Projecting Call-Up Time Frames for 7 Top Boston Red Sox Prospects

Perched atop the AL East standings at 10-4 less than a month into the season, the Red Sox are off to a great start.

In the past, they may have been tempted to use prospects to trade for quality veterans to bolster the major league team. However, between their lack of major offseason moves and their willingness to stick with Jackie Bradley Jr. despite his struggles at the plate, they seem like they are sticking with the home-grown philosophy they touted 10 years ago.

Here are my projected call-up time frames for seven prospects who have a legitimate chance to be difference-makers for the Red Sox.

Jackie Bradley Jr.

Though Jackie Bradley Jr. has already been called up, he will get demoted once David Ortiz is ready to play.

Bradley showed off the great defensive skills that he is known for and showed that he has great plate discipline.

However, Bradley has a clear hole in his swing, particularly when lefties throw inside on him. In addition to a flaw that pitchers are attacking, Bradley has only one double in 31 at-bats. For a player who doesn’t possess great power, the South Carolina product needs to hit balls in the gap and take advantage of his speed.

Expect Bradley to get another chance this season if Shane Victorino or Jacoby Ellsbury get hurt, if Mike Carp struggles or if someone is traded, meaning Bradley would get his second chance sometime in July.

Jose Iglesias

Many fans were upset when Jose Iglesias was sent down and replaced by Stephen Drew.

Drew's plate approach is very similar to his brothers, but he is a different player.

Iglesias looked much better at the plate this year, but his stats are extremely inflated due to some fluky infield hits and an even more-inflated BABIP of .529. Typically, that number is closer to .300 for average players.

Iglesias may not get much better at the plate, but that’s OK. If Iggy can hit .240 and play great defense, that will be a success. This is 2013, not the height of the steroid era when shortstops were middle-of-the-lineup hitters.

If Stephen Drew stays healthy and doesn’t get traded, then Iglesias may not return to Boston until next spring. However, if Drew gets hurt or is traded, expect Iggy to return this season.

Matt Barnes

One of the better prospect stories in 2012 was that of Matt Barnes.

In 2012, Barnes had a combined 2.86 ERA and struck out 133 batters in 119.2 innings between Single-A Greenville and Salem. The Connecticut native has the stuff to make the top of the rotation, but is struggling early on in Double-A Portland.

I expect Barnes to ride the ship and turn things around in Double-A, but this hiccup could prevent him from being a late-season call-up.

A safe projection for Barnes is that he will get a chance to show off his stuff late in 2014.

Rubby De La Rosa

Even though Rubby De La Rosa has electrifying stuff, the Red Sox seem to be taking it slow, which is a good thing.

The hard-throwing righty, who has been tutored by Pedro Martinez, is still less than two years removed from Tommy John Surgery.

It is unknown what De La Rosa’s future position will be, but if he can be consistent with his mechanics, he has the stuff to be a top of the rotation starter.

I expect De La Rosa to be called up late in 2013 when rosters are expanded.

Allen Webster

Originally compared to Derek Lowe, Allen Webster has since shown he has much better stuff than the former Red Sox closer.

In spring training, Webster displayed a high-90’s fastball, throwing much harder than advertised.

Webster has good control of his changeup as well as his slider and curveball. However, it is his sinker that will help him the most in the majors by inducing weak ground balls and helping him go deep into games.

The Red Sox have high hopes for Webster and unless there is a major need for him to pitch in the rotation for the big club, I expect him to compete for a spot in the rotation next spring.

Xander Bogaerts

Xander Bogaerts is the Red Sox's best prospect, but after thriving in 23 games in Double-A in 2012, he has struggled early on this season, batting .224 with a .245 slugging percentage.

Bogaerts falls into the Troy Tulowitski/Cal Ripken shortstop mold as he is 6’3”. Unless Bogaerts adds a lot of weight, he looks capable of playing shortstop at the major league level.

However,, with no real first-base prospects in the minors, the Red Sox may be better off moving Will Middlebrooks to first, sliding Bogaerts over to third base and starting defensive wizard Jose Iglesias at shortstop. That would be the most athletic infield in recent memory for the Red Sox.

The Red Sox are taking it slow with Bogaerts since he is still just 20 years old. Depending on how he progresses in 2013, he could fight for playing time early in 2014.

Bryce Brentz

Bryce Brentz is the only legitimate outfield prospect with power for Boston.

Brentz has the potential to his 30 home runs and draws comparisons to current Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks for what he could do at the plate.

If Brentz can improve his plate discipline and work on his defense, he will be a solid major league starter for the Red Sox.

Though he has been thought of as a right fielder, with the short field in left at Fenway, he may be moved there to limit his defensive responsibilities.

After an accidental shooting caused a delay to the start of his 2013 season, expect Brentz to fight for a late season call-up. If he isn’t brought up when rosters expand, Brentz will contend for a spot next year in spring training.