Who Goes to Fenway?

8/31/2014

Which PawSox players will be calling Fenway Park their new home during September call-ups?

Ryan Fox (@Spider_Fox87)

It’s that time of the year in major league baseball. It’s during the last stretch of the season where teams in the MLB are fighting for a playoff spot and while 4 teams in the Triple-A Teams in each league (International and Pacific) are battling it for the championship. I’m talking about the month of September when the MLB Rosters expand.

Last year around this time, the both the Red Sox and the PawSox had already clenched a playoff spot (Boston an AL East Divisional Title and PawSox a Wild Card berth). During last year at the same time, the Red Sox brought up just 3 players (C Ryan Lavarnway, RHP Rubby De La Rosa, OF Quintin Berry) as the PawSox were making their run to the Governors’ Cup.

Now this season, the Red Sox a woeful 60-76, which puts them 19.0 games first place in the American League Eastern Divisional title and 15.0 games out of the second wildcard spot. One could say that the 2014 season is pretty much all but done for the boys of Fenway. But with September 1 right around the corner and the MLB Rosters expanding, you can bet the Red Sox will be bringing up a few new faces to Fenway to give them a major league audition. Which leads us to the all-mighty question: which PawSox players will get the call up?

Here are a few possible names that could get the call up to play in Boston come September 1.

Possibly Happening:

OF Bryce Brentz – With the shuffling of the outfielders in Fenway this season (over 10 players playing in the outfield this season), it’s about due time that Bryce gets his chance to play at the majors. Though he missed a significant chunk of the season due to injury, Bryce has more pop in his bat than any of the other outfielder prospects (12 HR in 60 games and a .469 slugging %, which is the highest on the current roster).

3B Garin Cecchini – A young infielder that could spell Will Middlebrooks over at third base. Though he lacks power, Cecchini has a good plate discipline as well as good contact with the bat (105 hits in 111 games at Triple-A this season). Plus he can drive in runs (leads the PawSox with 56 RBIs), something that the Red Sox could use more of in that department.

SP Matt Barnes – Like Anthony Ranaudo, Barnes has been waiting in the wing for his chance to debut. Though his record has been a little spotty in his first full season at Triple-A (8-9, 3.95), Barnes can eat up innings (127.2 innings pitched, second most on team) and can strikeout batters with ease (103, second most on team).

1B Travis Shaw – Another young infielder down in Pawtucket. He ranks third on the team in hits (82), second on the team in extra-base hits (32). With the Red Sox's current first baseman, Mike Napoli, turning 33 and scheduled to make $16-million next season, Shaw could provide a more youthful and more cap-friendly alternative to play the position.

RP Drake Britton – It looks like the writing is on the wall for current RP/CL Koji Uehara. He’s gonna be 40 next season and has blown 2 saves out of 5 appearances. Bringing up Britton will shore up the bullpen as well as provide an extra option in the closer position (has 5 saves out of 8 opportunities this season).

Wild Card Pick:

SP Henry Owens – It could be a stretch for Owens, given the fact he’s only pitched in 5 games in Triple-A this season (2-1, 2.65 ERA with 35 Ks in that span). But in order to acquire a heavy bat in the lineup, the Red Sox may bring up Owens as a means to showcase him to other teams to generate interest and a trade during Winter Meetings.

Wouldn't Be Surprised If It Happened But Highly Unlikely:

OF Jackie Bradley Jr. - Original started the season up in Boston, Jackie was sent down to Pawtucket in hopes of fine-tuning his offensive skills (.216 BA with 1 HR, 30 RBIs , and 111 strikeouts in 112 games this season). Currently his offensive work still needs improvement in Pawtucket (.210 BA with 1 HR, 5 RBI in 13 games). Given the fact that the outfield is crowded up in Boston, the only way JBJ gets back up there is by merit alone.

RHP Brandon Workman - Also like JBJ, Workman has spent significant time up in Boston (16 games played and 12 starts). However Workman also has had a disappointing 2014 season (1-8, 4.93 ERA with 56 Ks and a 1.34 WHIP). Ironically enough his stats record in Pawtucket is polar opposite (7-1, 4.11 ERA with 55 Ks and a 1.27 WHIP). However that won't help him overpass the likes of Owens, Barnes, and Ranaundo.

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