Red Sox promote Margot to Double-A

The Red Sox farm system is one of the best-stocked in the game, but most of that talent has evaded the Double-A level so far this season. Well, now Portland has a big-time prospect.

The Red Sox promoted No. 5 prospect Manuel Margot to Double-A Portland, the Sea Dogs announced Monday afternoon. He is expected to make his debut Monday night in Reading. Outfielder Dave Sappelt was placed on the seven-day disabled list to make room for Margot on the roster.

The 20-year-old outfielder will ride a hot streak into his first foray into the Eastern League. In his last five games for Class A Advanced Salem, he went 9-for-20 with two homers, two doubles, four RBIs, two walks and three stolen bases. That last run of production, which included two of his three long balls on the whole season, pushed his slash line up to .282/.321/.420 through 46 games in the Carolina League. His 20 steals in 25 attempts ranked fourth in the circuit at the time of his promotion. 

Since signing with the Red Sox for $800,000 out of the Dominican Republic back in July 2011, the 5-foot-11 speedster has a .285/.355/.425 career Minor League line in four seasons.

Ranked as MLB.com's No. 84 overall prospect, Margot has earned positive reviews for his hitting, running and fielding abilities and was given 60-65 grades for each of those three tools. In fact, in a look at speed scores by MiLB.com last week, Margot was at the top of the list for players ranked among MLB.com's top 100 prospects. His speed helps him not only on the basepaths but also in center field, where he made all 42 of his appearances for Salem this season. He possesses just an average arm (one outfield assist) and slightly below-average power (.138 ISO), but the combination of his three main tools makes for an exciting overall package. 

Among Boston's top 30 prospects, only outfielder Henry Ramos (No. 18), utilityman Carlos Asuaje (No. 24), right-handed relievers Pat Light (No. 26) and Simon Mercedes (No. 28) have played for Portland in 2015. Ramos hasn't played for the club since April 15 after undergoing knee surgery and just started a Gulf Coast League rehab assignment Monday. Light was promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket on June 9.