McAdam: Ranking the Red Sox' top outfield prospects

(First in a series: Over the coming weeks, we'll be examining a specific positional area in the Red Sox minor league system, with an eye toward evaluating depth, impact and timetable for contributions. Today: outfield).

CURRENT MAJOR LEAGUE PERSONNEL: The Red Sox control Alex Verdugo through 2024 and Andrew Benintendi through 2022. Jackie Bradley Jr. is eligible for free agency. Other major league options include Michael Chavis (controlled through 2025), Yairo Munoz (controlled through 2024) and Cesar Puello (controlled through 2024).

OVERALL: The Red Sox have the two corner outfield spots covered, with Benintendi in left and Verdugo in right. Benintendi had a miserable few weeks in 2020 (four hits) before being lost for the season with a ribcage strain. Still, the Red Sox believe there's plenty more there, by virtue of his .830 OPS in 2018 and other flashes across his first four-plus seasons. Verdugo, meanwhile, was a high point in an otherwise forgettable 2020 season, excelling in the field, on the bases and at the plate. It's possible that Bradley could be brought back, but it's more likely that he seeks a longer term deal elsewhere, opening a spot in center.

TOP PROSPECTS

Jarren Duran
Acquired: 2018 draft, seventh round
Age: 24
Timetable for arrival: Mid-2021.
Skinny: Drafted as a second baseman, Duran made the transition to the outfield in 2018 and profiled as a speed-first, athletic center fielder - think Jacoby Ellsbury minus the outlier season of 2011.

But that was before Duran made some significant changes to his swing this summer, which greatly improved his ability to drive the ball in the air. Duran has also made good strides with his defense, improving on his jumps and routes. He made several eye-opening plays during Summer Camp that demonstrated his ability to potentially handle the tricky confines of Fenway's center field. There was some initial thought that the Red Sox might promote him to the big leagues in September after dealing off Kevin Pillar, but that didn't happen -- in part because he wasn't yet on the 40-man roster and in part because the Red Sox didn't want to prematurely start his service time clock. The latter will likely contribute to him starting 2021 at Triple A, but chances are, they'd like another couple of months of development time before introducing him into the lineup. Still, Duran has the potential to impact the roster thanks to his plus-plus speed, range in the outfield and particularly if the progress he made at the plate this past summer can similarly translate to game action.
Projection: Starting outfielder -- either in CF or LF -- by the end of the 2021 season.

Marcus Wilson
Acquired: In trade with Arizona for C Blake Swihart (2019); drafted 2014, second round.
Age: 24
Timetable for arrival: late-2021.
Skinny: Wilson is the epitome of a "toolsy'' player -- scout-speak for a player with lots of raw skill -- who has yet to completely take advantage of his talent. The 2020 season was something of a lost year for Wilson, since he wasn't included in the team's Alternate Training Site until the second week of September, losing much of the year in terms of development. The clock is ticking somewhat for Wilson, who, despite seven years of pro ball, has yet to play at Triple A. There are questions about his hit tool, especially as it relates to consistent contact. Wilson has flashed plus-power at times, but has also struggled to put the ball in play. Defensively, he grades out as above-average and he also projects as an above-average baserunner.
Projection: Fourth or fifth outfielder, in either late 2021 or 2022.

Gilberto Jimenez
Acquired: International free agent, 2017
Age: 20
Timetable for arrival: 2023
Skinny: Incredibly athletic, Jimenez profiles as perhaps the position player with potentially the highest ceiling of any position player in the organization. Jimenez has elite speed and strong defensive skills already, to go with a plus arm. What's unknown, for now, is his ceiling as a hitter. While he possesses above-average bat speed and makes consistent contact, there's been little power evident. That could still come, especially, since he didn't begin switch-hitting until after he signed with the Red Sox. His hitting remains a work in progress, to be sure. It's also important to recognize how much more development there is to go. He spent 2019 at Lowell, so he's yet to play a full season in pro ball, and of course, lost development time in 2020 with the cancellation of the minor league season. He's currently taking part in Instructional League ball in Fort Myers.
Projection: Starting outfielder, perhaps with capability of All-Star, especially if power improves.

Jeisson Rosario
Acquired: Obtained from San Diego in trade for Mitch Moreland; international free agent 2016 signing with Padres
Age: 20 (turns 21 in two weeks)
Timetable for arrival: Late 2022
Skinny: Rosario has shown tremendous instincts in the outfield, with plus speed. He needs work as a base stealer when it comes to reads, but has the raw speed to be a true stolen base threat. He's demonstrated good discipline at the plate, but his swing can be awkward at times, and for now, he's shown little power. There's a wide variance on him from evaluators: some see him as a defense-first center fielder with the ability to steal bases while others believe there's enough offensive potential to make him a fine everyday outfielder. A September addition to the Alternate Training Site in Pawtucket, he's not taking part in the team's Instructional League program.
Projection: Depth outfielder as a floor, with the potential to be a more significant contributor if he can find a more consistent approach at the plate.

Nick Decker
Acquired: 2018 draft, second round
Age: 21
Timetable for arrival: 2023
Skinny: Decker has been limited by injuries as a pro in both 2018 (broken hand) and 2019 (ankle, hamstring), stalling his development some, and of course, he lost all of 2020, being too young to be invited to the Alternate Training Site. So far, the left-handed Decker has struggled to make contact against lefties, and that must improve or he'll be consigned to a platoon role. Profiles as a corner outfielder with decent pop, but his swing needs to be quicker and shorter and he's got to show the ability to put the ball in play with more consistency. He's got an above-average, accurate arm and average speed on the bases.
Projection: Platoon corner outfielder, with the potential to become more of a contributor with more regular reps.