Triple-A Pawtucket: Anthony Varvaro (RHP) and Ryan LaMarre (OF)

Anthony Varvaro does not fit the mould of the players we typically review in Fenway’s Future. He is not a prospect, but rather a 31-year old reliever who is working to get another chance in the major leagues. Varvaro pitched effectively for the Braves from 2012 to 2014, and got into nine games with the Red Sox last year before a torn flexor tendon ended his season in May. This season, Varvaro is again pitching effectively. In 27.0 innings for the PawSox he has only allowed eight runs, and has struck out more than one batter per inning. The strikeouts are promising but he also allowed 12 walks and already has four wild pitches, so his control is still a work in progress.

With the questions that loom regarding how the Red Sox’s bullpen will shake out over the next few weeks and Varvaro’s performance at Pawtucket thus far, he could get a call to come back to the big leagues soon. And if that call is going to happen, it needs to come now, as Varvaro had an opt-out in his contract that allowed him to leave the organization yesterday, June 15. Last week, Varvaro told Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal that he did not know what he was going to do about the opt-out, but he noted that he thought the Red Sox bullpen had plenty of options and was not in need an adjustment. However, given his previous major league experience and effectiveness, and current effectiveness in Triple-A, giving him a role in low-leverage innings could work out well. It is a small sample and almost nobody maintains reverse-splits over an extended period, but Varvaro has been tougher on lefties than he has on righties in his career. With this in mind, perhaps Varvaro could replace Tommy Layne. Then again, this might just be making a move for the sake of keeping Varvaro in the organization, while exposing Layne to other teams (he is out of options). Regardless, Varvaro is someone who should be considered to fill any opening that should arise in the Red Sox bullpen.

Left field is another area/position of the Red Sox that is in a state of flux. With injuries to Brock Holt and Blake Swihart, Chris Young has been forced into a starting role; a move that may be the best, as Rusney Castillo is still a mess at the plate (.245/.304/.320). Rather than Castillo, the Red Sox should consider adding PawSox center fielder Ryan LaMarre to their bench. LaMarre, a second round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in the 2010 draft, got a cup of coffee with the Reds last season before signing with the Red Sox as a free agent this past offseason. At Pawtucket he has performed very well. He has a .310/.377/.462 line, with five home runs and nine stolen bases in 13 tries. The stolen base success rate could be better, but otherwise those are solid numbers.

Adding LaMarre to the major league bench provides a versatile outfielder with speed; he is a center fielder but has played left and right field in the minors. The move also affords Castillo yet another chance to get regular plate appearances and work out all of the things that ail him. Castillo is not a major league ready player and it is really unlikely that he will become one by watching games on cushy major league benches. Adding LaMarre to the major league team requires adding him to the 40-man roster, which may be why the Red Sox have opted to shuttle Castillo back-and-forth, but the 40-man issue seems like a minor part of a decision that could help multiple components of the team.

Double-A Portland: Justin Haley (RHP)

At the end of the 2014 season, Justin Haley made six starts (37.2 innings) for the Sea Dogs and pitched well (1.19 RA9, 3.73 FIP). His fielding independent measure shows that he was basically the same guy in 2015 (3.83), but his runs allowed mark jumped significantly to an unimpressive 5.80. Much of the runs allowed difference was a result of a huge drop in strand rate. In 2014 only 4.9 percent of his baserunners eventually scored, while in 2015 that number was 37.3 percent. In 2016, Haley is pitching closer to his 2014 levels, which is good news for the organization. Over his twelve starts (61.1 innings), Haley has a 2.20 RA9 (2.58 FIP) with 59 strikeouts and only 19 walks. His strand rate, while high at 80.2 percent, is not dramatically above his career rate. Presently, he is in the midst of a really strong run. In eight of his last nine starts he has allowed one or fewer runs, the lone holdout a blow-up against Toronto’s affiliate in which he allowed four runs on two hits and four walks, while only recording one out. Ugly stuff. A positive from that outing is that he seems to have quickly put it behind him. His four starts since have all been strong. Coming off of his difficult 2015, in which he pitched well but allowed too many runs, Haley must be feeling better about his progress and ability to compete against quality opponents. If he continues to perform well a promotion to Pawtucket by season’s end could be in the cards.

