RHP Daniel Bard has an opportunity to make big strides in 2009. As has been the case with highly touted pitching prospects Jonathan Paplebon, John Lester, Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson, and Michael Bowden, Bard may find himself on the fast track to Boston if all goes well this season.
The Sox’ number one draft pick in 2006 out of the University of North Carolina, Bard has one of those power arms which can hurl a fastball consistently near 100mph. He is still in need of some fine tuning when it comes to his secondary pitches.
Bard’s first season of professional ball in 2007 was well documented for its lack of success. He finished the season a combined 3-7 with a 7.08 ERA at Single A Greenville and Lancaster. Most glaring was his apparent lack of control, walking 78 batters in only 75 innings of work.
Signed to be a starter, Bard was converted to a reliever during his stint at offseason ball in Hawaii. That move has made a big difference. Last season Bard made marked improvements, combining for a 5-1 record and a slim 1.32 ERA in Greenville and Portalnd. More importantly he cut down on his walks to 30 in 77.2 innings pitched.
It is possible Bard may start the season in Portland. But with the number of veteran arms expected to be in the PawSox bullpen this season, it won’t be a surprise to see Bard in a Pawtucket uniform learning from their expereince before the warm weather kicks in.
Photo courtesy soxfan1.com
You can see why the Red Sox were attracted to Chris Carter when they acquired him from the Nationals in 2007 in the deal that sent Wily Mo Pena to Washington. Carter can flat out hit the baseball.
2008 was Carter’s best offensive season to date, batting .300 with 24 home sruns and 81 RBI’s in 121 games with the PawSox. That production warranted a call-up by the Red Sox on a couple of occassions. Carter played in 9 games for Boston, batting .333 with 3 RBI’s.
The 26 year-old Carter was drafted in the 17th round in the 2004 draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He quickly moved up through the Diamondbacks’ chain to Triple A Tuscon in 2006. Over his last three Triple A seasons Carter has averaged 128 games, batting .306 with 20 home runs and 84 RBI’s. Impressive numbers at any level of ball.
Carter was drafted as a first baseman but primarily played outfield with the PawSox last season. Carter is often described by some as a poor defender with a below average arm and below average speed. Carter was added last season to the Red Sox’ 40-man roster.
Reports have Carter entering spring training in the best shape of his career. Depending on the health of the players in Boston, Carter may see some time with the Red Sox. While in Pawtucket Carter may once again find himself in left field, first base, or as the club’s designated hitter.
Photo courtesy of ballhype.com
RHP Steve Green knows his way around Triple A baseball…and the PawSox will be looking for that experience to solidify their 2009 bullpen.
2009 will mark the 9th season the 31 year-old reliever will pitch in Triple A ball. Green was drafted in the 10th round by Anaheim in 1997. He has one game of Major League experience, with the Angels in 2001.
Since 2005 Green has spent his years in the Triple A organizations of the Indians, Tigers, Orioles, and Phillies. Pawtucket will be Green’s fourth different team in as many seasons.
Drafted as a starter, Green fell into the reliever’s role when he was acquired by the Indians in 2005. In the AAA bullpen Green has a 4.20 ERA in 143 appearances. He had his best minor league season last year, posting a 5-1 record with a 3.09 ERA with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.
Green brings a good sinker and change-up to McCoy. Green spent the last two weeks on Canada’s roster at he World Baseball Classic.
Expect Green’s addition to definitely bolster the depth in the PawSox bullpen.
We’ve talked about how there will be some new names competing to fill the positions in the PawSox infield this season. One of those players battling for a spot is Ivan Ochoa.
The undrafted minor league free agent joins Gil Velazquez, Nick Green, Angel Chavez, and Jeff Natale as all who may see playing time patroling the PawSox infield dirt. Green is expected to start the season in Boston as an infield back-up until the return of Julio Lugo.
Ochoa was a non-roster invitee to Red Sox camp but is not a member of Boston’s 40-man roster.
Ochoa signed with the Cleveland Indians in 2001 and spent his first six seasons in the Indians minor league organization. He was acquired by the Giants organization prior to the 2007 season and primarily spent his time at AAA Fresno of the Pacific Coast League.
Over the last two minor league seasons Ochoa has averaged .307 with a combined 9 home runs and 52 RBI’s. He made his Big League debut last season for San Francisco, batting .200 with 3 RBI’s in 47 games off the bench.
Primarily a shortstop Ochoa has also played second base during his professional career. He has good speed and excellent range.
Not in the immediate plans for the Red Sox, Ochoa should get a decent amount of playing time in Pawtucket.
Left handed reliever Bill Traber is another of those veteran pitchers signed by the Red Sox this offseason with Big League experience who may find himself in the bullpen mix in Boston provided the opportunity arises. In the meantime, expect to see Traber in the PawSox bullpen for most of 2009.
The 29 year-old former first round pick of the Mets, Traber has Major League experience with the Indians, Nationals, and Yankees, amassing a combined 12-14 record with a 5.54 ERA in 95 games. Traber was tabbed as a starer before being converted to a reliever in 2007 while in the Nationals organization.
PawSox fans last season saw Traber pitch for the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees, where he went 2-1 with a 3.40 ERA in 40 relief appearances.
Traber has traditionally done well against lefties, mixing a fastball in the upper 80 mph range with a change-up, curve and splitter.
Traber was signed as a minor league free agant by the Sox this past November and was added as a non-roster invitee to the Sox’ Big League camp.
Photo courtesy washingtonpost.com
