Red Sox Minor Lines: Kutter Crawford bounces back in a big way

Worcester W 4-1

Delino DeShields, CF: 0-5, 3 K

Connor Wong, C: 2-5, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K, 1 CS

Franchy Cordero, LF: 0-4, 1 K

Joey Meneses, LF: 2-4, 1 R

Johan Mieses, DH: 1-3, 2 K

Jeter Downs, SS: 1-4, 1 R, 2 K

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

Kutter Crawford (SP; W): 6 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K (75 pitches)

Seth Blair (H): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K (22 pitches)

Álex Claudio (SV): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (16 pitches)

This was a big start for Crawford, who has mostly had a standout season but had appeared to hit a wall prior to this outing. In his two previous outings before this one, he had allowed a combined 12 runs over 7 ¹⁄₃ innings. Considering he was coming off Tommy John, a tough end to his year wouldn’t have even dampered things too much. But the righty bounced back in a huge way with this start, and he really continues to be perhaps the most underrated breakout of the season. Already in Triple-A, he’s going to be in the conversation as major-league starting depth next year. He’s also eligible for the Rule 5 draft this winter, and will be a really interesting protection case to examine in the offseason. Offensively, Wong is starting to hit a groove, finishing with multiple hits in six of his last eight games. In August, he’s hitting .368/.385/.658.

Portland L 3-8

Danny Santana, CF: 2-3, 1 HR, 2 R, 1 RBI

Triston Casas, 1B: 0-2, 2 BB, 1 K

Ronaldo Hernández, C: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 K

Hudson Potts, 3B: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 R

Roldani Baldwin, DH: 2-4, 1 RBI, 1 K

Tyreque Reed, LF: 0-4, 3 K

Denyi Reyes (SP; L): 4.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 K (82 pitches)

This was a tough one all-around for Portland, but there was one piece of good news for the Red Sox. That would be a big game atop the lineup for Santana. Given the COVID issues at the major-league level, Alex Cora noted they may have to rush Santana back. A performance like this will make them feel better about that.

Greenville L 6-13

Christian Koss, SS: 2-4, 1 HR, 1 BB, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Nick Sogard, 2B: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 BB, 2 R, 1 RBI

Joe Davis, 1B: 0-4, 1 BB, 2 K

Brandon Howlett, 3B: 0-5, 4 K

Stephen Scott, RF: 2-3, 2 BB, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 K

Jaxx Groshans, C: 2-5, 2 K

Dean Miller, LF: 2-4, 2 2B, 1 R, 1 K

Brandon Walter (SP; L): 4.1 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 2 BB, 5 K (83 pitches)

Walter has been one of the best stories in the system this year, but this was clearly not a shining moment from the season that will be remembered. One bad start is certainly not a cause for concern, of course, and this is the first time he’s allowed as many as three earned runs since July 20, and the first with more than three since July 13. Sometimes this kind of rough outing is important for a prospect so they can show an ability to bounce back from a tough day.

Salem W 5-3

Gilberto Jimenez, CF: 3-5, 2 R, 1 K

Ceddanne Rafaela, 2B: 3-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI

Niko Kavadas, 1B: 0-4, 2 K

Nathan Hickey, DH: 0-1, 2 BB, 1 RBI

Blaze Jordan, 3B: 1-4, 1 K

Nick Decker, LF: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K

Matthew Lugo, SS: 0-4, 1 K

Angel Maita, RF: 2-4, 2 R, 1 K

Jeremy Wu-Yelland (SP; W): 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K (72 pitches)

Wyatt Olds (H): 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K (36 pitches)

Devon Roedahl (SV): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K (22 pitches)

We talked yesterday in this space about Rafaela and how he’s used his athleticism to produce power in the form of doubles and triples. Here’s just another example of that. In the month of August, Rafaela is hitting .268/.322/.451. As we also said yesterday, given the profile he’ll still need to start getting on base more, but this is not a bad start for someone who turns 21 right at the end of this season. Meanwhile, Roedahl just continues to deal out of the bullpen. He has a 1.59 ERA in 51 innings, striking out 53 and walking only eight.

FCL G1 W 6-5

Marcelo Mayer, SS: 2-4, 1 3B, 1 R, 2 RBI

Tyler Miller, 3B: 0-4, 1 K

Danny Diaz, 1B: 0-3, 2 K

B.J. Vela, 2B: 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Juan Daniel Encarnacion (SP): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Eduard Bazardo: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

FCL G2 L 1-7

Brainer Bonaci, SS: 1-3, 1 RBI

Phillip Sikes, CF: 1-3, 1 K

Freddy Valdez, RF: 0-3, 1 K

Tyler Uberstine (SP; L): 1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Colten Brewer: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 3 K

Not a whole lot to talk about with this one. It was another nice day from Mayer, who is really backing up the opinions of everyone who considered him the top prospect in the class. Obviously there is no need to rush him, but the Red Sox do typically get their first round picks a small taste of full-season ball the summer they are drafted. I wouldn’t expect it until the final week of the season, if it happens at all, but it’s something to keep in mind.

DSL Red W 11-4

Ahbram Liendo, 2B: 2-7, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB

Miguel Bleis, CF: 2-5, 1 HR, 2 R, 1 RBI

Enderso Lira, DH: 1-3, 3 BB, 1 R, 1 K

Luis Ravelo, SS: 1-3, 3 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI

Elvys Castro, 1B: 3-5, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 SB

Alvaro Mejias (SP): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Luis Talavera: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K

DSL Blue L 1-5

Juan Chacon, CF: 0-2, 1 BB, 1 K

Alex Zapete, 1B: 1-3, 1 R

Armando Sierra, DH: 2-3, 1 RBI

Royman Blanco (SP; L): 3.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K

It has been a nice first season for Bleis, who is the top international prospect for the Red Sox right now. It’s been a few years since a high-bonus signing has really panned out for the Red Sox, but this looks like another hit. That’s not to say we’re seeing another Rafael Devers or Xander Bogaerts of course — Bleis is still much too far away to say anything like that — but the numbers are good and the scouts who have seen him are high on the potential still as well.

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Player of the Day: Kutter Crawford

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