Stock Up, Stock Down for Boston Red Sox's Top 10 Prospects for Week 15

Heading into the All-Star break, there are few organizations in as good of a position as the Boston Red Sox.

Boston is enjoying a first-place spot in the standings, and has a great crop of prospects in its farm system.

Baseball America’s Jim Callis ranked Boston’s farm system as the fifth-best in the majors entering the 2013 season. The up-and-comers have done nothing to discredit his ranking.

The following players were the top-10 ranked prospects entering the season according to Baseball America. 

Please note: Players recently drafted by the Red Sox will not be included, as they do not have any statistics to draw from. If you would like more information about Boston’s most recent additions to the minor league system via the draft, have a look at their scouting profiles right here on B/R. 

No. 10 Prospect: C Blake Swihart, High-A Salem

2013 Stats

.273/.351/.409, 16 2B, 6 3B, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 23 R, 6 SB

Overview

Again, Blake Swihart had a very non-eventful week.

Though his 5-for-21 cut is not atrocious, it is hardly anything noteworthy. That one of those five slashes happened to be legged into a double is the most encouraging thing.

Swihart has shown his skills throughout the season, but lately has been very quiet. Look for him to step things up down the stretch.

Last Week's Stats

5-for-21 1 2B, 0 HR, 0 R, 1 RBI

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Down

No. 9 Prospect: SS Deven Marrero, High-A Salem

2013 Stats

.271/.351/.351, 17 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 42 R, 17 SB

Overview

Deven Marrero continued his contributions on the offensive side of the ball, which is just the thing fans wanted to see.

He touched home four times last week, while smattering a double among his eight hits.

The signs continue to look positive for the young shortstop, as this month he has truly shown his capabilities. Hopefully he will continue his quality play as he enters the stretch run of his first full season in the minors.

Last Week's Stats

8-for-28 1 2B, 0 HR, 4 R, 0 RBI

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Up

No. 8 Prospect: Of Bryce Brentz, Triple-A Pawtucket

2013 Stats

.272/.321/.487, 15 2B, 1 3B, 16 HR, 53 RBI, 34 R, 1 SB

Overview

Bryce Brentz has not played in the past week due to knee soreness, according to WEEI.

Brentz has been solid all season long, smacking 31 extra-base hits to go along with his 53 RBI.

The right fielder could use some work with his plate discipline, as he has found himself the victim of the strikeout too often, and the beneficiary of the walk too seldom.

Last Week's Stats

Did not play

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Flat

No. 7 Prospect: RHP Anthony Ranaudo, Double-A Portland

2013 Stats

16 GS, 8-2, 2.67 ERA, 32 BB, 94 K, 91.0 IP

Overview

Anthony Ranaudo had a nice week off, as he participated in the Double-A All-Star game and the Futures Game.

Ranaudo has been a great story in 2013 for the Red Sox. After an injury-plagued 2012, it is nice to see Ranaudo back to being healthy and effective. He remains one of the best pitching prospects in Boston's farm system, and should be interesting to watch in the second half of the season.

Last Week's Stats

Did not play

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No. 6 Prospect: LHP Henry Owens, High-a Salem

2013 Stats

16 GS, 6-4, 3.14 ERA, 43 BB, 97 K, 86.0 IP

Overview

After a disastrous start an outing ago, Henry Owens got back on track last week.

The 20-year-old pitched a solid 6.2 innings, in which none of the runs he allowed were earned.

It is a pity that the righty was unable to secure the victory, but it must be a relief to get a solid outing under his belt. It is a good sign that he made effective adjustments so quickly after such a disturbing hiccup.

Last Week's Stats

1 GS, 6.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 0 W

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No. 5 Prospect: RHP Matt Barnes, Double-A Portland

2013 Stats

16 GS, 4-6, 5.22 ERA, 28 BB, 88 K, 70.2 IP

Overview

Matt Barnes exited his July 6th start after taking a line drive off his wrist, but fortunately that wasn't serious.

Barnes took the loss in his next slated start, and thoroughly deserved it. Though only one of the runs he allowed was earned, he gave up three hits and three walks in a short three innings of work. The positive from the start is the five strikeouts he notched, but that is hardly a silver lining.

The right-hander has struggled for much of his season, so he will look to get back on track in the future.

Last Week's Stats

1 GS, 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 0 W, 1 L

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Down

No. 4 Prospect: SP Allen Webster, Triple-A Pawtucket

2013 Stats

12 GS, 5-2, 3.41 ERA, 23 BB, 66 K, 58.0 IP

Overview

Things were not so excellent for Allen Webster this past week.

After being absolutely shaken in a game against the Seattle Mariners, Webster responded with a horrid performance when he got back down to the minors.

The 23-year-old has not been as sharp as he was earlier in the season. While he has not been wild, he has been leaving hittable balls for his opponents, and they have taken advantage of them.

Webster is still very unseasoned, and will look to regroup down the stretch.

Last Week's Stats

1 GS, 4.2 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 0 W, 1 L

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Down

No. 3 Prospect: 3B Garin Cecchini, High-A Salem

2013 Stats (with High-A Salem)

.350/.469/.547, 19 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 44 R, 15 SB

2013 Stats (with Double-A Portland)

.361/.465/.500, 7 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 15 R, 0 SB

Overview

Garin Cecchini has finally had a dozer of a week, collecting just two hits to go along with a single RBI and one run scored.

That is not the typical week for Cecchini, who has noisily risen to top-notch prospect status in the Red Sox system.

The future for Cecchini is bright, and he can be given a pass for his mediocrity this past week.

Last Week's Stats

2-for-12 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI

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No. 2 Prospect: CF Jackie Bradley Jr., Triple-A Pawtucket

2013 Stats

.297/.393/.530, 18 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 21 RBI, 33 R, 4 SB

Overview

Jackie Bradley Jr. had the chance to enter the All-Star break as an active member of the big league club.

He took advantage of the opportunity, hitting a home run against the Seattle Mariners in one of his games, and scoring a game-winning run in another game against Seattle.

With Jacoby Ellsbury and Shane Victorino frequently banged up, it is nice to know there is a player like Bradley ready to fill in. However, his value will truly be felt by the Red Sox in seasons yet to pass.

Last Week's Stats (With Boston)

1-for-6 0 2B, 1 HR, 3 R, 1 RBI

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No. 1 Prospect: SS Xander Bogaerts, Triple-A Pawtucket

2013 Stats (With Double-A Portland)

.311/.407/.502, 12 2B, 6 3B, 6 HR, 35 RBI, 40 R, 5 SB

2013 Stats (With Triple-A Pawtucket)

.260/.353/.462, 0 2B, 0 3B, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 13 R, 2 SB

Overview

Players like Xander Boegarts are what make the MLB All-Star Futures Game great. He made his presence felt in the game, collecting a pair of hits, a walk and a run scored.

Boegarts just continues his excellent hitting, and at age 20, he is poised to help the Red Sox for years to come.

The shortstop should continue to develop into the star he is projected to be. Fans will have the chance to see him at Fenway Park sooner than later.

Last Week's Stats

5-for-18 0 2B, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI

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