Quick update on Andrew Benintendi (OF):

When we last checked in on Benintendi he was still adjusting to the Double-A level, having posted a .105/.150/.158 line in his first 20 PA. Since then he has a .268/.312/.394 line over his 77 PA, with a home run, a triple and four doubles. He seems to be adjusting to his new level quite well. Perhaps Benintendi can provide a Bogaertsian-2013 role for the Red Sox down the stretch and in playoff games this year.

High-A Salem: Ben Taylor (RHP)

Taylor, now a force out of the Salem bullpen, started the season as a starter. He made three starts to start the year, two of which went well. However, due to his overpowering fastball that registers in the upper-90s, the team felt he could be most effective in shorter outings as a reliever. The results suggest the team was not wrong. In his 30.0 relief innings, Taylor has only allowed six runs, while striking out 42 batters and only walking six. Seven-to-one is an incredible strikeout-to-walk ratio and one that foretells future success. It should be noted that Taylor’s move to the bullpen has not made him a one-inning-and-done guy. In fact he has yet to have a one inning appearance. He has made 11 appearances, on-average throwing 2.2 innings, and in two cases throwing four or more innings (4.0, 4.1, respectively). In that 4.0 innings outing, 10 of the 12 outs he recorded came via the strikeout. Clearly, he can be dominant. While it is not clear that this is the intention with Taylor (and others), I love the idea of the organization developing effective multi-inning relievers. They could change the way the big league roster is constructed, ideally allowing for a deeper, more versatile bench.

Quick updates on Yoan Moncada (2B) and Rafael Devers (3B):

Moncada’s season line has dropped since our last check-in, but it is still very impressive and strong enough for a promotion to Double-A soon. His season line currently sits at .299/.419/.466, with three home runs, three triples, 22 doubles, and 36 stolen bases in 44 tries.

Devers continues his up-and-down season. He seems to follow a couple of good games with a couple of bad ones. For example, last week he had back-to-back multi hit games, but then went 0-for-4 in each of the following two games. Regardless, there is progress. Over the last three weeks Devers has a .329/.368/.429 line, which is much more in line with expectations.

Low-A Greenville: Jose Almonte (RHP)

The 20-year old, Almonte has been another bright spot in the Drive’s rotation. His season started slower than he had hoped, as he was recovering from a hip/groin injury sustained during Spring Training, but since getting on the mound for regular reps he has shown what he can do. In six starts this season (31.0 innings) he holds a 2.90 RA9 (3.41 FIP), with 27 strikeouts and just 11 walks. His three pitch mix, mid-90s fastball, curveball and changeup have made him difficult for the opposition. For example, in his third start of the season, easily his best, Almonte held the Braves’ affiliate hitless over six scoreless innings; two walks kept him from registering a perfect appearance. With Almonte, and 18-year-olds Anderson Espinoza and Roniel Raudes, the Drive have an exciting mix of young pitching to track over the coming years.

Photo by Kelly O’Connor/www.sittingstill.smugmug.com

Triple-A Pawtucket: Matt Barnes (RHP) and Marco Hernandez (SS)

The future is now for Matt Barnes. The Red Sox have announced that he will take the ball tonight against the Indians in place of the injured Steven Wright. We have seen Barnes pitch at Fenway Park this season, but it was as a reliever and, to be frank, it did not go well (6.45 RA9, 5.84 FIP, -7.18 RE24). In his last stint with the big league club he made six appearances out of the bullpen before being demoted back to Pawtucket, where he continued pitching in a relief role. However, about a month ago the Sox decided to stretch him out for work as a starter, hoping to have him reestablish some sense of comfort by implementing his changeup on a more consistent basis. Since the decision was made Barnes has made three extended relief appearances – although performance made one of them a short outing – and two starts, and while the results have been lacking (4.41 RA9, 4.70 FIP, 12/11 K/BB), reports from Red Sox player development have been positive. The Red Sox are suggesting that they view Barnes as a starter and think he is capable of being a productive major league rotation member; something the team is desperately without. With all this in mind, it seems like a safe bet that Barnes will get an opportunity in the rotation for the Red Sox in September.

