Lou Merloni reacts to Alex Cora’s comments about why he didn’t feel the need to bring the sign-stealing system from Houston to Boston
Baseball America released its top 10 Red Sox prospects list on Thursday, and even casual fans will recognize most of the names.
Former first-round pick Triston Casas is No. 1. Jeter Downs, the best prospect acquired in the Mookie Betts deal, is No. 2. Slugging Bobby Dalbec, flame-throwing Bryan Mata, and comebacking Jay Groome also make appearances.
There's one player, though, who has yet to receive a ton of headlines, even though he's one of the most exciting players in the system. Switch-hitting outfielder Gilberto Jimenez checked in at No. 7 on BA's list, but it would hardly qualify as a shock if he vaults into the top three next year.
With our All Access Daily newsletter, stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Boston sports teams!
SIGN UP HERE Tomase: What's the Boston ETA for Red Sox Top 10 prospects?
Signed out of the Dominican for only $10,000 in 2017 at age 17, Jimenez possesses some of the best pure tools in the system and already grades as the organization's premier athlete, with speed that rivals that of center fielder Jarren Duran and an outfield arm that's second to none.
Jimenez possesses only a year of pro experience stateside, thanks to the pandemic. He was named the organization's Latin program player of the year in 2018 and then hit .359 in his debut at short-season Lowell in 2019, winning a batting title as an 18-year-old facing mostly college kids. He added three homers and 14 steals in 59 games, finishing the season as the No. 4 prospect in the New York-Penn League.
His youth did not make him a candidate for the alternate site, however, so 2020 goes in the books as a lost year of development, though he did get a jump on next year at this fall's Instructional League in Florida.
Boston Red Sox
Find the latest Boston Red Sox news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Boston.
"Gilberto had a good camp," farm director Ben Crockett said in a text message. "He swung the bat well with lots of contact from both sides. He also focused quite a bit on baserunning and base stealing."
Offseason scouting reports: E-Rod | Sale | J.D. Martinez | Vazquez | Bogaerts
A natural right-handed hitter, Jimenez has quickly adapted to switch-hitting, blasting all three of his homers in 2019 from that side and batting .374 against righties. Listed at 5-11, 160, he actually now tips the scale at 220 pounds, and he still has room to grow. As he learns to hit the ball in the air, he should develop more power. When he hits the ball on the ground now, particularly from the left side, his speed lets him beat out infield hits.
With Jackie Bradley Jr. potentially departing in free agency, focus has shifted to the speedy Duran as his possible successor. The 24-year-old is certainly next in line among the internal candidates.
But long-term, don't sleep on Jimenez. The 20-year-old may not be anonymous for much longer.