Boston Red Sox Top Ten Prospects for 2017

Mar 7, 2015; Sarasota, FL, USA; A general view of Boston Red Sox hat and glove laying in the dugout at a spring training baseball game at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2015; Sarasota, FL, USA; A general view of Boston Red Sox hat and glove laying in the dugout at a spring training baseball game at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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10. Josh Ockimey, 1B

Birthdate: 10/18/95 (21 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: low-A
Stats in 2016: .226/.367/.425, 18 HR

If you’re only going to have one above-average tool, having power that is legit plus power is probably the best way to go. Ockimey fits that pure power swing to a T.

While the power is obvious, Ockimey does have a solid knowledge of the strike zone, as evidenced by his 141 OBP delta. Ockimey has had a reputation for being perhaps too muscle-bound in the past, at a point of inflexibility in his swing and movement.

Playing in Fenway would be excellent with Ockimey’s pull side power as a lefty hitter

Ockimey doesn’t have great hands at first nor the arm to handle the outfield, so he’s likely going to play at a DH spot going forward.

Playing in Fenway would be excellent with Ockimey’s pull side power as a lefty hitter, and having Yankee stadium in the division would not hurt, either. However, with Hanley Ramirez around for a while and Travis going to be coming up soon, Ockimey may have to leave the organization to get his chance.

As it sits, Ockimey will likely be playing at high-A as a 21 year-old in 2017, and if he can continue progress with his pitch recognition, he could really leap forward in the next year or two.

Next: #9