[Vladman]

When you think about the Boston Red Sox, you usually don't picture an athletic group of youngsters with a ton of spunk and speed. You picture softball-style guts, scruffy beards, and pre-and post game brews in the locker room. But, this year more then most before, the Sox may look for their farm system to fill some voids "in the middle". Middle relievers and middle infielders in both triple and double "A" squads have to gear up for what could be the biggest moment of their professional careers: a trip to the bigs.

Some have had a taste, and the expectations for those individuals are a little higher then most. I'm talking specifically about 25 year old RHP Jonathan Papelbon, drafted in the 4th round of the 2003 draft. Kids got command of 4 big league pitches, including a slurve and splitty.(Curt Shilling helped him develop the splitter in the spring of '05) He logged 3 wins a 1 loss in 34 innings for the Red Sox in '05, striking out 34 in 34 innings of work (a trend consistent with his minor league statistics at all levels of play). Papelbon was a key part of the Sox playoff run last year, and he has quickly become a fan favorite, and a clubhouse favorite as well. He may start, he may work in long relief, he could also be the all important 7th inning man who helps set the table for Timlin and Foulke. He doesn't know what his role is going to be yet, but like most young guns fresh on the scene, Papelbon just keeps saying that he's just happy to be where he is, and he looks forward to helping the team win ball games. (don't you just love the "Bull Duhram" scripted baseball responses!)

The Red Sox have a better kept secret in 22 year old Craig Hansen (well, best kept secret from the general public anyways). Hansens got serious cheese, consistently tossing in the mid-90's, and his slider was voted the best in the system by Baseball America. It's also nice to know that a pitcher with his kind of stuff, already standing on a mound, tops out at a lofty 6-5 (can you say "tower-of-power"?). He's got a closer mentality, or so they say, and that false confidence will serve him well as he gets pounded the first few weeks he's in the show. In a very brief stint with the Sox in '05, he tossed 3 innings, surrendering 6 hits, 2 runs, a dinger and a walk. Still wan't to skip AAA? because he did, going from AA Portland (8 games). Experience or not, when you got it, you got it, and the Sox might need him to bring it at some point in the season.

Perhaps the biggest potential fan-favorite could be Dustin Pedroia out of Arizona State. He's like a young David "the pest" Eckstein. He's got great instincts for the game, liked to play hard nosed ball, and he's got excellent plate coverage and discipline according to most scouting reports. In '04 Baseball America and USA Today listed him on the First-Team All-American. The biggest plus for this kid (as I mentioned in a previous blurb) is that he is sure to get a chance to shine at shortstop with Alex Gonzalez playing in the World Baseball Championship. I've read some inside reports that indicate that if Gonzalez's shoulder doesn't hold up, the Sox may try and move him before the start of the campaign, opening up a spot for Dusty to take the stage. Whats great for this kid, is that even if he hit a buck and a half, it still wouldn't weaken on of the best lineups in baseball.

Manny Declarmen is another potential fan-favorite, being a Boston native and all. He appeared in '05 10 games and pitched pretty well, although a little erratic with his control at times. The organization likes his curveball, he's got a dandy that his utilizes as his out-pitch. Sox will take a close look at this kid during the spring.

Who else? There's Brandon Moss, Adam Stern and David Murphy, Moss being somewhat closer to pro-calibre at this point, but realistically, the outfield is pretty stacked right now, and Kapler and Mohr should fill in nicely as backups.

A lot of action for the Sox farm boys this year though. As always with rookies, injury plagued seasons usually spell a shot for these guys, so if you are a Sox fan, you should hope to see most of these guys as late season call ups. But for a couple of young-guns, a spot with the club is just a couple of good spring outings away.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Vladman

Who else? There's Brandon Moss, Adam Stern and David Murphy, Moss being somewhat closer to pro-calibre at this point, but realistically, the outfield is pretty stacked right now, and Kapler and Mohr should fill in nicely as backups.

Hey Vladman, Wher eis David Murphy playing this year and is he a projected to be a better prospect than Moss?

[Vladman]

sup Dark Night,

Murphy and Moss are at Camp right now, trying to do what all rookies are trying to do at this point, and that is hit .700 and force the team to put them on the opening day roster. Murphy and Moss are not exactly tearing it up in there first few AB's of the spring going 0-9 and 1-7 respectively ( Murphy has fanned 5 times ... ouch!).
So to answer your question. They will end up in AA or AAA. As for who is a better prospect? well ... Murphy is older, was drafted higher, is bigger, stronger ... so i'd say Moss. If you're scratching your head, don't sweat it ... it's simple. Murphy's one of those sweet swinger hitters with not enough pop ( kinda like a young John Olerud...with less skill.) Moss is one of those guys who's a true grinder, very hard worker, not as injury prone. I think he will ultimately be the guy to make a splash. Not a cannon ball splash ... but a splash.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Vladman

sup Dark Night,

Murphy and Moss are at Camp right now, trying to do what all rookies are trying to do at this point, and that is hit .700 and force the team to put them on the opening day roster. Murphy and Moss are not exactly tearing it up in there first few AB's of the spring going 0-9 and 1-7 respectively ( Murphy has fanned 5 times ... ouch!).
So to answer your question. They will end up in AA or AAA. As for who is a better prospect? well ... Murphy is older, was drafted higher, is bigger, stronger ... so i'd say Moss. If you're scratching your head, don't sweat it ... it's simple. Murphy's one of those sweet swinger hitters with not enough pop ( kinda like a young John Olerud...with less skill.) Moss is one of those guys who's a true grinder, very hard worker, not as injury prone. I think he will ultimately be the guy to make a splash. Not a cannon ball splash ... but a splash.

Aaah heck Vlad...I bought David Murphy rookie cards instead of Moss...where were you a few weeks ago man!