Marco Hernandez was acquired by the Red Sox in the deal with the Chicago Cubs that sent Felix Doubront to the windy city last summer. He opened this year at Double-A Portland and mashed his way to a promotion in mid-July. Hernandez is not known for his bat, and his numbers at Portland were well outside of what he had shown in his time at the lower levels of the minor leagues. For example, in 2014 at High-A Daytona he slashed .270/.315/.351 with a .328 BABIP, which amounts to a .246 TAv. But in Portland he slashed .326/.349/.482 with a .382 BABIP, all good for a .287 TAv. There is no doubt that the jump in BABIP contributed to his better numbers, but he was also knocking more extra base hits (23 in 122 games at High-A, 30 in 68 games at Double-A), so there was a chance he had figured something out. Since being promoted to Triple-A his production has been more in line with his A-ball numbers, which undoubtedly represents progress given that he is now facing higher caliber pitching. But, it also provides evidence that the great offensive numbers he posted in Portland were likely anomalous. In his 101 plate appearances for Pawtucket he has slashed .258/.277/.381, his BABIP is down to .329, and he only has six extra base hits. Hernandez has had difficulty with plate discipline, having struck out in one quarter of his trips to the plate while only earning a walk three times. Hernandez has a few more weeks to continue his adjustment to the new level. His performance the rest of the way and the Red Sox’s offseason transactions (e.g., a trade involving Devon Marrero) will determine the level at which he is slotted to start the 2016 season.

Double-A Portland: Carlos Asuaje (2B) and Justin Haley (RHP)

Carlos Asuaje is another undersized middle infielder that the Red Sox have found to provide considerable production. He has primarily played second base for the Sea Dogs this season, but has also seen time at third base. Despite his size (he is listed at 5’9”) he looks to be an offensive threat. Across Low- and High-A in 2014, he posted a .310/.395/.528 line, knocking 15 balls out of the yard and showing tremendous discipline at the plate (92/62 K/BB). This season in Portland, while he still hitting better than league average, his numbers have come down a lot from where he was at the lower levels. Some of this drop is expected given the change in level and the advanced pitching and defense that comes with it, but his reduction is considerable. One clear example is in his power numbers. This season he is only slugging .367 with a .117 isolated power. Despite this, he has maintained his advanced ability to make contact and be disciplined at the plate, as is evidenced by his 73/52 K/BB ratio. This is a really positive attribute to see in a player struggling with other aspects of his game; he is not expanding the strike zone to try and make things happen. If Asuaje can get back to hitting for some more power, that, and his defensive versatility, will help him advance toward a major league utility role.

At the end of 2014, Justin Haley made six starts for Portland and pitched pretty well (1.19 RA9, 3.73 FIP). By some measures that performance has not transferred to 2015, as he has a 5.61 RA9, and 3.79 FIP. So his peripherals, as well at least one fielding independent measure, suggests that he has been basically the same guy despite the wild difference in his runs allowed average. Much of this can be explained by the fact that in 2014 he held a ridiculous 95.1 percent strand rate, a mark that has dropped to 64.7 percent this season. Relative to 2014, on a rate basis he has allowed more runners on base and more have come around to score. Some of the base runner issue is BABIP, as 2015 represents the high water mark for Haley’s opponents’ BABIP by a considerable margin, so there is some bad luck involved here. On the whole, this season has presented a challenge for Haley in that he probably feels like he is pitching in much the same way he has previously, but is not getting the same results, which has to be incredibly frustrating. His last outing was easily the best of his season results-wise (7.0 innings, one hit, no runs, no walks, six strikeouts), so hopefully he can build on it over his remaining starts.

