The Red Sox are always in player evaluation mode, as the club is known to have some of the deepest resources in baseball in terms of statistical analysis and scouting. However, it's undeniable that these last five weeks of the season have a special importance in terms of deeming individuals' value with an eye at 2013 and beyond.
On that note, it's probably a huge positive that Wednesday's lineup finds the Sox featuring four youngsters who have played their way into consideration for next year — Ryan Lavarnway, Pedro Ciriaco, Mauro Gomez and Jose Iglesias. And, interestingly enough, each has taken a totally different path to this opportunity
Ciriaco has opened eyes with his impressive play over 44 games in the major leagues — obscuring a lackluster minor league track record. Gomez, meanwhile, just captured the International League MVP by slugging his way to a .960 OPS, a breakout campaign at 27 years old.
Lavarnway and Iglesias, however, have always been highly touted prospects, though Lavarnway has hit his way through the minor leagues while Iglesias has relied on his spectacular glove.
All in all, it's about time to see what the kids have to offer. The Red Sox are absolutely going to have some money to spend in the offseason — having cleared about $260 million in guaranteed contracts off the books with Saturday's mega-trade — but to be truly successful they're going to need to find big contributions from in-house candidates.
It's about time to evaluate those candidates, so check out the lineups for both teams below:
Red Sox
Pedro Ciriaco, 3B
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Cody Ross, RF
Ryan Lavarnway, C
Mauro Gomez, 1B
Mike Aviles, DH
Jose Iglesias, SS
Scott Podsednik, LF
Zach Stewart, RHP
Angels
Mike Trout, CF
Torii Hunter, RF
Albert Pujols, DH
Kendrys Morales, 1B
Mark Trumbo, LF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Erik Aybar, SS
Chris Iannetta, C
C.J. Wilson, LHP
