Anderson Espinoza Impresses in Season Debut

(Photo Source: MiLB.com)

The Red Sox top pitching prospect, Anderson Espinoza, may only be 18-years old - but he is already showing everyone that he will be ready for the majors sooner rather than later.

There was a lot of hype leading up to the young pitchers debut after he posted a 1.23 ERA and 0.94 WHIP while striking out 65 batters over 58.1 innings between the Gulf Coast League Red Sox and the Single-A Greenville Drive last season - and he did not disappoint.

In just his second start at the Single-A level, Espinoza fired five shutout innings allowing just two hits and no walks while striking out four. He allowed a lead off single before retiring the next seven batters in order. 

It was just the first time in the young Venezuelan's career that he hit the five inning mark in the minor leagues. Greenville's manager, Darren Fenster, advised that they will be keeping a close eye on his innings as he moves forward in his development. 

"We're going to manage his innings," Fenster told Michael Leboff of MiLB.com. "It's his first full year in pro ball, so we're going to be conservative." 

Considered 'untouchable' in offseason trade talks, the Red Sox have not been shy about the faith they have in the young righty. If Espinoza can continue to dominate the Minor Leagues at such a young age, it may not be long before he joins David Price and the big league staff. 

Former Yard Goat Trevor Story Making History in the Majors

(Photo Source: Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America)

With two swings of the bat on Friday night, Colorado Rockies' shortstop and former member of the Hartford Yard Goats (then New Britain Rock Cats) Trevor Story continues to rewrite the history books. 

After last night's two home run gem in his first game at Coors field, Story becomes the first person in the last 100 years to homer in his first four major league starts and only the fifth player to accomplish the feat in his teams first four games.

 “Special,” Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez told CBS Denver. “Never seen anything like this before. Every day, a new record. It’s nice to see a teammate of yours play the way he [has played]. Hopefully, that’s just the beginning.”

Story spent the first 69 games of last season with the Colorado Rockies' Double-A affiliate the New Britain Rock Goats, who have relocated to Hartford and changed their name to the Yard Goats for the 2016 season. While he looked impressive in New Britain hitting .281/.373/.523 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs - it hardly forecast his historic MLB start.

In fact, Story was not even slated to become the Rockies' starting shortstop until it was announced that Jose Reyes would serve an indefinite suspension for his involvement in domestic abuse allegations. Nonetheless, Story has taken his opportunity and ran with it.

“I’m just excited to get there and get out on the field and get familiar with and play in front of the Rockies fans,” explained Story.

As far as the home runs go, it's not something he is worried about.

"I've said it before, I'm not trying to hit home runs, sometimes it kind of happens," Story said.

Story will have a chance to continue his historic streak tonight when the Rockies take on the San Diego Padres in the second game of the three-game series at Coors Field. Unfortunately for him, the Padres will send lefty Drew Pomeranz to the mound. In 71 at-bats against left-handed pitching last season, Story hit just .197/.284/.338 with a single home run and eight RBIs.

It seems as though if any pitcher is going to cool down Story's white hot bat, it will be a southpaw.

Aaron Wilkerson Shines in Sea Dogs' Season Debut

(Photo Source: Portland Sea Dogs)

If you saw Portland Sea Dogs starter Aaron Wilkerson pitch last night, it would be tough to believe he was an undrafted free agent, who was traded four times in independent league baseball.

Earning the Opening Day nod for the Red Sox Double-A affiliate, Wilkerson fanned a career-high 11 men as he helped the Sea Dogs top the Reading Fightin’ Phils in Reading, 3-1.

Statistically speaking, it was the sharpest outing of his career in the Red Sox organization as he allowed just three base runners in 5.2 innings (two hits and a walk). And, as previously mentioned, he struck out just about two hitters per inning.

At 26, Wilkerson is not topping out any Red Sox prospect lists. But last season, he started the year in the back end of the Low-A Greenville Drive’s bullpen. And he finished it off going 4-1 with a 2.66 ERA in seven starts for the Sea Dogs.

With strong numbers in Portland, like he had at the end of last season, Wilkerson could be in line for a promotion to Pawtucket by mid-season where he would join fellow undrafted free agents Robby Scott and Dan Butler. Butler made his MLB debut with Boston in 2014.

Moncada, Benintendi Explode in Salem's Season Opener

(Photo Source: Wikipedia)

Two of the Red Sox top four prospects began their season in high-A Salem last night and proceeded to show everyone just exactly what all the hype is about. 

Red Sox number one prospect Yoan Moncada, alongside number four prospect Andrew Benintendi, combined to go 6-for-9 with four RBIs and four runs scored in Salem's 13-4 victory over Carolina in their season opener. 

Moncada led off the game with one of four straight singles before coming around to score on a Benintendi RBI single in the bottom of the first. Salem would bat around in that first inning scoring five runs on seven hits. 

Benintendi stepped in the box for his second at bat in the bottom of the second inning and promptly drilled an RBI triple to right field scoring shortstop Mauricio Dubon. 

The Cuban phenom Moncada followed suit with his second hit of the contest the following inning, an RBI single that scored left fielder Mike Meyers, before Benintendi drove him in with his third hit in as many innings - an RBI double. 

Benintendi came to bat in the bottom of the fifth inning needing only a home run to complete the cycle, but would single to centerfield and fly out in his next two at-bats. Had the bottom of the ninth been needed for Salem, the 2015 first-round draft pick would have had one more chance to complete the cycle on Opening Day. 

Daniel McGrath got the start for Salem and earned his first victory of the season, tossing six innings of three-run ball on four hits and a walk. 

Salem will take on Carolina once again tonight from Lewisgale Field at 7:05pm.