High-A Salem: Ty Buttrey (RHP)

The season-to-date statistics for Ty Buttrey at High-A Salem look fairly impressive: 17 starts, 94.2 innings pitched, 4.09 RA9, 3.34 FIP. The odd thing for Buttrey this season is that he seems to consistently string together a few starts in which he only allows one run, but then has a blowup outing where he allows five or more (Eduardo Rodriguez nods sadly). On the season he has nine starts in which he has allowed fewer than two runs, but then has four starts in which he has allowed four or more runs. Taken together he has been bimodal, albeit more good than bad. He has posted a decent 2:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and only allowed two home runs, both of which are strong signs for his future. Avoiding the periodic blowup start will be important for Buttrey’s future, but even with the rough outings considered he has probably pitched well enough to earn a promotion to Portland for next season.

Low-A Greenville: Yoan Moncada (2B)

Through his first 34 games (162 plate appearances) Yoan Moncada was clearly struggling to adjust to his new surroundings. He had a .229/.311/.321 slashline, with only one home run and nine stolen bases in nine attempts. Over his next 30 games (122 PA) Moncada has shown why the Red Sox invested so much in him. He has posted a .333/.431/.545 slashline with five home runs and 26 stolen bases in 29 attempts. Those are extremely impressive numbers, and likely have many clamoring to rush him up through the system. But Moncada still has a lot to learn. For example he will need to demonstrate a stronger command on the strike zone. He is striking out too often (22.5 K%), as he continues to adjust to hitting breaking pitches. His defense, which could be a plus tool, is also a work in progress as he gets more consistent reps. Moncada is an exciting player who has a long way to go before reaching Boston.

Short Season-A Lowell: Andrew Benintendi (CF)

We don’t usually write about players below Greenville, but the Red Sox’s first pick in the 2015 draft is worth mentioning given his remarkable performance to date. Benintendi has played in 34 games for the Spinners, accumulated 147 plate appearances and done real damage in his chances. He has seven home runs, four triples and two doubles, which is an odd distribution of extra base hits but provides an early indication of the combination of power and speed he possesses. To go with that power-speed combination, Benintendi has shown tremendous plate discipline, walking 25 times and only striking out 15 times. Like Moncada, Benintendi is a player for the Red Sox who has a lot of potential and a lot to learn before reaching Boston. Things are quite bright at the lower levels. [Editor’s note: Rumor is Benintendi is headed to Greenville. Woot!]

Photo by Mark L. Baer/USA Today Sports Images

Triple-A Pawtucket: Dayan Diaz, RHP and Mike Miller, 2B/SS

When the Red Sox signed Dayan Diaz to a minor league contract after the 2013 season, they were acquiring a pitcher seemingly on a downward movement toward irrelevance. The right-hander out of Colombia had been hit hard in the Cubs system, and with a limited arsenal of pitches appeared destined for a minor league career of being knocked around out of the bullpen. Diaz has found new life in a season and a half in the Red Sox organization, recently becoming one of Pawtucket’s most reliable relievers. On Sunday, the 25-year-old tossed his sixth-straight scoreless appearance, tossing 12.1 combined innings and dropping his ERA to 2.57 in 13 Triple-A outings.

At 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, Diaz is relatively undersized, but possesses a hard fastball that sits in the mid-90s and a plus slider with good break and swing-and-miss ability. Although he’s been used sparingly out of the bullpen, Diaz has been good for two-to-three innings most appearances. While his current scoreless streak is impressive, Diaz is still prone to allowing multiple baserunners an outing, forcing him to escape difficult situations. Given his 86.6 percent LOB%, he usually succeeds. However, Diaz has surrendered at least one hit in each of his Triple-A appearances, and his 3.64 FIP – significantly less notable than his ERA – suggests this current run he’s on may not be something he can withstand, even if there’s still good potential.

Mike Miller struggled mightily at the plate since being promoted to Pawtucket in late May. Really, it’s been a tough 2015 offensively for Miller overall. The 25-year-old had a rare productive holiday weekend, collecting three hits over two games, including a triple on Sunday, and scoring two runs. It was only the fourth time since June that Miller – a 2012 ninth-round pick out of Cal Poly – has collected hits in consecutive games, this after starting out hot upon his promotion. Given the abundance of depth and talent at the middle infield spots throughout the Sox organization, Miller would need to be outstanding to have a shot at sniffing the major leagues. He’s certainly been dependable with his glove, totaling just one error in a combined 34 games between second base and shortstop. However, with a .203 true average and an underwhelming 5-foot-9, 170-pound frame, he hasn’t done enough offensively since a solid 2014, or flashed enough potential, to convince anyone he’s primed to make a difference in the near future.

