Tazawa Promoted To AAA PawSox

"Junichi Tazawa, the promising righthander signed by the Red Sox out of Japan's industrial league in the offseason, got word Sunday that he has been promoted from Double A Portland to Triple A Pawtucket.

"He's done a real nice job," Portland Manager Arnie Beyeler told the Portland Press Herald, which was the first to report the story. "He's become a really polished guy. It will be interesting to watch him (Boston.com)."

Tazawa has already surpassed the Sox had for him this season. It was thought that Tazawa was a good 2-3 year project, but he might be able to make an impact in the Big Leagues by next year. Tazawa went 9-5 in 18 starts for the Sea Dogs this season with a 2.57 ERA, which is good for second in the Eastern League. His nine wins are tied for second in the league and his 88 strikeouts are tied for third. He also made the All-Star team for AA, so he is ready to take the next step.

Tazawa made the dcision a lot easier since in his last five starts in Portland, Tazawa had a 1.03 ERA with 22 strikeouts and five walks (Damn!!!!). I wouldn't expect to see him this year, but it is nice to know the Sox have yet another rising star coming out of the minors...

Lars Anderson Update

A lot was made over Red Sox prospect Lars Anderson. He is only 21 years old, but he was unreal last year and seemed to be the inevitable starting first baseman for the Sox in a couple year. Yet this year we don't hear that much about him. Well it's because he really hasn't been all that great. He has slowed to .260 in Double A with 8 homers and 41 RBIs, yet if you look at the number more closely he really isn't that far off. In May he hit just .194. He hit .293 April and a .298 June, so if you cut out May he really isn't having that bad of a season. At some point most prospects hit a bump in the road, and I think this is what is going are with Anderson. Remember he is 21 years old, so I really wouldn't expect this kid to be a full time MLB player for at least another 2-3 years.

Aaron Bates Stepping Up His Game For Sox

Aaron Bates is not a big name in the Sox minor league system, but this is a guy who we might be hearing a lot more from in coming years. He plays 1st and left field (much like Kotsay), and has really developed one of the better swings in the Sox farm system.

Last season Bates had a big leg kick. This led to pitchers to pitch to him on the inside part of the plate. With the leg kick Bates was having trouble catching up to fastballs over 91. This season the Sox encouraged him to drop the leg kick. At first it was awful as he went 5 for 25 with 14 strikeouts, but then every clicked. He now ranks 2nd in the Eastern League with a .345 batting average, and also leads the Sea Dogs in home runs (7) and RBIs (38). His .932 OPS ranks seventh in the league, for which Bates is the reigning player of the week, an award he won twice in May.

They moved him to the outfield since another top prospect (Lars Anderson) was playing 1st. The Sox wanted him to get regular at bats, so he took the move with open arms, while still taking ground balls at first. The Ortiz era coming to a close it is always good to see what is going down in the Sox farm system....keep an eye on this kid.