Hope in Beantown

[OmahaBaseball]

A good battle between two historic franchises. Despite a late-inning push by the home team, the Boston Red Sox (50-40) fended off the New York Yankees (49-43) by a 6 to 2 score.

Boston starter Jack Flaherty (9-6) went the distance, allowing 2 earned runs on 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 10 in the 120-pitch complete game; Game Score 75. At the plate, Kyle Teel (2 for 4, Homerun, 2 Runs, 3 RBI), Pablo Reyes (2 for 4, Run, RBI), and Rafael Devers (1 for 5, Homerun, Run, RBI) had a solid day in the win.

Despite having a respectable outing, Nestor Cortes (8-9) was saddled with the loss after permitting 3 earned runs on 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 11 in 8 innings of work; Game Score 69. Reliever Chase Hampton was tagged for 3 runs (2 earned) on 2 hits and 1 walk in 1/3 innings of play. JT Brubaker wrapped things up with a scoreless 2/3 innings. The Yankees offense was limited to Trent Grisham (3 for 4, Double, Homerun, Run, RBI) and Juan Soto (1 for 4, Homerun, Run, RBI).

Player of the Game: Jack Flaherty (Season: #7)

AL East Standings: 1st Place, 2 Game Lead

[OmahaBaseball]

It has been a challenging season for New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham. While his batting average remains below.200 on the season, Grisham had a tremendous week at the plate to nab the American League Player of the Week award. In pick up the honor, Grisham went 9 for 20 (.450 batting average) with a Double, 3 Homeruns, 7 Runs, 3 RBI, and 5 Walks for a slashline of .450/.560/.950 that created 0.7 WAR.

[OmahaBaseball]

What a week for St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar. In taking home his 1st career National League Player of the Week award, Nootbaar smashed the ball to the tune of a .500 batting average (13 for 26) with 2 Doubles, a Triple, 2 Homeruns, 6 Runs, 6 RBI, a Walk, and 2 Stolen Bases for a slashline of .500/.519/.885 that created 0.8 WAR.

[OmahaBaseball]

Wow, the Philadelphia Phillies (116.9 points) continue to roll as the top Power Rankings team in the league. The Atlanta Braves (108.1 points) had a solid week to move up from the 7th spot to 2nd place, while the Kansas City Royals (106.6 points) dropped one spot into 3rd place. The Boston Red Sox (103.1 points) dipped slightly into 7th place, and there is a new occupier of the bottom spot with the Los Angeles Angels (49.6 points) now having that honor.

On the week, the Los Angeles Dodgers (103.8 points) made the biggest jump, moving up from 15th place to 5th place, while the Houston Astros (77.0 points) fell a whooping 16 spots from 8th place to 24th place. Previous week's rankings: https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...&postcount=253

[OmahaBaseball]

With the MLB draft just days away, the Boston Red Sox agreed to terms with the Texas Rangers on a multi-player, multi-draft pick, cash included trade. My logic in making the trade was to move Benintendi and Westbrook while they were playing very well (crushing the ball at AAA and talented enough to contribute in the Majors but unlikely to find time in Boston due to crowded roster) in order to get a promising return of young pitching and draft picks.

I am not out much with Benintendi, as I picked him up off the free agent list (minor league deal with a $170,000 signing bonus) and Westbrook is on a minor league contract. In return, I get a few promising (but unproven) arms that hopefully amount to something. Because the value of the veteran players was greater than the pitching return, I was able to flip a few late round picks into earlier round selections. Of Note, Leiter is still on an 8-game suspension and will be assigned to a minor league team soon.

