Boston has wealth of starters at Double-A
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After seemingly being starved of pitching depth last season, the Red Sox appear to have a wealth of options at the top levels of their minor-league system, CBS Sports Baseball Insider Danny Knobler writes.
"They have four guys in the [Double-A] Portland rotation who all throw 96 [mph] or better," one scout said. "And two more guys out of the bullpen who throw 96."
One such prospect who a scout said is "close to ready" for the big leagues is Double-A Portland's Anthony Ranaudo. A first-round pick in 2010 who was injured most of last year, the 23-year-old is 4-0 with a 1.00 ERA and 30 strikeouts over five starts and 27 innings.
Portland also boasts Matt Barnes, a 2011 first-round pick, Brandon Workman and Drake Britton. Barnes is 2-1 with a 6.75 ERA with 27 Ks over 20 innings. Workman is 4-0 with a 2.80 ERA and 42 Ks over 35 1/3 innings. Britton is 2-2 with a 4.75 ERA and 30 Ks over 30 1/3 innings.
"All four of those guys are going to be good pieces for the Red Sox," a scout said.
