But who’s the next purebred, homegrown Red Sox All-Star?
Boston has had a strong minor league system in recent years, proven by its ability to rely on young players to jump into either starting or emergency roles. But this past summer, position-player call-ups such as Josh Reddick (.169 BA, two homers), Aaron Bates (first base) and Dusty Brown (catcher) either didn’t make the impact in which previous prospects made or don’t have much of a future in the organization. This may be viewed as a positive sign for Terry Francona’s crew which, for the most part, was both healthy and deep.
This coming year, there’s no telling who or what position will be needed. As of now, there are a handful of positions assumed to be locked up: catcher (Victor Martinez, Jason Varitek), first base (Kevin Youkilis, Martinez), second base (Dustin Pedroia), third base (Mike Lowell, Youkilis), center field (Jacoby Ellsbury) and right field (J.D. Drew). This leaves two openings in the outfield (left and fourth outfielder) and the shortstop position.
With Jed Lowrie the lone shortstop in the entire system with more than Double-A experience, not many in-house players are knocking on the Fenway door to get a cup of coffee this coming summer.
Many pegged first baseman Lars Anderson as ready to wave his big bat at Yawkey Way next season, but after a disappointing 2009 in Portland (.233 BA, nine home runs, 51 RBIs), Anderson is going to have to prove he can handle himself at the Double- and Triple-A levels before getting a shot this season.
Outfield is likely a good position for Red Sox prospects who want a taste of the MLB limelight in 2010, and one player, Ryan Kalish, may be the top name on the list heading out of spring training. Kalish finished his fourth career professional season in Double-A this past summer and posted a .271 BA in 103 games after an early promotion from Single-A Salem.
While Kalish currently sits behind Reddick on the depth chart, Kalish was actually drafted higher (ninth round) than the 22-year-old Reddick (17th round) in 2006, but it was Reddick who saw 59 at-bats for Boston this past summer. Ironically, Reddick had a very similar — and arguably less productive — season in Portland and Pawtucket, where he hit a combined .245 with 13 homers and 37 RBIs.
Kalish, a 21-year-old New Jersey native, played in just 21 games in the 2007 season with a wrist injury that affected a portion of his 2008 campaign, but the 6-foot, 200-pounder came back strong this past season to earn the 2009 Red Sox Minor League Player of the Year Award.
The left-handed Kalish hits to all fields, which is a key factor for Red Sox prospects with the Green Monster’s shallow wall in left. Although he is pegged to be either a center fielder or right fielder, Kalish has the intelligence, speed and athleticism to mold into a left fielder, especially at Fenway Park. The potential future leadoff hitter also swiped 14 bags in 16 attempts last summer and stole 18 in just 23 games in 2007 before his injury.
With speed and pop, Kalish can fit in anywhere in the lineup and should get a chance next summer in the Fens to prove it.
NESN.com will be answering one Red Sox question every day in
November.
Saturday, Nov. 14: Who’s the next breakout pitching prospect?
Monday, Nov. 16: Can Clay Buchholz live up to expectations again?
