Red Sox @ Rays Game Thread/22nd-24th Jume 2021

Rays To Promote Wander Franco

By Anthony Franco | June 20, 2021 at 11:01pm CDT

The Rays announced they’ll select the contract of top infield prospect Wander Franco prior to Tuesday’s game against the Red Sox. Tampa Bay has lost six straight, falling half a game behind Boston in the American League East. With a three-game series against the division leaders upcoming, the Rays have decided it’s time to bring up the league’s most heralded prospect.

Franco, 20, is seen by public prospect rankers as a transcendent talent. Baseball America has ranked him the game’s top prospect in each of the past two seasons, calling him an “exceptionally advanced” hitter with potential plus raw power and average defense at shortstop. In February, Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs ranked Franco as the only 80-grade prospect around baseball, placing him in a tier of his own among non-MLB players. Longenhagen projects him as a top-of-the-scale hitter, raving about his bat control, pitch recognition and raw power, and calls him a possible “generational talent and annual MVP contender.” Keith Law of the Athletic praised Franco’s “ridiculous hand speed,” incredible plate discipline and above-average power projection, suggesting he should immediately be able to post a high batting average and on-base percentage and could be “an MVP candidate at his peak.”

Not only does Franco check all the boxes from a visual evaluation perspective, his minor league performance has been truly incredible. Despite being young for every level at which he’s played, Franco has compiled a .333/.400/.538 line in parts of three professional seasons. He reached Triple-A Durham for the first time in 2021 and showed no signs of slowing down. Through 173 plate appearances with the Bulls, Franco has hit .323/.376/.601 with seven homers despite being the league’s youngest player. Out of 102 qualified hitters in Triple-A East, the switch-hitting Franco ranks seventeenth in on-base percentage and seventh in slugging percentage.

As one might expect for someone who draws such praise for his hit tool, Franco has very rarely gone down on strikes in the minors. His 11.6% strikeout rate in Triple-A this season is the highest of his career, and that’s still less than half the MLB average mark of 23.4%. Over the course of his minor league career, Franco has punched out in just 7.9% of his plate appearances while walking a strong 10% of the time.

Franco is the most talented of a trio of very highly-regarded infield prospects in the Rays system (alongside Taylor Walls and Vidal Bruján). That glut of high minors talent no doubt played a role in Tampa Bay’s decision to trade shortstop Willy Adames to the Brewers for relievers J.P. Feyereisen and Drew Rasmussen last month. Walls got his first big league call in the immediate aftermath of that deal. He’s played quite well, hitting .237/.356/.355 over his first 90 MLB plate appearances while playing strong defense at shortstop.

Walls is generally regarded as a superior defender to Franco, so it remains to be seen precisely how manager Kevin Cash will deploy a talented infield mix that also includes Brandon Lowe, Joey Wendle, Yandy Díaz and Ji-Man Choi. Regardless of whether the Rays immediately install Franco as the primary shortstop or bounce him around the diamond (he’s seen some action at both second and third base in Durham this year in case he’s needed to play a multi-positional role), it’s safe to assume he’ll be in the lineup on a more-or-less everyday basis in some capacity.

Franco is not yet on the 40-man roster, so the Rays will need to make another move to formally accommodate the selection of his contract. We’re well past the point on the calendar at which a newly-promoted player can accumulate a full year of MLB service. Even if Franco sticks in the majors from here on out, the Rays will thus be able to control him through the end of the 2027 season.

He also seems highly unlikely to crack the Super Two threshold for early arbitration eligibility during the 2023-24 offseason. Franco will earn somewhere in the neighborhood of 105 days of MLB service this year if he remains on the big league roster. That’d put him at approximately 2.105 years at the end of the 2023 campaign. In recent seasons, the Super Two cutoff has come in at 2.115 years of service or above. In all likelihood, Franco won’t reach arbitration eligibility until the conclusion of the 2024 season.

Rays fans will be thrilled to get their first look at a player they no doubt hope will become the face of the franchise. Franco has as good a chance as anyone in the minors of emerging as a true superstar over the coming seasons, and the organization believes him capable of making an immediate impact in the 2021 pennant race. The game has seen an influx of fantastic young talents in recent years. By all accounts, Franco has a reasonable shot to become the next member of that group.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link) first reported Franco’s impending call-up.

5 fixes the Red Sox need to pull away from Rays


By Rob Bradford
3 hours ago

Anyone who watched the Red Sox' 7-3 loss to the Royals Sunday afternoon might come away thinking that this team is so far from pulling away from anyone in the American League East.

