Red Sox Prospect Casey Kelly

As the Boston Red Sox enter the 2010 season, hope springs eternal as expectations for the team are high as always.  The pressure will always be on to catch the hated Yankees in the AL East.  But what does the future hold?  Boston fans can rest assured that the future of the team looks secure, as there are many exciting players in the minor league system to replenish the team for years to come.  Spring training is a great showcase for young players and prospects, and the Sox camp is full of them.

The Sox’ most prized prospect is pitcher Casey Kelly. Just age 20, Kelly features the standard arsenal for a young right hander with a low to mid-90’s fastball, curve, and change-up.  He is most likely to stay at AA Portland this year to continue his development and probably debut at some point in 2011.  The former shortstop and 2008 1^st round pick is the Red Sox most untouchable minor leaguer.

Ryan Westmoreland is local product from Portsmouth, Rhode Island.  A 19-year old outfielder, Westmoreland projects as a top-notch defensive player with great speed and base running ability.  He is a patient and disciplined left-hander hitter who can spray the ball to all fields.  Keep your eye on him, as he is still in the lower levels of the minors, but should be a fast riser and be in Boston in a few years.

Jose Iglesias is a 20-year old defensive prodigy at shortstop.  Signed in September as an international free agent from Cuba, Iglesias has already wowed the team’s staff in Ft. Myers.  While scouts say he must improve at the plate, he did manage to hit .275 in the Arizona Fall League in 2009.  Given the volatility at the position, this potential Gold-Glover could be in Boston sooner than expected.

While many Major League Baseball and American League teams play checkers, the Red Sox brass continue to play chess.  Excellent drafting and scouting has kept the team competitive for the last decade, and this trend will almost surely continue for the next ten years.  As other teams splurge on free-agents that are well past their prime, the Sox invest a vast amount of resources into their minor league system as they grow talent on the cheap.