Double-A Portland: Justin Haley, RHP

If anyone can speak to a rough 2015 season, it’s Justin Haley. The righty has had a miserable year after six strong starts in Portland last season, owning a 4.01 FIP through 16 starts this season and making three to four earned runs, walks and many more hits a regular occurrence. The 2012 sixth-round pick out of Fresno State has seen his strikeouts go down and his walks increase, and he’s often struggled to make it through five innings. At 24 years old, Haley is a tall, strong pitcher, but is limited to a solid, low-to-mid 90s fastball, an average changeup and the occasional breaking ball that’s produced unspectacular results.

Despite the season-long struggles, Haley is pitching the best he has all season. He threw a five-hit shutout Sunday, going six innings and striking out six in a PawSox win. It’s the third time in his last four starts Haley has pitched a shutout and lasted six innings, and could be the start of a nice turnaround. Like most pitchers, Haley is at his best when he’s piling up strikeouts and limiting walks. That’s something he’s done effectively as of late, as he’s struck out 17 and walked four over his last three starts. Nonetheless, although he’s been a starter throughout his career, and has done it well lately, Haley seems better fit to pitch out of the bullpen long-term. He tails off as he gets later into games and his secondary stuff isn’t effective enough to last him as a regular rotation arm.

Photo by Kelly O’Connor/www.sittingstill.smugmug.com

High-A Salem: Tzu-Wei Lin, SS

With Mauricio Dubon being promoted to High-A and Jose Vinicio still playing well, finding regular playing time for Tzu-Wei Lin will become increasingly harder. Lin is a speedy, defensive-minded shortstop whose big-league journey will go as far as his glove will take him. However, despite fringe-average contact potential, Lin is using his bat to remain a regular in the Salem lineup. The 21-year-old Taiwan native holds a .261 TAv and .334 wOBA this season, and has been especially hot of late. Lin was on a seven-game hitting streak before being held hitless Saturday, going 13-for-27 (.481) in that span. He’s making more solid contact and has seen his strikeouts drop significantly in the last two years, making the case that he could be just as effective at the plate as with his glove. His offensive numbers have actually increased with each promotion thus far.

Low-A Greenville: Joseph Monge, OF and Bryan Hudson, OF

Joseph Monge is coming off one of his strongest weeks of the season, one in which he went 10-for-21 at the plate capped off by a four-hit day on Sunday. It was an important stretch for the skinny outfielder from Puerto Rico. Monge has spent his first three years in the Red Sox organization struggling to find consistency at the plate. He’s an athletic player with good range in the outfield, but has been held back by high strikeout numbers and a lack of overall strength. Monge’s a solid contact hitter, but making contact is still an important part of the process. This season his K% sits at 22.4 percent to go with a .258 TAv. Monge has made progress as the season’s progressed, something that’ll be necessary for the 2013 17th-round pick to ascend in the organization. Perhaps last week was the start of Monge finally discovering that consistency.

It took just six games in Lowell for Bryan Hudson to get the call to Low-A Greenville. The 20-year-old started the season hot at the plate and hasn’t slowed down since. He’s collected hits in all but two of his nine games in Greenville, and rode a five-game hitting streak into Tuesday after consecutive multi-hit games. A 2015 fifth-round pick, Hudson isn’t particularly big and imposing, but he has plus speed and finds the gaps effectively. He owns .325 batting average and .406 BABIP, but with an underwhelming .271 TAv despite his success he may be due for a drop-off. What is clear is that Hudson’s defense still has a long way to go. While his speed is an asset, Hudson needs to improve on his reads in the outfield and is lacking in arm strength.

Photos by Kelly O’Connor/www.sittingstill.smugmug.com