| 24 February 2009
Lars Anderson (17), Micheal Bowden (83) and Daniel Bard (98) made Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list for 2009.
Anderson is the most exciting prospect in the the Red Sox system. He's a first baseman by trade, but he'll be spending time in the outfield this spring as well:
"Right now he's a first baseman. We feel like he's going to be good at that position," said Red Sox farm director Mike Hazen. "But if he's the best guy available (in the minors) and his only way onto the team is to play left field, even to stand in left field, I have a hard time thinking we're not going to run him out there for a few games to see what he looks like."
Bowden added 10 pounds to his already "Clemens-like" frame this offseason and could be pitching in the majors before the year is done. Brad Penny and Tim Wakefield currently round out the starting rotation and John Smoltz and Clay Buchholz will also be looking starts this season, but if Bowden can build on his 2.85 ERA, 183 SO line from 144 innings between AA Portland and AAA Pawtucket, he'll be in the mix as weel.
Bard has already been featuring his 95-100 mph fastball in spring training. Like Bowdne and Buchhholz, Bard's name was thrown around all winter in trade talks, but the Sox were smart to insist on getting faor value for all three prospects. No deals were reached and the Red Sox farm system remains stacked with talent. Bard will likely be the first name called should any reliever struggle or get hurt in 2009.
Orioles catcher Matt Wieters earned the No. 1 seed on the list and David Price (SP, Rays) and Colby Rasmus (OF, Cards) round out the Top 3.
Click HERE to see the entire list. HT to MLB Trade Rumors.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
