Two players in the Boston Red Sox organization have been named among Keith Law's Top 100 MLB Prospects (ESPN Insider) in a list published on Thursday.
Boston's top prospect, Xander Bogaerts (No. 62) is currently a shortstop, but might project as a third baseman in the future. Signed as an international free agent at the age of 16, Bogaerts quickly proved himself as a top prospect. As an 18-year old this past season, Bogaerts hit .260 with 16 homers and 45 RBI in 72 games with Single-A Greenville.
SB Nation's Minor League Ball described Bogaerts as an already-intriguing prospect who could climb into elite status within the next year or so.
If you have read Newman's chats over at Fangraphs, you would know he is a big fan of Bogaerts, and I can see why. Bogaerts has performed above league average at each level in his minor league career and 2012 could bring more of the same.
I can see him being ranked in many Top 100 prospect lists in 2012, probably in the first half, but with another solid season at the plate, he could be a Top 20 prospect in due time. He may eventually move to third base, but right now he will probably stick at shortstop till he proves he cannot stay at the position. ...
If he can stay at shortstop, not a definite, he could easily be a future Top 10 prospect should he continue to hit for power and improve his plate discipline a bit in 2012.
Blake Swihart was Law's Mr. Irrelevant, the No. 100 prospect, despite owning just six Minor League at-bats to date. A 19-year old catcher who is believed to have plenty of hitting potential, Swihart was drafted in the first round of the 2011 draft and should need plenty of seasoning before reaching the Majors.
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