obviously an important one for his development as he has simply never really been able to consistently stay on the mound. Throw in him being added to the 40-man this winter, and the intrigue turns up a notch. The season got off to a rocky start, but he’s recovered a bit of late, even with some control issues this time out. Over his last four starts he’s pitched to a 2.95 ERA with 23 strikeouts and six walks over 18 ¹⁄₃ innings. He’s still not going super deep into games, but we’re finally starting to see some steady progression from the former first round pick, and that’s a start. In the lineup, it was Esplin leading the way as he’s quietly done a solid job in the middle of this offense.

Salem W 6-2

Nick Yorke, 2B: 0-3, 1 RBI

Gilberto Jimenez, RF: 2-5, 1 RBI, 1 SB, 1 CS

Matthew Lugo, SS: 1-5

Ceddanne Rafaela, CF/3B: 0-0, 4 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 SB

Nick Northcut, 3B/1B: 1-3, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 K, 1 E

Jeremy Wu-Yelland (SP): 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 6 K (64 pitches)

Devon Roedahl (SV): 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K (41 pitches)

This was a really interesting game by Rafaela, who showed off plus patience and athleticism in the victory. It’s not everyday you see a starter stay in for the entire game and not register a single at bat, but he pulled it off here with four walks. Patience and athleticism have been the name of the game for him this year, as he’s struggled to get going in the power department but is drawing walks, stealing bases (he’s up to 11 of those after Tueday’s action), and playing all over the diamond. He’s most likely just a utility man if all breaks right, but that can be a very valuable piece, and we got the full spectrum of what he brings to the table in this game.

Player of the Day: Franchy Cordero

Player of the Day Chart