Red Sox MiLB News: Top Prospects Heading to Spring Training

Three of the Boston Red Sox Top 10 prospects will be heading to Fort Meyers, Florida for spring training. MiLB.com reports that Henry Owens, Deven Marrero and Brian Johnson will head the list of non-roster invitees by the Red Sox. While all three may be a long shot to break camp on the Opening Day roster, an impressive go in the Grapefruit League by either of the three could boost them to the bigs some time in 2015.

Atop the list is MLB.com’s No. 20 prospect in all of baseball, Henry Owens. This will be Owens’ second spring training as he allowed four runs over 4 1/3 innings in his 2014 debut. Owens was drafted in 2011 by the Sox in the same draft class with Jackie Bradley, Jr., Mookie Betts and Blake Swihart. Considering all four of those players could legitimately be starting by season’s end, I’d say that draft wasn’t too shabby at all.

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The 22-year old lefty led the minor leagues with 17 wins over two levels in 2014. He finished the season 17-5, including a 3-1 run once he was promoted to Triple-A and tallied 170 total strikeouts and a 2.94 ERA over 159 combined innings. He was the Eastern League Pitcher of the Year, started the MLB Futures Game and even tossed a no-hitter in his magical 2014 season. While he is sure to see a few months at Triple-A with only 6 career starts at the highest level, a hot start, and a weak starting rotation in Boston, could see Owens in the bigs before the All Star Break.

Fellow southpaw Brain Johnson will be making his Grapefruit League debut. The 24-year old was the Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Year with a combined 13-3 record while posting a 2.13 ERA with a 0.97 WHIP and 132 strikeouts over 143.2 innings over two levels. Most impressively, Johnson was much better once being promoted to the tougher competition of Double-A ball where he hurled two complete games and had a remarkable 1.75 ERA. The 2012 first round draft pick has never pitched above Double-A, so expect him to start at Triple-A Pawtucket. He could reach the bigs later this season as a lefty specialist or long reliever, but Sox fans should temper their expectations and wait for him to join the rotation in 2016.

The last former Red Sox first round pick to earn a non-roster invite is shortstop Deven Marrero. Marrero was picked seven selections before Johnson in the 2012 draft. The 24-year old righty will have the toughest road to the bigs with stout major league talent in front of him.

The No. 9 prospect in the Red Sox system had a solid start to the season with Double-A Portland, but struggled once promoted to Triple-A. His .291/.371/.433 slash line in the Eastern League was encouraging, but he seemingly forgot how to hit once he reached the International League. Marrero has made his name with defense, but his bat will truly have to come around for him to crack this squad any time soon. Recently signed Hanley Ramirez is slated to shift from shortstop to left field to allow Xander Bogaerts another chance to show his is major league ready. That’s some hefty competition to fight through. Expect a full season at Pawtucket, but don’t rule out a September call-up.

Owens and Johnson stand a real chance to make it to the big show in 2015. Staff ace Clay Buchholz can not stay healthy. Rick Porcello and Wade Miley have been inconsistent question marks for their entire careers. Justin Masterson is coming off of a season that he seemingly fell apart, and Joe Kelly digressed after his big 2013 coming out party. The Red Sox stocked up on offense this offseason, but fans should be excited that pitching help is not far away. And in a few short weeks, they will get to see for themselves.

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