We knew the Sox didn't have much left in the cupboard, but I didn't think we were this bare.
ESPN's Keith Law has released his list of the top 100 prospects in baseball, and only two players in the Sox system were ranked. And they weren't that high on the list. And when I say "not that high", I mean "low". Really, really, really, crazily low.
The Red Sox have just two prospects that crack Law's Top 100. Infielder Xander Bogaerts is his top Sox prospect, coming in at No. 62.
Law says Bogaerts has excellent bat speed, and "a very rotational swing with great extension through contact." He also notes that while Bogaerts is currently a shortstop, third base is the probable destination.
The second prospect for the Sox was last on Law's list. Black Swihart came in at No. 100. Says Law, "Swihart is raw on both sides of the ball but extremely athletic with the bat speed and arm strength to profile as a potential All-Star at a number of skill positions."
Two Red Sox prospects just missed the list, 3B Will Middlebrooks and C Ryan Lavarnway.
Yikes. Also worth noting, two of the players the Sox sent to San Diego in the Gonzalez trade are ranked in the 30's. Casey Kelly is 32 while Anthony Rizzo is 36.
This is the reason that Scott is content with shipping Jacoby out of town for a bevy of prospects (although I doubt I'll ever climb aboard that train).
But before we get too down on ourselves, this is one man's rankings based on what he foresees these players becoming some day. And in the world of baseball prospects, there is no sure thing. Plus, when Jose Iglesias is putting his 12th consecutive gold glove award on his mantle we'll look back on this list and laugh. Jose may not be the top prospect on Keith Law's list, but he is the top prospect in our hearts.
