4. Josh Reddick, OF, 2/9/1987 - A native of Savannah, GA, Reddick was taken in the 17th round of the 2006 draft.
He had a fine debut for Greenville in 2007 (369 AB, .306, 18 HR, 17 2B, 883 OPS) and followed that up with another solid, albeit brief, showing in Greenville to begin 2008. It earned him a promotion to Lancaster, where he hit .343 in 312 AB with 17 HR, 11 2B, 8 3B, and a 968 OPS.
He showed enough in Lancaster that Boston bumped him to Portland, but it's there that Reddick experienced his first struggles as a professional. He hit just .214/.290/.436 in 117 AB and never got on track. Reddick also struggled in the Arizona Fall League, striking out 36 times in 95 AB with a line of .189/.210/.389.
Reddick can be too aggressive and could stand to draw more walks after walking just 39 times in 429 combined regular season AB. He'll return to Portland for 2009 and hope to regain the form that proved to be successful in Greenville and Lancaster.
Jason Bay is signed through 2009, J.D Drew through 2011, and Jacoby Ellsbury beyond that. He'll be ready sooner, but his best chance for a starting job might come after Drew's contract is up. Reddick has the potential to be a solid starting outfielder at the major league level.
5. Stolmy Pimentel, RHP, 2/1/1990 - After spending 2007 with Boston's Dominican Summer League team, Pimentel, who hails from San Cristobal, quickly made his mark in the United States.
Pitching for Lowell of the New York Penn League, he made 13 appearances (11 starts) and racked up 63 innings. He gave up 51 hits (7 HR), walked 17, and fanned 61.
At 6'3"/186lbs, Pimentel has a good frame for a pitcher, and at 18, may not be done growing. His fastball resides in the low 90s and he also features a curve, a sinker, and a changeup.
Pimentel is likely ticketed for a full season in Greenville in 2009 and will probably be on a strict innings cap for the season. Pimentel, who was signed when he was 16, is a long ways off, but he is one Boston's most intriguing pitching prospects and bears watching next season. Boston can afford to be patient.
NOTE: Only players with no more than 130 AB/50 IP in the majors qualify for this list.
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