Starting pitching. Nope. Defense. Certainly not. Across-the-board hitting. Not really. Sorry, those were the impressions left at least for one day against less-than-impressive Royals team.

But if there is anything we've learned from this edition from the Red Sox team it is that every time we start to get the kind of uneasy vibes the series finale left behind, some sort of positive punctuation was on the way.

It's the reason on June 21 the Red Sox sit in first-place in the American League East, 1/2 game ahead of second-place Tampa Bay, 4 1/2 up on the Yankees and a full seven games on top of Toronto.

Alex Cora's team is a 1/2-game away from owning the best record in the American League with a respectable plus-34 run-differential, the seventh-best mark in the majors.

Now comes the Red Sox' best opportunity to date -- three games against the Rays leading into three more with the Yankees.

To give an idea of how this time of year can present very real crossroads, just think back to June 21, 2018. On that day the Red Sox and Yankees were deadlocked atop the A.L. East standings. Over the next month the Red Sox went 21-5, allowing for a 4 1/2-game lead over the Yankees.

So, how can the Sox repeat history? Here are some thoughts ...

FIND A SEMBLANCE OF AN ACE

Nathan Eovaldi's outing against the Royals was yet another reminder of the bind the Red Sox find themselves. They simply don't have that starter you absolutely know will give you six solid innings. He was trending toward becoming that, but then ... the sad trombone that was four innings on 87 pitches.

It has been a theme with this team. Starters offer glimpses of hope only to be mired into a collection of starts resulting in fewer than five innings.

The really good teams -- which the Red Sox want to classify themselves as -- have at least one starter who you know will offer innings while others are trying to figure it out. During that run in 2018, for instance, the Sox got starts of six or more innings 12 times, going 11-1 with that sort of output.

It's why Tyler Glasnow's injury was such a hit to the Rays. He was that guy. Just like Kevin Gausman (Giants), Trevor Bauer (Dodgers), Walker Buehler (Dodgers), Chris Bassitt (A's), Zack Wheeler (Phillies), Zack Greinke (Astros), and Gerrit Cole (Yankees) are for their respective teams.

While the Red Sox are middle-of-the-pack in starters innings this month, their starters' collective record is just 3-8 with a 5.79 ERA. Also, for June they have the third-worst WHIP in baseball.

Somebody needs to step up.

THEY NEED A LEADOFF HITTER

This isn't anything new, and the Red Sox certainly have gotten by without consistent production at the top spot.

But the importance of having a capable hitter in the No. 1 spot was highlighted once again Sunday, with the light-hitting Marwin Gonzalez (who had filled in for an injured Christian Arroyo) coming up as the potential game-tying run in the eighth inning. The result was an inning-ending double play.

This team doesn't have a logical fit for the leadoff spot. That is understood. But if that is the case the priority should be giving a hot/capable hitter an opportunity for another at-bat. Just because Danny Santana can run a little doesn't mean you want him to have one more at-bat than any really anyone else in the batting order.

Maybe you give Enrique Hernandez another whirl considering he has managed an .810 OPS over the last 10 days. Or you think outside-the-box with Hunter Renfroe. Then there is the notion of sliding up Alex Verdugo and figuring the rest.

Worst leadoff OPS in baseball. Second-fewest walks. Third-worst batting average. It has to be better.

Thought: Boy, the Royals' Whit Merrifield would sure look good on this team, wouldn't he?

ONE MORE BRIDGE GUY

The Red Sox aren't as desperate in this area as they were heading into June. Then the path to Matt Barnes was consistently inconsistent.

But some solutions have been uncovered thanks to Adam Ottavino and Josh Taylor, with neither pitcher allowing an inherited runner to score in June while giving up a combined two runs in 12 2/3 innings.

The next tier, hasn't been bad either. Hirokazu Sawamura (.156 batting average against in June), Darwinzon Hernandez (.200 BAA) and Garrett Whitlock (0.90 ERA in 10 innings) have become more of the solution than the problem.

But if the Red Sox' starters are going to keep jumping ship after four or five innings, every one of these guys are going to be stretched.

Perhaps Tanner Houck will be part of this equation, either morphing into the multi-inning reliever the likes of Matt Andriese and Whitlock lived life as, or pushing a current starter into that role.

Down the road, Chris Sale's presence might have the same impact, allowing the Red Sox identify one of their starters as a legitimate weapon out of the bullpen.

Thought: Boy, the Pirates' Richard Rodriguez would sure look good on this team, wouldn't he?

NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME FOR A JUMPSTART

It was no coincidence that part of the aforementioned late June run by the Red Sox in 2018 coincided with Dave Dombrowski trading for Steve Pearce.

Sometimes it pays to not wait around until the end of July for a difference-maker.

It's a dynamic the Rays are banking on with the promotion of baseball's top prospect, Wander Franco. And it might be a good time for the Red Sox to start entertaining their own set of jumper cables in the form of Jarren Duran.

Duran is clearly feeling pretty good about himself after his well-received stint with Team USA and some momentous moments with Triple-A Worcester since his return. (Duran hit a three-run, walk-off homer for the WooSox Sunday.) It's the kind of confidence that can go a long way when finding the right time to make such a move.

The Red Sox waited until late July to make such a commitment with Rafael Devers, with the addition paying off big-time for that 2017 team. But with Arroyo most likely down for a bit with his knee ailment, it would seem to be a good time to slide Hernandez to second base while integrating Duran.

Probably not going to happen, but it certainly should be something to think about.

IT'S TIME FOR A FEW GUYS TO GET HOTTER THAN HOT

We know that a huge part of the foundation for this team is the middle of the order -- Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, J.D. Martinez and Alex Verdugo. They represent the fail-safe.

But you know what really put the Red Sox over the top in that 21-5 run? Mookie Betts (hitting .389 with a 1.140 OPS), Martinez (.364, 1.112), Andrew Benintendi (.341, .911), Bogaerts (.287, .946) and Pearce (.394, 1.111) all were awesome.

The Red Sox need some guys to be awesome.

It's not complicated. Winning baseball rarely is.

Calling up Jarren Duran could put a much-needed charge into scuffling Red Sox
By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated June 21, 2021, 6:52 p.m.

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays reacted to a six-game losing streak by calling up Wander Franco, a 20-year-old shortstop every expert agrees is the best prospect in baseball.

He’ll be in the lineup Tuesday night when the second-place Rays host the first-place Red Sox to start a three-game series.

Franco has only 39 games of minor league experience above Single A ball and will be the youngest player in the major leagues by nearly 15 months once he steps foot on the field.

But the Rays aren’t waiting. They need a spark and believe Franco can provide it.

When will the Red Sox make their move?

The Sox are 43-29, far better than anybody outside of their clubhouse thought they would be when the season started. But they’re 6-6 in their last 12 games and 11-9 in the last 20.

Their offense, pitching, and defense have all fallen back. The Sox lost two of three in Kansas City over the weekend and were dragging Sunday.

The rotation — 1-6 with an 8.03 earned run average in the last 12 games — has been particularly awful. Maybe it’s regression, a tougher schedule, or having to throw out the sticky stuff. Whatever the reason, the Sox need some energy.

The Sox don’t have a Franco in their system. Nobody does. But they do have 24-year-old outfielder Jarren Duran, who has a 1.006 OPS in 30 games for Triple A Worcester along with 12 home runs. The latest was a three-run walk-off blast Sunday.

Duran hasn’t run much — six steals in eight attempts — but has the kind of speed that can change a game. He also needs more work learning to play center field and cutting down his strikeouts.

There’s no indication the Sox will promote Duran. But he represents their best hope to get a jolt from within the organization at a time when it’s needed.


It’s worth a try at this point, especially with a series against the Yankees coming up Friday.

That Duran ably handled the pressure of playing for Team USA in the Olympic qualifying tournament earlier this month suggests he wouldn’t be overmatched by the expectations and atmosphere.

Team USA played what were essentially four must-win games, and Duran was 7 of 19 with three runs scored, three RBIs, and three extra-base hits.

Kiké Hernández has played center field well, but not so well that the Sox would be taking a big risk by playing Duran there. That would allow Hernández to return to the super utility role that fits him best, with a focus on second base.

Franchy Cordero has hit like Ted Williams since being demoted to Triple A. But that has been his history; he mashes in the minors and struggles in the majors.

Bringing Cordero back to play left field and hit eighth wouldn’t change the tone much. Promoting Duran would. He is banging on the door and the Sox have to open it at some point.

There is an alternative. The Sox could wait and hit the division with a double shot of Duran and Chris Sale at some point in late July.
Related: Red Sox star prospect Jarren Duran took his father’s advice, hit the gym, and became a different hitter

Sale is ramping up his rehabilitation and could pitch his first minor league game before the All-Star Game.

But can the Sox afford to tread water? The Rays lost six straight and returned home only a half-game out of first. The underachieving Yankees have won five of their last six games.

