Boston Red Sox: 5 Prospects Worth Getting Excited About

Theo Epstein has been known for his great ability to draft and develop young players for the Boston Red Sox. His successes in this area have helped Boston win two World Series titles during his tenure as GM, and more could be on the way.

Players such as Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard, Jonathan Papelbon and, more recently, Josh Reddick, have all become pivotal players in the Red Sox organization and they all have one thing in common: Theo drafted all of them.

Believe it or not, Epstein has several other young and exciting players brewing in Boston's minor league system, and here are some of the most prominent ones.

Will Middlebrooks

Middlebrooks, a 22-year-old third basemen selected in the fifth round of the 2007 draft, has had a breakout season while solidifying himself as Boston's top prospect.

He has played for Single-A Lowell, Double-A Portland, and was just called up to Triple-A Pawtucket. Combined, his numbers for the season add up to a .297 batting average, 21 home runs and 86 RBI in 102 games played. 

Kevin Youkilis' contract ends at the end of 2012, and I do not see the Red Sox picking up his team option. Youkilis will be in his mid-30s by then and it will also be the perfect amount of time to allow Middlebrooks to finish developing into Youk's replacement for the start of 2013.

Anthony Ranaudo

Ranaudo was taken late in the first round of the 2010 draft last year, and Theo considered him a steal at that position. After leading LSU to a National Championship in 2009, he was considered the top pitching prospect in the 2010 draft, but he fell to the Sox late in the first round due to an injury.

But, the risk of taking an injured player looks like it is going to pay off for Boston, as he is pitching well in his first full season in the minors. Playing Single-A ball, Ranaudo has pitched 114 innings, registering 101 strikeouts and a 4.18 ERA. Not bad for a 21-year-old.

Ranaudo's 6'7" frame makes him a towering asset, and you can expect him in Boston's starting rotation by either the end of 2013 or opening day 2014.

Bryce Brentz

Outfielder Bryce Brentz, 22 years old, struggled after being drafted by the Sox, as he hit just .198 in his first half season with the Lowell Spinners, a Red Sox Single-A affiliate.

But Brentz adjusted to life in the organization, and he found his groove this year. After quickly dominating with the Greenville Drive, Brentz was promoted to Boston's High Single-A team, Salem, where he has continued to shine. 

His total stats for 2011 include a .308 batting average on top of 29 home runs and 84 RBI in 99 games. Awesome stats for major league player and this is just a 22-year-old in his first full year in the minors. 

Brentz probably has two to three years before joining the Sox at Fenway, but it is certainly a day we can look forward to.

Matt Barnes

Many believed that 21-year-old starting pitcher Matt Barnes would be selected in the top 10 of this year's draft. But due to the extreme depth at pitcher in the 2011 draft, Theo was able to snatch him up with the 19th overall pick.

Barnes has not had the chance to start a game in the minors for the Sox yet, but his numbers while at UConn were phenomenal. Matt struck out 111 batters in just over 116 innings pitched this season for the Huskies, posting an 11-4 record with a 1.62 ERA.

If his collegiate numbers don't get you excited, maybe his 96 MPH fastball will. And it is always key to remember that these guys are still developing, and their pitch speed only has room to increase.

Blake Swihart

Blake Swihart, an 18-year-old catcher from New Mexico, just received a $2.5 million signing bonus with the Red Sox. Players don't just get $2.5 million for being "okay" players.

Swihart was looked at as one of the top offensive high school talents in the 2011 draft, but he was committed to the University of Texas, which made many teams think of him as too big of a risk to draft. When he fell into Theo's lap at the 26th pick in the first round, Theo snatched him up and the risk has now payed off. 

A potential .300 hitter in the big leagues, Swihart could be the catcher of the future for the Red Sox, and we now get to watch him develop in our farm system.

Watch these five prospects because I believe that they will all hit it big for the Sox in one way or another.

In Theo We Trust.