Major League Baseball has witnessed the emergence of several prospects this season, with the Boston Red Sox receiving contributions from highly touted farmhands Blake Swihart and Eduardo Rodriguez.
But while Swihart and Rodriguez are among those who have graduated from prospect status through their early-season big-league endeavors, the Red Sox still have tremendous talent coming up through the system. Three Red Sox prospects — Yoan Moncada, Manuel Margot and Rafael Devers — placed in the top 15 of Baseball Prospectus’ annual Midseason Top 50 list, which was released Monday.
Moncada, who signed a $31.5 million bonus with the Red Sox back in spring training, is the organization���s highest-ranked representative at No. 11. The 20-year-old currently is stationed at Single-A Greenville and is widely considered Boston’s top prospect, with some suggesting the Cuban infielder might have been the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft had he been exposed to that procedure.
Margot, who recently was promoted to Double-A Portland, ranks No. 14 on Baseball Prospectus’ list. The 20-year-old outfielder is a potential five-tool talent whose speed helped him earn Red Sox Minor League Baserunner of the Year honors last season.
Devers, who currently is playing alongside Moncada at Greenville, ranks No. 15. The 18-year-old slugger has tremendous power potential and has done nothing but rake since joining the organization as an international free agent in 2013.
It should be noted Baseball Prospectus’ rankings exclude prospects recently promoted, like Swihart and Rodriguez, and players selected in last month’s amateur draft. As such, Kris Bryant, Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa, among others, aren’t featured on the list despite limited major league exposure.
Nevertheless, the Red Sox should be pleased with their minor league situation.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@girl_iowagirl20