The Blue Jays are muddling along at 35-35 but are about to get George Springer back and play 15 of their next 21 games against teams with losing records. They’re a dangerous team.

Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom has consistently said the Sox can’t overlook the future as they tend to the present.

Agreed. There’s no reason to trade any prospects at this point or deviate from the long-term plan with some rash move.

Promoting Duran serves the present and doesn’t damage the future. He turns 25 in September and it’s starting to feel like they’re wasting his prime in Worcester.

The Rays are pushing their chips in. The Sox should see that bet.

Mastrodonato: Rays-Red Sox series will mark debut of Wander Franco, but what’s the holdup on Jarren Duran?
Red Sox, Rays enter critical three-game series at Tropicana Field

By Jason Mastrodonato | jason.mastrodonato@bostonherald.com | Boston Herald
June 22, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

No pressure, kid.

Wander Franco, the consensus top prospect in baseball the last two years, is being called up by the Tampa Bay Rays to make his big league debut against the Red Sox on Tuesday.

For the Rays to call up Franco in the midst of a six-game losing streak, their worst in more than three years, is a bold move. It’s asking a lot of a player who already has the baseball world on his shoulders.

But the timing of the decision speaks volumes of how much the Rays respect the Red Sox.

With the American League East as tight as it’s been in years, the Sox and Rays have jockeyed for position at the top of the division for the better part of the last month. The Rays enter Tuesday a half-game behind thanks to an ugly stretch in which they’re hitting .198 and just lost their ace, Tyler Glasnow, to an elbow injury that could cost him his season.

There’s no doubt about it, the Rays are reeling and the Red Sox have a chance to kick them while they’re down.

“It’s going to be a big series,” Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi said. “But we have a good off-day and they have an off-day as well coming up on the West Coast. Turn the page as fast as we can and get ready to compete. It’s going to be a good series for us.”

It looks like a great matchup for the Sox hitters, who love to swing. They’re swinging 50% of the time this year, highest rate in the big leagues, while walking just 7% of the time, lowest rate in the big leagues. It’s a perfect fit against an aggressive Rays’ pitching staff that likes to challenge hitters in the zone and has the second-lowest walk rate in MLB.

But the Rays have excelled where the Red Sox haven’t: on defense.

The Rays called up Taylor Walls to solidify the shortstop position after trading Willy Adames to the Brewers, a move that was controversial but makes sense now that Franco is being added to the big league roster.

“One thing they’re very consistent regardless of their pitching or offense, defensively they’re really good,” Sox manager Alex Cora said. “When you don’t slump defensively you give yourself a chance. They have some moving pieces, they got rid of Willy, who I thought was their anchor defensively and this kid (Walls) is playing well from what I’ve seen.”

Meanwhile, the Red Sox are coming off a terrible series defensively. Rafael Devers has been inconsistent at third base, Bobby Dalbec is still a work in progress at first base and the Sox have gotten sloppy overall.

There are also questions to be answered at second base after Christian Arroyo went down with a scary knee/leg injury. X-rays were negative but Arroyo was clearly hurting and it’d be a surprise if he was available in this series.

With Marwin Gonzalez still struggling at the plate, the logical move is to move Kiké Hernandez to second base and call up outfield prospect Jarren Duran, who hit a three-run walk-off homer for the Triple-A WooSox on Sunday.

Duran now has 12 homers in 30 games and a .286 average. He’s drawn rave reviews for his defense by Team USA manager Mike Scioscia. And he could give the Sox a speedy and dangerous leadoff hitter that they’ve been seriously lacking.

The Rays are a team that doesn’t cut corners when it comes to saving money, and for them to reach into their farm system and call up their top prospect for this series is a sign they’re not worried about Franco’s eligible as a Super 2 player. It’s around mid-June every year that even the most cost-efficient teams feel comfortable adding prospects to the big league team without burning an extra year of cheap control.

The Red Sox have resisted, instead using Michael Chavis whenever they need help. They also have Franchy Cordero hitting well in the minors, but he’s more of a corner outfielder and that’d require moving Alex Verdugo or Hunter Renfroe to center field.

It’s only a matter of time for Duran, and if the Rays can turn their losing streak around and flatten the Red Sox this series, pressure will mount on Chaim Bloom to make the move.

The Rays already went there with Franco. The 20-year-old is hitting .315 with 24 extra-base hits in 39 games in Triple-A this season.

It’s a lot to ask of a rookie in the midst of a losing streak, but he gives them their best chance in the most critical series of the year.

It appears the Red Sox are still more focused on the future.