March 26, 2014

Minor League Update

Spring Training Games of March 25

by Jeff Moore

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• Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox: 2-4, K. March hasn’t been all rainbows and sunshine for Bogaerts, but the Red Sox have stuck with him (and more importantly, have stayed away from Stephen Drew), never wavering from their intention of making him their Opening Day shortstop. Bogaerts is rewarding them with better play as the season nears and will continue to reward them for years to come.
  
  
• Jackie Bradley, Jr., OF, Red Sox: 0-4, 2 K. Bradley, on the other hand, has not shown the improvements the Red Sox would like to see and has been generally outplayed by an apparently healthy and resurgent Grady Sizemore. He is on the verge of being sent back to Triple-A, where he has nothing left to prove, or sitting on the Red Sox bench until playing time presents itself.
  
  
• Travis d’Arnaud, C, Mets: 1-2, R, HR. Part of the Mets future hinges of d’Arnaud becoming an above-average everyday catcher. His tools and ability suggest that should happen, but his poor cameo in the majors last year, injury history, and poor spring are at least enough to strike worry into the hearts of Mets fans. He should be just fine, but at the very least, we should finally get an answer.
  
  
• John Stilson, RHP, Blue Jays: 1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 K. What had been a good spring for Stilson came to a halt with a rough outing on Tuesday on a bad day to be a Blue Jays pitcher (the opposing Pirates scored 22 runs on 29 hits). Stilson had already been sent down, so this won’t have any affect on his 2014 season that should begin in Triple-A but should see time in the majors. He’s ready to compete as a major league bullpen arm.
  
  
• Dan Vogelbach, 1B, Cubs: 2-4, R, K. If Matt Stairs was the original “professional hitter,” then Vogelbach can credit him as his predecessor when he assumes the role in a few years.
  
  
• Michael Choice, OF, Rangers: 2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, K. Choice has done everything he can to cement his place on the Rangers roster this spring, and if they’re injury issues continue, he could become an integral piece. He reminds me a little of a less-stocky Marlon Byrd.