This offseason, we'll be taking a look, position-by-position, at the Red Sox minor league system.
Today: Third base
Overview: For the next two years anyway, the Red Sox are in a highly advantageous spot when it comes to the position. They control Rafael Devers through the 2023 season and Devers is one of the top performers at third base in the game. Still just 24, Devers is a beast of a hitter, averaging 35 homers and 45 doubles in each of his last two full seasons. His .891 OPS was good for seventh in the American League in 2021.
Defensively, Devers can be highly inconsistent, with his errors tending to come in bunches, and are often the result of careless, sloppy play. At other times, he's displayed strong range and surprising athleticism. Most of his errant throws seem to be the result of a lack of focus.
The Red Sox have said that retaining Devers is a priority, and this would otherwise be a good offseason to get this accomplished. But with the lockout in place, contract talks have been put on hold. The Sox don't want to risk having Devers get to his final year of control without an extension in place and then start to contemplate having to deal him, as happened with Mookie Betts.
On the current roster, the Sox also have the option of using Bobby Dalbec at third. Dalbec was drafted out of college as a third baseman but has since been shifted to first base. He's able to go back across the diamond if Devers needs a day or two.
TOP PROSPECTS:
1) Blaze Jordan
The Red Sox selected Jordan in the third round in 2020 because of his bat and enormous power potential. He gained acclaim by winning a number of home run hitting contests in high school and his bat remains his principal calling card.
There's some debate about where he's best-suited long-term, but for now, he's considered mostly a third baseman. His size and lack of agility, however, suggest that he will eventually end up at first base, or perhaps even DH.
MLB Profile: Slug-first prospect who will rise or fall based on what he does in the batter's box, first and foremost. If he can become more consistent and get to his power more regularly, the Red Sox will find a place for him in the lineup somehow and worry about his glove later.
ETA: 2025
2) Alex Binelas
Obtained as the central piece in the surprise deal which sent Hunter Renfroe to the Milwaukee Brewers, Binelas, like Jordan, possesses scary power, and having starred in college (Louisville), is a more refined hitter. Like Jordan, however, he's somewhat suspect defensively and figures to contribute either in the outfield or at first base.
For now, he's playing third. But really, it's all about the bat, and like Jordan, his ultimate landing spot in the diamond is secondary when it comes to projections.
MLB Profile: A lefty hitter with plus to plus-plus power potential, Binelas is currently raw but with plenty of offensive upside.
ETA: Late 2024.
3) Hudson Potts
Potts, too, was acquired in a trade — part of the prospect return for Mitch Moreland at the 2020 trade deadline. A former first-round pick of the Padres, Potts has been part of the Red Sox' 40-man roster for the last 14 months, He spent last season at Portland and while he flashed some power (11 homers in 78 games), he also fanned 100 times in just 281 at-bats. Worse, he drew a mere 16 walks, a clear sign that he needs to improve both his contact rate and his plate discipline.
Like Binelas, Potts will most likely end up at either first or left field, but the Sox intend to keep him at third for a second season at Double A and see if his bat can show refinement and whether he can hit enough to remain at the position.
MLB Profile: Potts has the potential to deliver decent power at the big-league level but needs to improve his offensive game from top-to-bottom. If he does that, his position will be determined by opportunity.
ETA: Late 2023
4) Brandon Howlett
Howlett was an 18th-round pick in the 2018 draft, but has emerged as a dark-horse prospect with a strong year (.815 OPS) at High A Greenville last season. Howlett doesn't have the plus raw power that some of the other prospects can boast of on this list, but he's not slap hitter either — with 17 homers last season.
Defensively, he's at least average for the position, and shows good instincts and has decent arm strength.
MLB Profile: Could turn into a solid, everyday contributor even if he lacks any one standout skill.
ETA: Late 2024