Bryce Brentz currently is not an option for the Boston Red Sox.
Brentz has shown enough pop throughout his minor league career to make him an intriguing prospect, albeit one with a few setbacks. It’s unlikely the 25-year-old outfielder will save the day for the Red Sox’s struggling offense anytime soon, though, as he’s still dealing with a hamstring injury that’s proved problematic.
Brentz’s injury was thought to be a day-to-day issue until he landed on the disabled list May 20 (retroactive to May 16). Brentz then experienced a setback in his rehab, and, according to WEEI.com’s Alex Speier, he’s currently working to get healthy in Fort Myers.
Brentz, who is on the Red Sox’s 40-man roster, would be a reasonable consideration if he was healthy because of his power potential. The 2010 first-round pick hit 30 homers in 115 games split between Single-A Greenville and High-A Salem in 2011, and he totaled more homers (36) than any other Red Sox minor leaguer between 2012 and 2013.
Brentz even impressed this past spring training, hitting .360 (9-for-25) with three homers, seven RBIs, a .429 on-base percentage and 1.149 OPS before being reassigned to minor league camp.
This season has mostly been a struggle. Brentz was hitting .230 with six homers, 28 RBIs and a .335 on-base percentage in 39 games with Triple-A Pawtucket before landing on the shelf. Those numbers certainly aren’t eye-popping, but Boston’s offense — which severely lacks power — has been unproductive for much of the year and could use a spark.
Brentz’s hamstring issue is the latest setback in the young outfielder’s rollercoaster career. He shot himself in the leg prior to spring training in 2013, and then missed time in July and August last season because of a knee injury.
Photo via Facebook/Bryce Brentz
