:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69714974/1231480387.0.jpg)
We are back for Episode 23 of the Red Sox On Deck Podcast, your go-to source for everything prospects on the Over the Monster Podcast Network. We started with two pieces of news from Worcester, which led to a lengthy venting session. Chris Sale, in his final rehab start on Saturday, went 4 2⁄3 shutout innings with nine strikeouts. Yairo Muñoz, meanwhile, has a 32-game hitting streak at Triple-A and is hitting .388 with 14 steals since July 1. Might either of these players have provided a spark to the major league club over the last two weeks? Bob and Shelly discussed the lack of urgency involved with leaving these great performances at a minor-league level and refusal to stray from the plan in Boston. Flexibility and options on the 26-man major league roster and 40-man are great in the first half of the season, but it doesn’t do you any good in August when you’re in danger of falling to fourth place and have the lowest wOBA in all of baseball at first base.
In some minor league moves, Delino DeShields was traded from Texas for cash considerations presumably to fill-in for the recent loss of Marcus Wilson from the 40-man roster. A pair of 29-year-old pitchers, José de León and Alex Claudio, were signed to minor-league deals.
We also discuss Jeter Downs’ struggles (0-28 with 16 K’s over his last eight games) and whether a demotion to Portland, a level that he essentially skipped due to the pandemic, to gain some confidence late in the season could be helpful or harmful. Finally, Nick Yorke continues to stay on fire with a 19-game hitting streak (ed. note: Now 20 games), and Brayan Bello struck out double digit batters for the fifth time this season.
We hope you enjoyed the show and if you did, make sure you subscribe to us on iTunes, Google Podcast, Spotify, or Stitcher. Also give the show a review. Five star reviews help us get in more ears and grow the show. Be sure to also follow us on Twitter. You can find Bob @BobOsgood15 and Shelly @ShellyV_643. Thanks for listening!