Projecting PawSox Probable Rotation/Line-Up

Everything Red Sox looks at the possible starting rotation and potential starting line-up for the 2014 Pawtucket Red Sox.

First the rotation (*-indicates on the 40-man roster)

Allen Webster* - Ranked as the Red Sox #4 prospect by Baseball America for 2014, finished the 2013 season with the Paw Sox while spot-starting in 7 games for Boston. Webster has the chance to establish himself as a sure-fire member of future Red Sox starting rotation in the 2014 minor league baseball season. Webster unfortunately struggled in his first 4 starts in the Caribbean Winter League posting a 6.11 ERA in 17 2/3 innings, giving up 22 hits and 10 walks while striking out 15. If Webster can improve his control and fastball command, look for him to be giving AAA hitters nightmares with his devastating slider and change-up. PawSox fans saw glimpses of that domination at McCoy to the tune of an 8-4 record with a 3.60 ERA in 21 starts. He allowed more than three earned runs just four times all season and struck out a team high 12 July 31 vs. Norfolk.

Anthony Ranaudo* - The 6'7″ right-hander started in 19 games for Portland before being called up to Pawtucket on August 2nd, 2013. While in Pawtucket, Ranaudo reminded the Red Sox why they took him with their second supplemental 1st round pick in 2010 by going 3-1 with a 2.97 ERA in 30.3 innings. He turned his injury-plagued 2012 season around by representing the Red Sox in the 2013 MLB Futures Game on July 15th. The 24-year-old should continue posting a sub 3.00 ERA, while improving his fastball command and changeup.

Matt Barnes - Boston's 2011 1st round pick out of UCONN started his 2013 season with the Portland Sea Dogs, where he started the Double-A season with a bloated 8.79 ERA in the month of April. However, after the All-Star Break, Barnes posted a 2.66 ERA and 52 strikeouts. Barnes earned a late-season promotion to Pawtucket, where he made a start in both the regular season and the International League Playoffs; he didn't allow a run in either start. His 94-97 MPH fastball is his calling card, but his improved secondary pitches, the curveball and change-up, will see him in Boston in a short time.

Steven Wright* - Knuckleballer Steven Wright offers the Pawtucket rotation a nice change of pace, as facing a knuckleball after battling three quality starters in previous games is not an easy task. Wright started 24 games with the PawSox last year while posting a 3.46 ERA. With all of Boston's pitching depth, it will be interesting if Wright will continue to get the occasional spot-starting opportunities in Boston with the maturation of the teams top pitching prospects. He led the team with three complete game shutouts over his teams leading 24 starts.

Dalier Hinojosa - Signed for $4 MM after defecting from Cuba on October 13, 2013, the 27-year-old right-hander projects to fit best as a reliever at the Major League level. The only International player whom the Red Sox have given a higher signing bonus to was Jose Iglesias in 2009 with $6.25 MM.

Onto the possible Line-up - and this is all pure speculation based on the big league roster and recent signings.

Catcher - Christian Vazquez*

Vazquez threw out 46% of basestealers in 2013 and is regarded as the best defensive catcher in the Red Sox farm system by Baseball America. The 22-year-old hit .289/.376/.395 in 96 games in Portland, and was named Portland's Team MVP. Projected as the Red Sox starting catcher in 2015, Vazquez hit .206/.319/.284 in 102 at-bats during his time in the Roberto Clemente Baseball League this past winter.

1st Base - Brandon Snyder

Snyder is a versatile power hitter than can also play 3rd base and corner outfield positions. Hit .261/.332/.454 in 2013 with the PawSox with 10 homers in 68 games.

2nd Base - Mike McCoy

Aquired as a minor league free agent in November of 2013. Hit .245/.357 /.327 with AAA Buffalo in 2013. He stole 29 bases and provides versatility at every position as he played every position but pitcher, catcher and 1st base with the Bisons.

