Red Sox Prospects: Bogaerts dazzles; JBJ raking; Cecchini digging in

The Guru
Contributing Writer

Xander Bogaerts continues to succeed no matter the level of completion. Since being promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket, Bogaerts has 11 hits in 12 games to go along with four home runs and eight RBI. Bogaerts hit a 3-run homer last night and made a dazzling play in the field.

Imagine this at Fenway Park.




Jackie Bradley Jr. hit his 4th home run Tuesday night for the PawSox. Bradley is hitting .309 with 41 hits in 33 games, 21 runs scored, 13 doubles, a triple and three steals. The demotion back to Pawtucket has done nothing to Bradley’s confidence. He’ll be back with the big club sooner rather than later.

Portland Sea Dogs third baseman Garin Cecchini has been showing that he can more than hold his own in Double-A. The 6'3" 215 pound lefthander is hitting .313 through four games with a double, two runs driven in and has scored twice. Before the promotion, Cecchini was hitting .350 at Single-A Salem.

Take a look at the swing and the glove on Cecchini:



Single-A Greenville second baseman Mookie Betts is about ready for a promotion as well. Since early May, Mookie is hitting .375. He has 30 extra-base hits in 64 games and he’s 15-for-16 in stolen base attempts. At just 5’8” we may be looking at the heir to Dustin Pedroia. Just don’t tell Pedey.

It’s not all good news down on the farm. The Red Sox have announced that last year’s 18th round draft pick, outfielder Shaq Thompson, has decided to hang up his glove for shoulder pads. Thompson said he has decided to dedicate himself to football rather than pursue a baseball career. Thompson was a linebacker at the University of Washington when the Red Sox drafted him. If you have never heard of Thompson, this may be why: He went 0-for-39 in last summer’s rookie league, striking out 37 times. Let's hope he hits better on the gridiron than he did on the baseball diamond.

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