This offseason, we'll be taking a look, position-by-position, at the Red Sox minor league system.
Today: Shortstop
Overview: Since 2014, with only a few exceptions, the Red Sox have had shortstop taken care of by Xander Bogaerts. Bogaerts has performed exceeding well in that time, making the American League All-Star team three times while being awarded the Silver Slugger three times, including the 2021 season.
Offensively, he's been one of the most consistent performers at the position. Since 2018, he has the highest OPS of any major league shortstop (,894) while averaging 22 homers in that span. In each of the last four seasons, he's posted a slugging percentage of .493 or better.
Defensively, however, Bogaerts has been a mixed bag. While he's cleaned up the number of errors he commits (just nine in 2021), his range is limited and in some defensive metrics, he ranks near the bottom of the current crop of major league shortstops.
Bogaerts signed a six-year, $120-million extension with the Sox in March of 2019, but has an opt-out clause following the 2022 season. Given the huge deals being signed by other shortstops subsequent to his own deal — Francisco Lindor ($341 million); Corey Seager ($325 million) — it seems almost a given that Bogaerts will want to explore the market after the upcoming season to get a deal that's more in line with what others are getting.
The potential that Bogaerts could sign elsewhere after 2022 puts an additional spotlight on the position within the organization.
TOP PROSPECTS
1. Marcelo Mayer
For some, Mayer isn't just the top-rated shortstop prospect in the organization -- he's the top-rated prospect, period. Selected fourth overall in last summer's amateur draft, Mayer projects as a star in the making, with many evaluators pegging him as a Seager clone: a left-handed, offense-first shortstop with the ability to really drive the ball. The expectation is that Mayer has the tools to be a star, with plus power and a plus hit tool. Defensively, Mayer has a strong arm and should be able to make a lot of plays at short, though his size (6-3) could eventually restrict his range. He's fluid and comfortable in the field and already, Red Sox officials marvel at his maturity and composure. He made his debut in the Florida Complex League and impressed everyone with his at-bats. It's likely he'll begin 2022 at Low A Salem, but could move up to High A Greenville before long.
MLB Profile: Starting shortstop, with the projection to become an All-Star caliber player.
ETA: 2024
2. Matthew Lugo
There's a lot to like about Lugo -- from his physical skills, to his bloodlines as the nephew of Carlos Beltran -- but he's still relatively raw, and at 20, still has a lot of development ahead. A second-round pick out of Puerto Rico, he's shown the potential for solid-average power for the position and good strike zone judgment. In the field, he's shown good range and good athleticism.
MLB Profile: Everyday shortstop with the projection to provide above-average defense and the potential for double-figure home run output.
ETA: Late 2024
3. Brainer Bonachi
Signed as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2018, Bonachi has worked to bulk up what was once a slight frame. He impressed in the Florida Complex League and again in the organization's Instructional League, showing good instincts at shortstop and a powerful arm. His offensive game will take some time. Though he's shown he can drive the ball on occasion, power is not viewed as a big part of his game. His offensive projection may take some time as he grows into his body.
MLB Profile: Potential to be an MLB regular, or a depth piece, with the ability and versatility to contribute at third base.
ETA: 2025
4. David Hamilton
Acquired from Milwaukee earlier this month in the deal that sent Hunter Renfroe to the Brewers, Hamilton possesses elite speed, described by some evaluators as plus-plus. Defensively, he's solid, with good instincts though his arm strength is seen as somewhat suspect. It's possible he could be moved to second at some point. Offensively, Hamilton needs to focus on making regular contact, since he doesn't have the size (5-10, 175) to have power be a big part of his game. He's shown the ability to drive the ball to gaps, but isn't likely to drive the ball out of the ballpark much.
MLB Profile: With his elite speed, he could make it to the big leagues as a bench piece, capable of playing in the middle infield or perhaps contributing in the outfield.
ETA: Late 2023.
5. Christian Koss
Obtained in a trade with Colorado for Yoan Aybar a year ago this month, Koss does a lot of things well, but no one skill leaps out. Playing at High A Greenville in 2021, he showed decent pop (18 doubles, 15 homers) but he was old for the league and such power may not continue. Defensively, he's consistent though there are some questions about his arm strength long-term. He'll turn 24 next month but has yet to reach Double A, so the clock is ticking for him.
MLB Profile: Could contribute as a utility player with the ability to contribute at a number of positions, but it would help if his offensive game ticked up some.
ETA: 2024