3rd Base - Garin Cecchini*

From the start in High A Salem to his June 21st promotion to Double-A Portland in mid-June, the third baseman's bat was hotter than anyone in baseball. A .392/.478/.709 line in April led to recognition as Boston's Minor League Offensive Player of the Month and earning him a spot in the Carolina League All-Star Game. In 63 games played for Salem in 2013, Cecchini batted .350/.469/.547 with 28 extra-base hits and more walks (43) than strikeouts (34). By midseason, he was considered the best hitter in the minors. Following his promotion to Portland, Cecchini continued his success at the plate, posting an .850 OPS in July and receiving an invitation to play in the Futures Game, where he delivered an RBI double in his lone at-bat. All in all, Cecchini's 2013 season was a huge success, as the 22-year-old set career highs in batting average (.322), home runs (seven), extra-base hits (47), and walks (94), and led the minor leagues in on-base percentage among qualified hitters. Cecchini also finished the season with the highest marks of any Red Sox minor leaguer in batting average and OBP. After the season, the Red Sox sent Cecchini to the Arizona Fall League, where he has hit .250/.391/.308 with three doubles in 14 games and was named to the league's Fall Stars Game where he hit a 430-foot home run in the eighth inning. There is a chance that Cecchini starts the season in Portland, but he will not be there for long.

Shortstop - Brock Holt*

Acquired in the Joel Hanrahan trade in 2013, Holt can play 2nd base, 3rd base, and shortstop. The biggest knock on Holt after the trade was on his defense, which is apparent when you look at Holt's 2012 fielding statistics with the Pirates. However, during his time with the Red Sox in 2013, Holt did not make a single error. He also made meaningful contributions offensively. Unfortuately for Holt, his 2013 minor league hitting line of .258/.327/.309 was not enough to stop Cherington from acquiring utility infielder Jonathan Herrera from the Rockies this past offseason. Look for Holt to work on improving his approach at the plate and on base percentage in Pawtucket this year. Before 2013, Holt never hit lower than .288. The bat will be back to normal this coming season.

Left field - Alex Hassan*

After being injured (calf and broken index finger) early in the 2013 season, Hassan raked in his return to Pawtucket. In 225 plate appearances with the PawSox, Hassan batted .321/.431/.460 with 14 doubles, 36 walks and four home runs, showing a vastly improved ability to drive the baseball. Hassan hit .214 in 56 at-bats after joining a team late in the Dominican Winter League season. If the need for a corner outfielder arises in Boston, Hassan will be competing with Bryce Brentz for the first call-ups to the majors. He also worked began learning 1st base during the season in 2013.

Center field - Justin Henry

Henry hit .210/.294/.286 in 2013 with Pawtucket. Like Holt, he had a down year. Prior to 2013, he had never hit below .257 in any season. He's a career .282 hitter and provides excellent versatility with his ability to play all infield and outfield positions. He also has great speed with nearly 150 career steals.

Right field - Bryce Brentz*

After missing much of the 2013 Spring Training due to an injury, Brentz hit .272/.321/.487 line with 16 home runs in 75 games through July 5. Brentz tore his meniscus on July 5th after sliding into 2nd base, but returned to play in the final seven games of the regular season and all eight playoff games. Brentz is a right-handed power bat, which is scarce in the Red Sox farm system.

Designated Hitter - Ryan Lavarnway*

Ryan Lavarnway

Lavarnway hit .250/.346/.350 in 50 games with Pawtucket in 2013. Lavarnway's power numbers has dropped over the last two years, as his homerun totals have gone from 18 in 2011, to 8 in 2012, to 3 dingers in 2013. However, his defense has made significant improvements over as he threw out 40% (18 caught of 45 attempts) of would be base stealers.

Bench:

Catcher - Dan Butler*

The 26-year-old hit a career-best 14 home runs while splitting time with Ryan Lavarnway to start the season. Even though Butler got off to a tough start hitting just .218 start in his first 36 games, once he took over full-time starting duties behind the dish, Butler's stats skyrocketed, hitting .294 the rest of the way, clubbing 11 home runs in 48 games. Dan Butler has worked himself into being a viable major league candidate and threw out 30.5% (25 caught of 82) of base stealers. He was the PawSox team MVP in 2013.

Utility - Heiker Meneses

Meneses reached Triple-A Pawtucket during the 2013 season. Heiker added another glove, working as a catcher for the first time. He also got some work in the outfield when he later reported to his winter league club in Venezuela. He's slick at short and second base.

Again, this is VERY preliminary. But it should be fun to how the holes get filled as the weather heats up! Remember, pitchers and catchers report in a month from tomorrow! And speaking of heat, the Hot-Stove event will be Saturday, January 25th from 11am-1:30pm at McCoy. New Manager Kevin Boles, new coach Bruce Crabbe, pitcher Steven Wright and outfielders Alex Hassan and Bryce Brentz are scheduled to be in Pawtucket.