Texas receives:

Andrew Benintendi (30-year old LF)
Drafted in 1st round, 7th overall pick by the Boston Red Sox (2015) 
AL All-Star (2022); AL Gold Glove (2021)  
.266/.298/.330 with   4 2B,  0 3B,  1 HR,  10 R,   6 RBI for  0.2 WAR in  114 PA (MLB / 2024)
.276/.346/.415 with 207 2B, 20 3B, 79 HR, 478 R, 435 RBI for 13.3 WAR in 3887 PA (MLB / 9 seasons)

Jamie Westbrook (29-year old 2B)
Drafted in 5th round, 14th pick (150th overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks (2013) 
.299/.408/.540 with  22 2B,  3 3B,  14 HR,  51 R,  58 RBI for 1.7 WAR in  346 PA (AAA / 2024)
.280/.349/.441 with 238 2B, 31 3B, 134 HR, 659 R, 622 RBI for 2.8 WAR in 4892 PA (R, A, A+, AA, AAA / 11 seasons)

Cam Booser (32-year old RP)
Signed as a free agent by the Minnesota Twins (2013) 
 1-2 W/L record with  37 K,   8 BB, and 4.11 ERA for 0.5 WAR in  35 1/3 IP (AA / 2024)
9-17 W/L record with 291 K, 152 BB, and 4.68 ERA for 1.3 WAR in 238 1/3 IP (R, A, A+, AA, AAA / 8 seasons)

17th Round Draft Pick (492nd Overall)
18th Round Draft Pick (522nd Overall)

Boston receives:

Jack Leiter (24-year old SP)
Drafted in 1st round, 2nd overall pick by the Texas Rangers (2021) 
  7-8 W/L record with 115 K,  48 BB, and 5.15 ERA for 1.1 WAR in  96 1/3 IP (AA, AAA / 2024)
12-24 W/L record with 338 K, 153 BB, and 5.29 ERA for 2.5 WAR in 273 2/3 IP (AA, AAA / 3 seasons)

Izack Tiger (23-year old SP)
Drafted in 7th round, 7th pick (201st overall) by the Texas Rangers (2023) 
Current 233rd ranked prospect
3-6 W/L record with 118 K, 27 BB, and 3.07 ERA for 1.9 WAR in 90 2/3 IP (A, A+ / 2024)
3-6 W/L record with 122 K, 29 BB, and 3.04 ERA for 2.0 WAR in 94 2/3 IP (R, AA, AAA / 2 seasons)

Tyler Owens (23-year old CL)
Drafted in13th round, 20th pick (397th overall) by the Atlanta Braves (2019) 
 0-0 W/L record with  28 K, 10 BB,  6 SV, and 1.42 ERA for 1.0 WAR in  19 IP (A+, AA / 2024)
5-15 W/L record with 211 K, 78 BB, 16 SV, and 4.07 ERA for 3.4 WAR in 188 IP (R, A, A+, AA / 5 seasons)

3rd Round Draft Pick  (83rd Overall)
6th Round Draft Pick (173rd Overall)
$1,509,264 cash

[OmahaBaseball]

An outstanding pitching performance by Tanner Houck provided the Boston Red Sox (51-40) with a 4 to 0 victory over the visiting Oakland Athletics (41-52).

Starter Tanner Houck (10-6) was dialed in today, as he picked up the win by tossing 8 innings of scoreless ball in which he scattered 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 6; Game Score 79. Liam Hendriks (SV 16) earned the save for his scoreless inning of work in which he walked 1 and struck out 3. At the plate, Vaughn Grissom (3 for 4, Run, 2 RBI), Tristan Casas (2 for 4, Double, RBI, Walk), and Jarren Duran (2 for 4, Run) played well for Boston.

Oakland turned to Mitch Spence (6-7) but was let down with the loss after he allowed 4 runs (2 earned) on 9 hits and 4 walks while striking out 5 in 6 1/3 innings of play; Game Score 44. Reliever T.J. McFarland kept things in check for 1 2/3 innings. The offense was limited to Esteury Ruiz (1 for 3, Double, Walk) and Zack Gelof (1 for 3, Walk).

