The Red Sox’s 2014 season hasn’t gone as planned at the major league level. But Boston can feel good about what has transpired down on the farm.
The Red Sox have had several prospects turn heads, including Mookie Betts and Henry Owens. Infielder Deven Marrero has been making tremendous offensive strides of late, earning Eastern League Player of the Week honors at Double-A Portland.
Marrero, who is known for his slick fielding, hit .650 (13-for-20) during the week of June 16 through June 22. The 23-year-old produced a home run, a triple, four RBIs and six runs scored. He led the Eastern League in batting average, on-base percentage (.652), slugging percentage (.900) and OPS (1.552) while extending his on-base streak to 19 straight games — the longest current streak in the league.
Marrero’s offensive improvement is extremely encouraging, as the 2012 first-round draft pick hit just .252 with two homers, 26 RBIs, 27 stolen bases and a .338 on-base percentage in 104 games last season split between Portland and High-A Salem.
Marrero, who is hitting .292 with three homers, 36 RBIs, 12 steals and a .372 on-base percentage in 61 games with Portland this season, joined Betts as the only other Sea Dogs player to win Eastern League Player of the Week honors in 2014.
The Red Sox knew they had a very gifted defender in Marrero, whose .975 fielding percentage is tops in the Eastern League. They’re now learning they also might have a legitimate bat, which could soon elevate the infielder to Triple-A Pawtucket.
