During the Futures Game on Sunday, Pawtucket Red Sox manager Arnie Beyeler was a coach on the World Team, where he had an opportunity to coach the organization's prized prospect — Xander Bogaerts — and against the Red Sox' highly touted pitcher, Matt Barnes.
Reflecting on the experience before Thursday's game against Buffalo, Beyeler raved about Bogaerts' skill set and showered the shortstop with high praise.
"He fits in, he belongs there," Beyeler said. "He reminds me a lot of like Hanley [Ramirez] and [Alfonso] Soriano and those kind of guys. He always has a smile on his face and he can swing the bat. He has fun and enjoys doing what he's doing. He's a good kid and works real hard. The sky is the limit."
Bogaerts, who batted fifth for the World, went 1-for-4 in the loss against the U.S. team. But Beyeler raved about Bogaerts' professionalism, especially as the 19-year-old received his first taste of fame, when roughly 200-300 fans asked him for autographs.
"I saw him in the hotel and we sat and talked while we were all getting ready to get on the bus and things," Beyeler said. "It was a great learning experience for the kid and it was exciting to see how excited the guys were."
Bogaerts was hitting .286/.364/.478 for Single-A Salem heading into the All-Star break.
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Photo via Facebook/Xander Bogaerts