Player of the Game: Tanner Houck (Season: #7)

AL East Standings: 1st Place, 2 Game Lead

[OmahaBaseball]

Chicago Cubs budding star pitcher Justin Steele was dialed in against the Baltimore Orioles. In picking up the 1-0 win, Steele allowed just 1 hit while striking out 13 in the 103-pitch, complete-game victory; Game Score 98.

[OmahaBaseball]

Another nice outing by a Boston starter, with Kutter Crawford keeping things in check. On the day, the Boston Red Sox (52-40) beat the Oakland Athletics (41-53) by a 4 to 1 score.

This was a nice performance by Kutter Crawford (7-7) who allowed 1 earned run on 7 hits and 1 walk while striking out 10 in 8 innings of work; Game Score 73. Closer Liam Hendriks (SV 17) had a shutdown final inning to earn the save. Boston was led at the plate by Jarren Duran (2 for 3, Homerun, 2 Runs, RBI, Walk), Masataka Yoshida (2 for 4, Double), and Marcelo Mayer (1 for 3, Run).

Oakland starter Ross Stripling (6-8) was tagged with the loss after allowing 4 earned runs on 8 hits and 2 walks in 7 innings of play; Game Score 46. Zach Jackson pitched a scoreless inning in relief. JJ Bleday (2 for 4, Double), Nick Allen (1 for 4, Triple, RBI), and Esteury Ruiz (2 for 4, Stolen Base) played well on the day.

Player of the Game: Kutter Crawford (Season: #7)

AL East Standings: 1st Place, 3 Game Lead

[OmahaBaseball]

The big draft day is here, and the top prospects will soon learn who they will play for. The Red Sox have the 12th overall pick and while the analysts Georgia star Charlie Condon (.274/.355/.494 in 293 PA) slated in this spot, chatter from the Boston front office have the team's sights set on Wake Forest pitcher Chase Burns (7-3, 3.36 ERA, 107 K's in 93 2/3 IP). The projected top-10 list is as follows:

[OmahaBaseball]

The big draft day is here, and the top prospects will soon learn who they will play for. The Red Sox have the 12th overall pick and while the analysts have University of Georgia star Charlie Condon (.274/.355/.494 in 293 PA) slated in this spot, chatter from the Boston front office have the team's sights set on Wake Forest pitcher Chase Burns (7-3, 3.36 ERA, 107 K's in 93 2/3 IP). The projected top-10 list is as follows:

[OmahaBaseball]

The 1st round is over and the Oakland Athletics took the "sure" choice and selected Oregon State infielder Travis Bazzana as the top overall selection. University of Georgia outfielder Charlie Condon moved up from the projection lists, as he was taken 2nd overall by the Kansas City Royals. The Boston Red Sox were able to get their top choice in Wake Forest pitcher Chase Burns with the 12th overall selection.

[OmahaBaseball]

A look at the players selected by Boston in the 2024 MLB Draft. Of the 18 total players selected, the Red Sox went with 7 SP, 1 RP, 3 C, 4 SS, 1 3B, and 3 RF:

Chase Burns (21-year old SP)
Drafted in 1st round, 12th overall selection; Wake Forest University / Comp Level Great
7-3 W/L record with 107 K, 36 BB, and 3.36 ERA for 2.3 WAR in 93 2/3 IP 

Kevin Bazzell (21-year old C)
Drafted in 2nd round, 12th pick (51st overall); Dallas Baptist University / Comp Level Great
.262/.326/.426 with 15 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 61 R, 62 RBI for 0.4 WAR in 350 PA 

Duncan Marsten (19-year old SP)
Drafted in 3rd round, 12th pick (81st overall); Harvard-Westlake HS / Comp Level Good
8-1 W/L record with 128 K, 19 BB, and 1.67 ERA for 4.6 WAR in 86 1/3 IP 

Noah Sheffield  (18-year old SS)
Drafted in 3rd round, 23rd pick (92nd overall); Tampa Prep HS / Comp Level Average
.454/.510/.623 with 18 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 78 R, 51 RBI for 3.1 WAR in 206 PA

