Minor Notes: May rankings released, FCL Sox get underway
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May rankings released
We have announced the newest update to the system's prospect rankings. Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, and David Hamilton have all graduated. The top three spots remain the same as before, while Miguel Bleis and Yoeilin Cespedes each move up a spot. Nazzan Zanetello also takes a four-spot leap that lands him back in the top 10. You can check out the rankings history here.
FCL Sox begin season
The Florida Complex League has gotten underway, as their first game was yesterday. Check out the recap in the Cup of Coffee. The biggest name to watch is Yoeilin Cespedes, who was just bumped into the number five spot in the May rankings. He was also listed as one of the "10 Players to Watch in the 2024 Florida Complex League" by Josh Norris of Baseball America. He hit .346/.392/.560 in 46 games for the DSL Sox last year. Franklin Arias, who is currently ranked 22nd in the system, is the only other player on the FCL roster who is ranked in the top 30. Arias is an 18-year-old shortstop who was signed as an international free agent in January of 2023. Last year with the DSL Sox, he hit .350/.440/.453 in 37 games with 11 extra-base hits, 19 walks, and only 14 strikeouts.
New podcast episode
Speaking of the FCL, Ian Cundall and Chris Clegg got together on the latest edition of the SoxProspects.com podcast to discuss the release of the FCL roster. They also dive into what they've seen from the other levels of the minors this past month.
Sox option Valdez, Dalbec to Worcester
With the additions of Zack Short and Vaughn Grissom to the major league roster, Boston sent Bobby Dalbec and Enmanuel Valdez back to Triple-A. Dalbec and Valdez were both struggling to get it going on the offensive side, as Dalbec was hitting .132 with a .377 OPS, while Valdez was hitting .156 with a .452 OPS. Since going 0 for 5 in his first Triple-A game, Valdez is 6 for 11 with three doubles and a home run over his last three games with the WooSox. Dalbec has also been swinging a hot bat in Worcester, hitting .300/.462/.600 with a home run over three games.
Players of the Week for April 29-May 5
Kristian Campbell, INF/OF, Greenville Drive
5 G, 20 AB, 10 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 5 R, 7 RBI, .500/.545/1.050
Campbell (pictured) had a huge week for Greenville to raise his season slash line to .288/.390/.561 over 18 games. Primarily a second baseman, Campbell has also seen action in center field this season. The 21-year-old right-handed hitter was drafted last season by Boston in the fourth round out of Georgia Tech. After tearing up rookie ball last year to the tune of a 1.082 OPS in eight games, Campbell played 14 games with the Drive where he continued to play well, hitting .267/.400/.422. Campbell took home another SoxProspects.com Player of the Week award back in September of last season. He was bumped up from 22nd to 20th in the newest rankings update.
Blake Wehunt, RHP, Salem Red Sox
1 G, 1-0, 5 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K
The Pitcher of the Week award also goes to a 2023 draft pick. Wehunt was selected by the Sox in the ninth round last year out of Kennesaw State. The righty is off to a tremendous start in 2024, posting a 1.15 ERA over four starts. He has tossed 15 2/3 innings with 20 strikeouts and an opponent batting average of just .148. He features a fastball around 93-94 MPH along with a slider and a splitter. Wehunt was also named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week for this past week as well. He is currently ranked 38th in the system.
Photo Credit: Kristian Campbell by Kelly O'Connor