The Salem Red Sox couldn’t repeat as Mills Cup champions in 2014.
Boston’s High-A affiliate still ensured the Red Sox’s minor league success extended into the lower levels, though. Salem marched into the playoffs and fell one win short of the Carolina League finals.
Salem certainly served as a stage for several important organizational developments this season. A few players who finished the year with Salem could wind up in Double-A Portland before long.
Salem’s 2014 Season
— 68-68 (33-35 in first half, 35-33 in second half)
— Lost to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in the semifinals
— Offense: .261 average (second), .338 on-base percentage (second), 72 homers (fifth), 648 runs scored (second)
— Pitching: 4.09 ERA (fifth), 1.37 WHIP (fifth), strikeouts, 1,013 (fifth)
Most Valuable Player: Matty Johnson, OF (132 games, .276/.377/.375, four homers, 55 RBIs, 40 stolen bases)
Johnson spent the duration of 2014 with Salem. The 26-year-old was a force on the bases, though he was caught stealing 17 times.
Johnson peaked down the stretch, reaching base in 30 consecutive games at one point. He posted a .365/.455/.522 slash line in that stretch and finished the season with a .302 average and .408 on-base percentage in 66 second-half games.
It’s possible Johnson could start 2015 with Portland.
Most Valuable Pitcher: Justin Haley, RHP (19 appearances, 11 starts, 92 2/3 innings, 7-4, 2.82 ERA, 1.08 WHIP)
Haley, a sixth-round pick in 2012, made his way to Portland, where he was dominant at times. The 23-year-old punched his ticket there with a strong showing in Salem, serving as both a starter and a reliever.
Haley, who figures to start next season in Portland’s rotation, benefited from improved control. He issued only 2.2 walks per nine innings with Salem after dishing out 5.3 walks per nine innings with Single-A Greenville in 2013.
Three Highs
— Manuel Margot’s future looks extremely promising.
Margot was promoted to Salem in August after playing 99 games with Greenville. The 19-year-old outfielder became the first teenage position player to reach Salem since Xander Bogaerts in 2012.
Not only did Margot not go through an adjustment period, but he also thrived in 16 games at High-A. Margot, who was named the Red Sox’s Baserunner of the Year, hit .340 (17-for-50) with two homers, 14 RBIs, three stolen bases and a .924 OPS. He’s now ranked the No. 3 prospect in the Red Sox organization, according to SoxProspects.com. His impressive tools make him a player to watch.
— Reed Gragnani showed a little something.
Gragnani was drafted twice by the Red Sox — a 27th-round pick in 2009 and a 21st-round pick in 2013 — so the organization clearly sees something in the infielder. He showed promise in the first half of 2014, hitting .326 (63-for-193) with a .423 on-base percentage and only 25 strikeouts in 52 games.
Gragnani’s second half was far less prolific, but the 24-year-old could make his way to Portland to open up 2015.
— Jose Vinicio closed out the season strong.
Vinicio, signed as an international free agent in 2009, is known for his defense. The slender shortstop showed offensive improvement down the stretch, though. The 21-year-old hit .286 (30-for-105) over his final 30 games.
Three Lows
— Simon Mercedes didn’t pop.
Mercedes was a breakout candidate before the season, mostly because of his live arm that can produce heat in the high 90s. The 22-year-old right-hander went 5-10 with a 4.76 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 19 appearances (14 starts). Mercedes walked 38 hitters in 85 innings.
— Cody Kukuk was a wild card.
Kukuk showed the good, the bad and the ugly. The 21-year-old southpaw struck out an impressive 10 batters per nine innings over 20 starts. But it came with a catch, as he also issued 8.1 walks per nine innings.
Kukuk finished the year 4-7 with a 5.26 ERA.
— Kendrick Perkins hit a wall.
Perkins, a sixth-round pick in 2010, hit .296 with an .826 OPS in 51 games with Greenville. The 23-year-old outfielder endured some struggles upon jumping to Salem, resulting in a .181/.280/.319 slash line with 35 strikeouts in 23 games.
