Five players to watch at Double-A
Who to follow in Portland in 2023
For the next six weeks, I’ll be profiling five players from each level in the Red Sox system that I’m eagerly following heading into the 2023 season. This week it’s going to be the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs.
Last week’s write up on Triple-A Worcester can be found here- Five players to watch at Triple-A
Let’s go over the rules for how I select these prospects, or more specifically, who I DON’T select.
If a player is on the 40-man roster or has appeared in at least one major league game, they are excluded from the list. That means potential MLB rookies like Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, and Enmanuel Valdez won’t be included due to their 40-man status nor will MLB veterans like Niko Goodrum, Jake Faria, or Raimel Tapia. That’s it. Those are my only parameters.
On that note, lets dive on in.
Name: Stephen Scott
Age: 25
Bats/Throws: L/R
Position: C
Blurb: One half of the dynamic Salem/Greenville duo dubbed the Meatball Gang (the other being newly retired Big Joe Davis), Scott struggled in High-A for the first half of the season. When Nathan Hickey was called up to Greenville, Scott was promoted to Portland in a corresponding move. He improved when he got to Double-A, slashing .238/.375/.403 with seven home runs and 31 RBI over 256 PA after the promotion. His bat really got hot though when he entered into the Arizona Fall League. The Vanderbilt product participated in the home run derby and Fall Star game after slashing .298/.394/.614 with five home runs over 65 PA. Scott’s defense is still a work in progress. 2022 was he first season as a full-time catcher, and he only just started playing the position professionally in 2021.
Name: Niko Kavadas
Age: 24
Bats/Throws: L/R
Position: 1B
Blulb: "Niko Nukes" lived up to his nickname in 2022, blasting through three levels and ending up in Double-A in his first full season of pro ball. The 11th round draft pick out of Notre Dame was especially dominant at the lower levels before experiencing his first challenge with the Sea Dogs. When all was said and done, the hulking first baseman slashed .280/.443/.547 with 26 home runs and 86 RBI between Salem, Greenville, and Portland. He led the organization in walks with 102 while striking out 152 times. Kavadas has a good approach and quite a bit of power. The big question now is if he can adjust to more advanced pitching as realistically his defense isn't enough to ever be more than a below-average defensive first baseman or DH.
Name: Nick Yorke
Age: 20
Bats/Throws: R/R
Position: 2B
Blurb: The 2020 first round draft surprised many in 2021, tearing the cover off the ball and joining his fair share of top 100 lists. 2022 was another story as the 20-year-old second baseman suffered three separate injuries and struggled in his first full season at High-A. Nonetheless, he was amongst the youngest players in the league and didn't totally embarrass himself despite the setbacks. A solid Arizona Fall League stint that saw him earning Fall Star honors gives reason to believe he can right the ship. He'll again likely be one of the youngest players at his level. One way or another 2023 is going to be significant for determining Yorke’s future.
Name: Matthew Lugo
Age: 21
Bats/Throws: R/R
Positions: SS/3B/2B
Blurb: That Lugo received a non-roster invite to big league spring training camp speaks to how highly the organization appears to view him. Carlos Beltran's nephew, he was the Red Sox 2019 second round pick. Most recently in 2022, his age 21 season, Lugo slashed .288/.344/.500 with 25 doubles, 10 triples, 18 homers, 78 RBI, and 20 stolen bases for High-A Greenville, earning him a three-game stint with Portland. He then went to Criollos de Caguas of the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League to play winter ball where he slashed .275/.360/.450 with six home runs, earning him the league’s Rookie of the Year award. While his growth and improvement has been notable, he still needs to cut down on his strikeouts, and his defense is most likely better suited for third base rather than shortstop.
Name: Ryan Fernandez
Age: 24
Bats/Throws: R/R
Position: RP
An unheralded 2018 23rd round draft pick, Fernandez added some giddy-up to his fastball in 2022, allowing him to top out at 99 mph. The extra velocity compliments a cutter that SoxProspects.com describes as a “potential plus offering”. Over 39.2 innings between High-A and Double-A the 24-year-old righty posted a 4.31 ERA with 56 strikeouts to 11 walks. He was left unprotected for and managed to sneak through the Rule 5 draft because of injury concerns as he missed time due to a sore elbow. If he maintains the velocity growth and can stay healthy, he's got a real chance to be an impact pitcher sooner rather than later.
I like all these kids. Scouted Scott at Vandy and I have to say he has projected thus far better than originally and with Nick I will say you will see him in Fenway at some point this season due to injuries/under performing