William Kirk (18-year old SP)
Drafted in 4th round, 12th pick (111st overall); Wilcox Tech HS / Comp Level Average
8-1 W/L record with 114 K, 17 BB, and 1.60 ERA for 4.5 WAR in 90 1/3 IP

Conrad Cason (17-year old SS)
Drafted in 5th round, 12th pick (141st overall); Greater Atlanta Christian HS / Comp Level Average
.454/.503/.697 with 15 2B, 5 3B, 4 HR, 59 R, 39 RBI for 2.9 WAR in 169 PA

Kellon Lindsey (19-year old SS)
Drafted in 5th round, 21st pick (150th overall); Cuthbertson HS / Comp Level Average
.443/.508/.665 with 17 2B, 5 3B, 4 HR, 66 R, 43 RBI for 3.2 WAR in 199 PA

Jared Spencer (19-year old RP)
Drafted in 6th round, 12th pick (171st overall); Kelloggsville HS / Comp Level Average
1-0 W/L record with 59 K, 6 BB, 9 SV, and 1.00 ERA for 1.9 WAR in 36 2/3 IP

Griffin Burkholder (18-year old RF)
Drafted in 6th round, 23rd pick (182nd overall); University of Tennessee Martin / Comp Level Average
.302/.353/.458 with 7 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 57 R, 49 RBI for 1.0 WAR in 283 PA

Josh Randall (21-year old SP)
Drafted in 7th round, 12th pick (201st overall); University of Arizona / Comp Level Great
7-5 W/L record with 128 K, 50 BB, and 3.66 ERA for 2.7 WAR in 118 1/3 IP

Ben Harti (21-year old C)
Drafted in 8th round, 12th pick (231st overall); University of Kansas / Comp Level Great
.293/.338/.423 with 9 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 45 R, 42 RBI for 0.4 WAR in 237 PA

Karson Bowen (20-year old C)
Drafted in 9th round, 12th pick (261st overall); TCU / Comp Level Good
.267/.316/.401 with 15 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 68 R, 59 RBI for 0.0 WAR in 345 PA

Drew Downs (18-year old RF)
Drafted in 10th round, 12th pick (291st overall); Green Level HS / Comp Level Average
.440/.503/.617 with 15 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 52 R, 38 RBI for 2.4 WAR in 165 PA

Dominic Fritton (21-year old SP)
Drafted in 11th round, 12th pick (321st overall); USC Aiken / Comp Level Average
10-4 W/L record with 128 K, 42 BB, and 3.23 ERA for 3.2 WAR in 133 2/3 IP

Carson Page (18-year old SS)
Drafted in 12th round, 12th pick (351st overall); Lowndes HS / Comp Level Average
.443/.503/.600 with 15 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 44 R, 33 RBI for 2.2 WAR in 157 PA

Ben McLaughlin (22-year old 3B)
Drafted in 13th round, 12th pick (381st overall); University of Arkansas / Comp Level Great
.270/.326/.412 with 10 2B, 1 3B, 11 HR, 63 R, 55 RBI for 0.3 WAR in 344 PA

Zach Edwards (19-year old SP)
Drafted in 14th round, 12th pick (411th overall); Riverton HS / Comp Level Average
10-1 W/L record with 147 K, 21 BB, and 1.65 ERA for 5.4 WAR in 103 2/3 IP

JonJon Vaughns (23-year old RF)
Drafted in 15th round, 12th pick (441st overall); UCLA / Comp Level Great
.262/.334/.476 with 6 2B, 1 3B, 17 HR, 75 R, 61 RBI for 0.9 WAR in 305 PA

Logan McGuire (21-year old SP)
Drafted in 16th round, 12th pick (471st overall); Georgia Institute of Technology / Comp Level Great
5-5 W/L record with 88 K, 32 BB, and 4.03 ERA for 1.9 WAR in 98 1/3 IP