Prospects Get Big League Lessons at Rookie Development Program

Ten Red Sox prospects convened in Boston this week for the organization’s annual Rookie Development Program, aimed at integrating players who are considered to be within 18-months of becoming full-fledged big leaguers.

The opportunity to meet and learn from veteran players and coaches on what it takes to reach the majors, and more importantly remain there, tends to become an invaluable resource for the small few who get to participate, and although this year the participants may have had a bit more experience with the process of reaching Boston, there was plenty to be learned throughout the week.

“It gives it a different flavor, having guys with experience, having guys in the meeting sessions guys being able to talk about what their first couple of days were like and what that meant to them,” said Ben Crockett, the Red Sox director of player development. “Great for participation, great for guys to have some perspective and then maybe get some new information that might help them in their second stint up or as there trying to establish themselves.”

“There’s about five [guys] that already have big league time,” said catcher Blake Swihart, widely regarded as Boston’s top prospect. “It’s good in these meetings that we’re having, getting their input on everything and how they went about their business when they were up there. It’s helping out a lot.”

Joining Swihart were outfielders Rusney Castillo, Mookie Betts and Henry Ramos, second baseman Sean Coyle and pitchers Brian Johnson, Eduardo Rodriguez, Edwin Escobar, Heath Hembree and Zach Spruill.

Throughout the week the group heard from the likes of former big leaguers Jason Varitek, John MacDonald, Chili Davis and Juan Nieves, gathering from them the ins-and-outs of both the organization and the league, and how to succeed within both, especially within the current social media climate.

They even got a nice chance to unwind a bit on Wednesday, taking in the Celtics game against the Atlanta Hawks.

“I had never been in the Garden,” said Johnson. “It was cool, it was a different experience. I had been to a handful of Red Sox games, but it was cool to see a different side of Boston fans at a basketball game. It’s cool to get a taste and different look at the fan base, other than the Red Sox. “

The players also got a chance to loosen up the limbs and get down to playing some baseball, ultimately fueling the fire that will burn within these guys until they can get down to Spring Training within the next month.

“It’s such a head start into spring training,” said Johnson. “Last year, it was great, but I’m so ready for this year to come up. This [program] is great…you want to take every advantage you can.”

CASTILLO HOPES TOUR ENDS IN BOSTON
Last season was a whirlwind for Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo.

After signing with Boston in August he did a tour of the minor league system, with stops in Florida, Maine and Rhode Island, before making his big league debut mid-September.

Castillo did well in his 10 games with the big club, hitting .333 with 2 home runs, 6 RBIs and 3 stolen bases, but the tour was not over just yet.

Before the year ended he had two more stops to make, Arizona and Puerto Rico, yet in the end, he admits to feeling no worse for the wear and is now looking to make a permanent home in Boston’s outfield with an emphasis on having a more consistent routine this time around.

“More than anything it will help to establish a regular routine, but honestly that didn’t affect me all that much last year,” said Castillo through an interpreter. “It will come down to commitment and discipline this year. It will be nice to start to establish more comfort.”

The 27-year-old cleared every hurdle put in front of him last season, showing improvement at each level as he regained his baseball acumen following down time for nearly a year after his defection.

This has not been lost on the Red Sox brass, who continue to be impressed by Castillo’s work ethic and desire to continue to absorb all he can.

“He’s been tremendous,” said Crockett. “He’s really focused in everything he does. He has a tremendous routine that start in the cage every day. He has a tremendous workout routine that he’s been really dedicated to. At the same time he wants to learn. He’s asked a lot of questions, he wants to take in the things that he can from what we’re doing, and implement those into his routine.

“Despite all that movement and despite all the change that he’s had, he’s been able to stay focused on playing.”

And despite a glut of outfielders for Boston to now choose from, Castillo remains confident that he’ll be one of the main choices.

“I’m obviously preparing myself and doing everything I can to be in a good place to be a regular everyday player,” he concluded.

SOUTHPAWS SHINING
While the recent wealth of pitching talent at the higher levels have been righthanders for the most part – Matt Barnes, Anthony Ranaudo, Brandon Workman – there is a new core crop of hurlers looking to impress from the left side.

Henry Owens was part of the Rookie Development Program a year ago, and this year Brian Johnson, Eduardo Rodriguez and Edwin Escobar were involved, lending plenty of hype to a group that could all start the season together in Pawtucket.

“Any time you have a group of competitive guys in the starting rotation, I think they push each other,” said Crockett. “There’s positive gains to be made when they’re able to compare themselves as lefthanders or guys with similar stuff or attack plans. Each guy’s got to pitch to their own strengths, but being able to watch how the team approached the previous guys gives them some insight.

While Owens and Johnson were on point from the start of their season last year in Portland, Escobar and Rodriguez, both late season acquisitions by the Red Sox, seamlessly slid into the mix, all eventually making it to Pawtucket by year’s end.

This year will obviously be crucial to every player, but for the group of southpaws, it could provide a strong glimpse into a future Red Sox staff, which could be a nightmare to left-handed hitters in particular.

“They are a group and they like to push each other and cheer for each other,” said Crockett. “I think that’s a really important part of the rotation.”

ON THE CLOCK
The recent implementation of a twenty-second pitch clock to both the Double-A and Triple-A levels does not seem to be a big concern across the board.

For Johnson, it’s a callback to his days at the University of Florida where the same practice was used by all SEC schools.

“I work at such a quick pace that I didn’t even notice it,” Johnson said of his past experiences with the pitch clock. “[Gators head coach] Kevin O’Sullivan, when we were in Florida, really made us focus on good pace. I’m just going to keep going about it with my good pace and not let the hitter dictate.”

The new clock, which was used experimentally during the Arizona Fall League last year, has been put in place in an effort to speed up the time of games and the pace of play.

It is first being rolled out at the minor league levels to determine it’s possible worth in the big leagues, but for Swihart, keeping his pitchers within a twenty second limit will not be a problem.

“I like to control the pace of our pitchers,” said Swihart. “If they have a good rhythm and good pace going then we’re going to stay with that rhythm and I think that’s easily under twenty seconds. Get the ball, get back on the mound. It’s time to play.”

MLB officials have not announced the exact details of the rules at this point, only that they will be used at the two highest minor league levels, with more to follow as the season nears.