Stock Up, Stock Down for Boston Red Sox's Top 10 Prospects for Week 16

With the second half of the season underway, it's a great time to check up on the statuses of the Boston Red Sox's top prospects.

Boston is having a great season at the major league level, but it has been doing well in the minors, too.

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

.268/.348/.403, 17 2B, 6 3B, 2 HR, 28 RBI, 26 R, 6 SB

Overview

Blake Swihart still seems like he could be the catcher of the future, but fans must remember he is still just 21.

Swihart was solid this week, scoring three runs, but overall put together a fairly mediocre line. There remains plenty of room for improvement for the young catcher.

Last Week's Stats

4-for-16, 1 2B, 0 HR, 3 R, 1 RBI

Stock

Down

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

2013 Stats

.261/.361/.338, 18 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 44 R, 18 SB

Overview

Deven Marrero, who had been playing his best baseball of the season in recent weeks, struggled recently.

He went just 3-for-21 at the plate, and only one of those hits rewarded him with more than a single.

Despite the bad week, both Marrero's showing at the plate and his skill in the field have helped justify Boston's use of its 2012 first-round pick on him.

Last Week's Stats

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

Stock

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

Stock

Flat

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

2013 Stats

17 GS, 8-3, 2.87 ERA, 35 BB, 98 K, 97.1 IP

Overview

Anthony Ranaudo toiled through a mediocre outing on the mound this week. He surrendered nine hits, three walks and four earned runs over 6.1 innings while suffering the loss.

Even with the loss, Ranaudo sits at 8-3 with a sub-3.00 ERA. Those numbers are far better than anyone expected coming into the season, and his stock remains high.

Last Week's Stats

1 GS, 6.1 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 0 W, 1 L

Stock

Flat

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

2013 Stats

18 GS, 7-4, 2.93 ERA, 47 BB, 107 K, 92.0 IP

Overview

On July 17, Henry Owens cashed in his most successful start in sometime.

He was able to claim the victory, fanning 10 batters and relinquishing zero hits over six frames. The only mar on his outing was the four walks he gave up.

Owens continues to impress with High-A Salem, and his stock continues to rise.

Last Week's Stats

1 GS, 6.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 10 K, 1 W

Stock

Up

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

2013 Stats

18 GS, 5-6, 4.75 ERA, 31 BB, 98 K, 77.2 IP

Overview

Like fellow farm-hand Henry Owens, Matt Barnes enjoyed a dominating start this week.

The big right-hander earned a victory in a seven-inning, 10-strikeout performance.

The start is a good sign for Barnes, who was hit in the hand with a line drive just a couple weeks ago.

Last Week's Stats

1 GS, 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 10 K, 1 W

Stock

Up

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

Allen Webster sported about as poor a line as you can find at the professional level.

The righty went just 1.1 innings while getting slammed with seven runs and five hits.

The outing is just one instance of the struggles the 23-year-old has encountered in recent weeks. Webster is too talented to continue playing in this chasm, but for now, his stock is down.

Last Week's Stats

1 GS, 1.1 IP, 3 H, 7 ER, 5 BB, 1 K, 0 W, 1 L

Stock

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)

.320/.421/.485, 8 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 18 R, 1 SB

Overview

Garin Cecchini had his second consecutive mediocre week, collecting just five hits in 25 at-bats.

He was able to smack a home run and a double, so even in moments of average play his power is shining.

The consistent performance Cecchini has displayed across two levels now gives the Red Sox plenty of flexibility regarding Will Middlebrooks. It now seems feasible that Cecchini, not Middlebrooks, could man the hot corner at Fenway for years to come.

Last Week's Stats

5-for-25, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 R, 2 RBI

Stock

Flat

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

2013 Stats

.288/.381/.527, 19 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 25 RBI, 37 R, 4 SB

Overview

While Jackie Bradley Jr. saw his average fall again this past week, he continued to compile extra-base hits. His double and home run complemented his four RBI and four runs perfectly.

With the recurring injuries jarring Shane Victorino and Jacoby Ellsbury, it is likely Bradley will play a role down the stretch. Whether or not that prediction comes true, Bradley has a bright future ahead of him.

Last Week's Stats

4-for-22, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 R, 4 RBI

Stock

Up

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)

.252/.360/.454, 3 2B, 0 3B, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 17 R, 2 SB

Overview

Xander Bogaerts has been putting up average numbers since his promotion to Triple-A Pawtucket.

His power numbers have been great, but he has struggled getting consistent hits since he switched teams.

There should be no concern for Bogaerts, as he is just 20 years old and as promising a prospect as there is in the league. His future with the Red Sox is something to look forward to.

Last Week's Stats

3-for-15, 3 2B, 0 HR, 4 R, 4 RBI

Stock

Down