Red Sox Minor Lines: Nick Yorke makes his High-A debut

Worcester W 4-2

Jarren Duran, CF: 1-4, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB

Yairo Muñoz, 3B: 0-3, 1 BB, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 E

Franchy Cordero, 1B: 1-4, 1 BB, 1 RBI, 1 K, 2 E

Connor Wong, C: 2-4, 1 RBI

Jeter Downs, SS: 0-4, 2 K

Jonathan Araúz, 2B: 1-3, 1 BB

Johan Mieses, DH: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 K

Delino DeShields, LF: 2-3, 1 3B, 1 BB, 2 R

Raynel Espinal (SP; W): 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K (90 pitches)

Stephen Gonsalves (H): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K (38 pitches)

Zack Kelly (H): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K (23 pitches)

Kaleb Ort (SV): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (21 pitches)

This was a nice all-around win for Worcester, though there really wasn’t much that stood out overall. The first thing that jumps out, of course, was Duran’s presence back in Triple-A. As we wrote yesterday when he was optioned, he’ll likely be back up in the majors early next month, but in the meantime he should get some consistent at bats here. And he did get a double in his first game back as well as a steal to remind us of his speed. It is also interesting that they are still playing Cordero at first base even without an ostensible need at the major-league level, though it probably has more to do with the rest of the Triple-A roster than anything else.

Portland L 3-7

Cameron Cannon, 2B: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 K

Danny Santana, 1B: 0-2, 1 BB, 1 K

Triston Casas, DH: 0-4, 2 K

Ronaldo Hernández, C: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI

Hudson Potts, 3B: 1-4, 1 K

Devlin Granberg, CF: 1-4

Jeisson Rosario, RF: 1-4, 1 2B, 3 K

Tyreque Reed, LF: 0-2, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 K

Chris Murphy (SP; L): 4.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 11 K (95 pitches)

Ryan Brasier: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (8 pitches)

We saw both ends of the spectrum for Murphy in this game, who has been one of the most interesting pitchers in the system over the last couple of months. On the positive end was the swing and miss. The southpaw’s stuff has never really been in question, but it’s still been impressive how he’s been able to continue showing it off as he’s moved up the ladder. He has 32 strikeouts in 21 ²⁄₃ innings at Double-A this season. On the other end, he was very hittable and did give up one home run. After his pro debut in 2019, his control seemed to be the biggest issue, but this season his command in the zone is what’s gotten him in trouble. That he’s been able to pitch as well as he has in his first full professional season certainly makes 2021 more positive than negative for the southpaw, but there are things to work on still. Hernández also continues his power surge going back to last week as well.

Kelly O’Connor

Greenville L 7-8

Nick Yorke, 2B: 2-5, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Christian Koss, SS: 1-4, 1 2B, 1 BB, 2 RBI, 1 K, 1 E

Tyler Dearden, LF: 0-4, 1 BB, 1 RBI, 1 K

Brandon Howlett, 3B: 2-4, 1 BB, 1 R

Joe Davis, 1B: 0-5

Stephen Scott, RF: 1-2, 2 BB, 1 R, 1 K, 1 E

Nick Sogard, DH: 2-3, 1 BB, 3 R, 1 RBI

Elih Marrero, C: 3-4, 1 2B, 1 R, 2 RBI

Jay Groome (SP; L): 5 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 4 K (86 pitches)

Ryan Fernandez: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (21 pitches)

Cody Scroggins: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (14 pitches)

It was a new level for Yorke, but it doesn’t look like he had any immediate growing pains as he has already picked up his first extra-base hit at High-A. As we talked about yesterday, Yorke is quickly ascending up this system and it is becoming harder and harder to convince me he is not the number four prospect in this system. Unfortunately, Greenville still couldn’t pick up the win as Groome really struggled in this one. The lefty had been looking better of late, particularly with his strikeout and walk numbers. This is his first start in which he issued at least three walks since June 20, and the first time his strikeout total wasn’t at least double his walk total since June 15. I’m still hoping Groome gets at least a start in Double-A before the season is over, but time is running out on that front.

Salem L 4-9

Gilberto Jimenez, RF: 1-5, 1 K

Tyler McDonough, 2B: 2-5, 1 3B, 1 R

Nick Decker, DH: 2-5, 1 RBI, 2 K

Ceddanne Rafaela, CF: 1-5

Blaze Jordan, 1B: 0-5, 1 K

Matthew Lugo, SS: 2-3, 1 2B, 1 BB, 2 R, 1 E

Antoni Flores, 3B: 1-3, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Angel Maita, LF: 3-4, 2 RBI

Alexander Montero (SP): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 2 K (54 pitches)

Not really too much to talk about in this one. Lugo had some good and some bad in this game as he finishes up what has been a disappointing season. He was the guy I was probably highest on relative to consensus coming into the year, but he’s just never been able to get it going. His OPS sits at .636, and more alarmingly he has a whopping 30 errors on the season. Flores, meanwhile, is still trying to get some positive momentum in his career after being a top international signing a few years ago. He’s been very streaky this year, and right now is on the hot end of the spectrum.

FCL W 3-1

Brainer Bonaci, 2B: 1-4, 1 R, 1 K, 1 SB

Marcelo Mayer, SS: 0-3, 1 BB

Nathan Hickey, DH: 1-2, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 K

Bryan Gonzalez, LF: 0-4, 3 K

Niko Kavadas, 1B: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 K

Yorberto Mejicano, C: 1-3, 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI, 2 K

Phillip Sikes, CF: 1-2, 1 BB

Luis De La Rosa (SP): 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K

Colten Brewer (W): 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Maceo Campbell (H): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Nate Tellier (SV): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K

This was the best start we’ve seen from De La Rosa, who was part of the package that came over from Kansas City in the Andrew Benintendi trade. His 4.26 ERA on the season is a bit misleading since all of the runs he’s allowed over his five starts came in one outing, but the strikeouts haven’t really been there before this outing. Having just turned 19, there is still a lot of lead time here, but scouts were intrigued by his pitch mix prior to coming over to Boston, and we saw a flash of that with this start. On offense, we haven’t talked much about Sikes this year but the 18th rounder from this summer seems too advanced for the FCL. There’s not a ton of room on Salem’s roster for another outfielder so it’s easier said than done to push him up a level, but he’s got a 1.101 OPS on the complex right now.

DSL Red W 5-3

Ahbram Liendo, 2B: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 RBI

Miguel Bleis, CF: 0-2, 1 BB, 1 RBI, 1 CS, 1 E

Allan Castro, RF: 2-3, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 K

Enderso Lira, DH: 1-2, 2 BB, 1 R, 1 K

Luis Ravelo, SS: 0-4, 1 K, 1 E

Andres Ortuna (SP): 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K

DSL Blue W 7-5 (F/10)

Juan Chacon, CF: 2-5, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Lyonell James, 3B: 2-6, 1 2B, 1 K

Giancarlos Santana, RF: 3-4, 1 3B, 1 HR, 1 BB, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 SB, 1 CS

Diego Viloria, C: 2-4, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Jedixson Paez (SP): 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K

Railin Perez (H): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K

It was a nice day down in the DSL with both teams coming away with victories. In the first game Ortuna stole the show. After struggling in the Dominican back in 2019, he’s back at the level and pitching extremely well this year. The righty has a 1.62 ERA over 16 ²⁄₃ innings, striking out 21 and walking only two. Meanwhile, for the Blue squad, Santana was the top performer. Like Ortuna, he struggled at this level in 2019 but he’s slashing .280/.438/.480 this year.

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