Boston Red Sox: Jeter Downs offers a glimpse of the future

The Boston Crimson Sox resurgent previous few weeks have seen them catapult up the American League standings. At one level, the Sox had been 10-19, and it was honest to surprise if their season was already over. Ever since then, they’ve gone 28-12, and have put themselves firmly within the playoff image regardless of enjoying in a crowded AL East division.

Boston’s turnaround has been marred by discussions about the way forward for this workforce. Xander Bogaerts can and can choose out of his present deal after this season ends, and Rafael Devers wants an extension in some unspecified time in the future as properly. The entrance workplace’s lack of ability to handle each of those points has forged a darkish shadow on what has been a exceptional stretch of baseball thus far.

With all of the questions surrounding the gamers at the moment on the workforce, the Sox will get a pleasant glimpse of the longer term with the arrival Jeter Downs over the following few days. Downs is the workforce’s fifth ranked prospect, and with all the problems the workforce faces with its present stars, it will likely be good to see what the longer term may appear to be with the arrival of Downs and others.

Jeter Downs may very well be a giant a part of the Boston Crimson Sox future

Downs was one of many prospects picked up within the notorious Mookie Betts commerce with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Except for Alex Verdugo, Downs was thought of the decide of the lot from this commerce, and contemplating what number of Sox followers nonetheless harbor unfavorable emotions over the Betts deal, expectations for Downs might be excessive.

Downs profiles as a 20 homer/20 steal menace regardless of enjoying as a center infielder, and he possesses a stable glove to play a few completely different positions within the infield, though his favored place is shortstop. He has struggled to hit for common all through the minors, and that may should be labored on if he desires to stay within the majors.

To piggyback off that, Downs hasn’t been all that nice for the Worcester Crimson Sox to begin this season. He has 11 residence runs, 21 RBI’s, and 11 steals, however he was additionally hitting simply .180. Downs had comparable struggles final season when he hit simply .191 in Worcester, so it stays to be seen if this might be a problem within the majors.

Downs’ stick with the Sox received’t be for lengthy, nevertheless it presents a glimpse to what the longer term might maintain for this workforce. With Bogaerts’ future up within the air, Downs might issue into the workforce as early as subsequent season. That’s why throughout this stretch of successful, it’s necessary to take a step again and hold a watch out on Downs’ efficiency.

Now we have already seen younger guys like Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck come up and set up themselves as a part of the pitching workers, and Jarren Duran has had a way more profitable stint with the Sox throughout his second go spherical this time round. If Downs can be part of that crew and assist out the most important league squad, that may be nice for the way forward for the workforce.

With guys like Marcelo Mayer, Triston Casas, Nick Yorke, and Bryan Bello rounding out Boston’s prime 5 prospects, we’re starting to see what the way forward for this workforce will appear to be. Whereas Mayer and Yorke in all probability received’t make their main league debut this season, Casas and Bello may observe in Downs’ steps later this season.

In order the Boston Crimson Sox proceed their fast ascent up the American League standings, it’s necessary to take a second to acknowledge the way forward for the workforce. Regardless that Downs went 0-4 with three strikeouts in his debut, his future, and the way forward for this workforce, is vivid. And if they’ll make some noise this season, that may make issues even higher.