MiLB Red Sox Notebook: Former Red Sox pitching prospect DFA’d by White Sox, Penrod/Perales placed on the injured list, Nick Sogard adding another ‘tool’ to his resume
The Red Sox are close to getting back former left-handed pitching prospect Shane Drohan.
The White Sox designated the southpaw for assignment on Sunday, just six months after he was selected in the Rule 5 draft back in December.
If Drohan clears waivers, he will need to be offered back to the Red Sox for $50,000, and if he returns, Boston will likely assign him to Triple-A Worcester.
Once back in the organization, the Red Sox will not need to keep Drohan on their active roster or 40-man roster; he would be outrighted to the minors.
Drohan has been rehabbing from shoulder surgery he underwent on Feb. 21. The lefty has been on a rehab assignment throughout the White Sox minor league system.
He has struggled in eight outings, all out of the bullpen. Drohan has allowed 10 runs (nine earned runs), nine hits, and eight walks while striking out 15 in 9 1/3 innings.
The Red Sox drafted Drohan in the fifth round out of Florida State in 2020 and flashed his potential last season. Drohan dominated over six starts with the Portland Sea Dogs, positing a 1.32 ERA. He was promoted to Triple-A Worcester, where he struggled, recording a 6.47 ERA in 21 outings (19 starts).
Two more pitchers added to the injured list
Red Sox top pitching prospect Luis Perales was placed on the Sea Dogs 7-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.
Perales went 2 1/3 innings, giving up two runs and one earned run off two hits while walking one and striking out three before coming out of the game on Saturday.
The 21-year-old was ranked as the organization’s No. 4 prospect by SoxProspects.com in their latest rankings. He is the Red Sox No. 1 pitching prospect in the system.
Perales has posted a 2.94 ERA and 1.93 FIP with 56 strikeouts and 12 walks across nine starts (33 2/3 innings) with the Red Sox High-A affiliate, the Greenville Drive, and the Sea Dogs.
WooSox left-hander Zach Penrod was placed on the 7-day injured list with left shin inflammation on Sunday.
Penrod was promoted to the WooSox on May 26 after impressing with the Sea Dogs this season. He posted a 2.80 ERA in seven starts with Portland this season, and racked up 53 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings.
In two starts for the WooSox, Penrod has a 3.38 ERA with eight strikeouts and seven walks in eight innings.
Nick Sogard adding to his positional versatility
Nick Sogard has been one of the hottest hitters for the WooSox, reaching base in 26 straight games. After a slow start to the season, the versatile infield/outfielder has been clicking on all cylinders at the plate.
“His at-bats continue to be plus-plus quality,” WooSox manager Chad Tracy said. “He worked really hard in the offseason to gain strength and stuff like that, he’s working on his bat speed, and there’s more balls going over the fence, too. Just a pro hitter, just a really good hitter.”
With Sogard locked in at the plate, the Red Sox are adding to his defensive resume in order to potentially help him get to Boston and help the Red Sox 26-man roster.
Sogard has seen time at second base, shortstop, third base, and the outfield this year. He has now played first base after taking reps and working with coaches at the position this week.
“He’s not going to need a whole lot of time because he’s a very sure-handed infielder,” Tracy said. “For Sogie, it’s literally like, let’s add another tool to the toolbelt.”
With Triston Casas still on the injured list, the Red Sox are looking to add more depth organizationally at first base. Sogard’s bat has been impressive to start the year, and now adding first base to his resume, he becomes a legitimate candidate to possibly help the Red Sox this season.
