McAdam: As Red Sox begin exhibition schedule, these three prospects bear watching

As the Red Sox began play Friday afternoon with a game against Northeastern, there are no regulars in the first spring lineup posted by interim manager Ron Roenicke.

Roenicke is saving the likes of Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and J.D. Martinez for Grapefruit League games, which begin in earnest Saturday.

Still, there are things to be learned from evaluating some of the players who won't make the Opening Day roster.

Among them:

1. INF C.J. Chatham

Even with the loss of Brock Holt, the infield picture is mighty crowded in the middle. In addition to Bogaerts, there's newcomer Jose Peraza, Rule 5 guy Jonathan Arauz, holdover Marco Hernandez, and at least occasionally, Michael Chavis -- all in the mix and ahead of Chatham.

Moreover, if Chatham looks in his rear-view mirror, he'll probably detect Jeter Downs, obtained in the Betts/Price deal with the Dodgers and someone who very likely will be the team's everyday second baseman next season.

Still, Chatham shouldn't be dismissed.

He's played both shortstop and second, despite his gangly body-type (6-4, 180 pounds) is athletic enough to handle either with an arm that's rated as a plus tool and impressive instincts. And while Chatham doesn't profile as any sort of power hitter at the plate, he's hit at every level (.297 or better from Fort Myers to Greenville to Salem to Portland to Pawtucket) and can drive the ball for extra bases.

If Peraza struggles to hit, Arauz proves he's not yet ready to make the leap to the big leagues and Chavis gets more opportunities at first, Chatham could contribute in Boston in the second half of this season, or certainly by September when rosters expand.

2. OF Jarren Duran

Center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is eligible for free agency this fall and there's little indication that the Sox have shown any interest in extending him.

The arrival of Alex Verdugo has given the Sox options for 2021 and beyond. Verdugo enjoys playing center and could shift there after this season. Also, Andrew Benintendi has shown the ability to play center and could be moved over from left.

Or, the Sox could see what sort of progress Duran makes. He dominated at High Single-A last season (.998), then, after struggling for a month at Double-A, made some adjustments at Portland and finished strong.

Duran possesses raw plus-plus speed that could be an intriguing element at the big league level and he's athletic enough to handle center, though his arm is ordinary and won't remind anyone of Bradley's.

It remains to be seen what sort of hitter he'll become -- for now, he lacks power, but at the very least, he makes a lot of contact and could emerge as a Johnny Damon-type. Given the outfield depth present at the big league level, it's unlikely he'll get much of a look this year, but if he keeps improving, could position himself to be in contention for a spot next year.

3. C Connor Wong

For the time being. Wong is destined to be known as "the other guy'' in the Betts/Price blockbuster. He's not the centerpiece (Verdugo), and he's not named after a legend (Downs). And unlike the other two players listed here, there's little chance of Wong getting any major league service time in 2020.

But Wong is intriguing. The Red Sox' catching depth had been embarrassingly thin in their system. (Before the arrival of Wong, the estimable SoxProspects.com had Kole Cottam as the organization's highest-rated catching prospect at No. 57.

Wong needs further development time. He's only played 40 games above Single-A.

But he's intriguing for any number of reasons. For one thing, his power took a big leap last year when he hit 24 homers in the Dodgers' system. For another, he's played around the infield (second, third) and could profile as a No. 2 catcher capable of helping out at several other positions.

Unless the Sox are able to land someone like Luis Campusano in an upcoming deal, there's nobody in the organization standing between Wong and No. 1 catcher Christian Vazquez, whose last guaranteed year is next season. For that reason alone, Wong bears watching.