The Red Sox plan on inviting 11 players to their Rookie Development Program this January. The program offers Sox minor leaguers a chance to meet with major-league personnel (Sox coaches, front-office members and players), acclimate to Boston, familiarize themselves with Fenway Park and work out in a structured environment. Many players have credited the program with having eased their transitions to the major leagues once they are called up. Typically, the Sox try to invite players whom they consider candidates for the major leagues in a 12- to 18-month window.

This year’s invitees are:

RHP Casey Kelly – Fresh off his decision to become a full-time pitcher, Kelly’s involvement further underscores how close the Sox believe he could be to the big leagues

RHP Randor Bierd – Acquired last offseason from the Orioles in exchange for David Pauley, Bierd represents a potential bullpen depth option for the 2010 season. He had a 4.55 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 61 innings for Pawtucket in 2010.

RHP Kyle Weiland – A third-round selection out of Notre Dame in 2008, Weiland had a stunning turnaround during the 2009 season with High-A Salem. He started the year with a 1-5 record and 6.91 ERA in his first 10 starts, yet managed to finish 2009 with a 7-9 record and 3.46 ERA. He has a powerful fastball/slider combination from a three-quarters arm slot that makes him tremendously challenging for right-handed hitters, and could allow him to move quickly as a reliever.

RHP Junichi Tazawa – The 23-year-old Tazawa had a remarkably smooth transition to professional baseball and the United States in 2009, forging a 9-7 record and 2.55 ERA with Double A Portland and Triple A Pawtucket before going 2-3 with a 7.46 ERA in the majors at the end of last year.

RHP Ryne Miller – Miller took advantage of a late-season spell in the rotation. After an excellent season out of the bullpen for both High-A Salem and Double A Portland, he made three year-ending starts, including two shutout outings, while forging a 3.45 ERA and striking out 18 in 15.2 innings. The Sox now want to give him a shot to develop as a starter. Miller’s combined 10-4 record and 2.76 ERA, 97 strikeouts in 94.2 innings represented something of an organizational surprise for an undrafted free-agent.

LHP Felix Doubront – The 22-year-old Doubront is a participant in the Rookie Development Program for the second straight year. He enjoyed a strong 2009 campaign, in which strength gains resulted in a velocity boost. The left-hander touched 94 mph on occasion in 2009, while working comfortably in the low-90s, and he shows a good changeup that can get swings and misses with the potential for a useful curveball. He went 8-6 with a 3.35 ERA in Portland in 2009.

C Luis Exposito – One of the top catching prospects in the Red Sox system, the 22-year-old Exposito enjoyed a strong year in three different stops: High-A Salem (.271/.329/.424/.753), Double-A Portland (.337/.371/.489/.860) and the Arizona Fall League (.314/.364/.431) while demonstrating strong work behind the plate.

SS Jose Iglesias – Iglesias, the 19-year-old defector from Cuba who signed a four-year, $8.25 million deal with the Sox, hit .275 with a .324 OBP and .420 slugging mark in his pro debut in the Arizona Fall League. Some scouts describe his defense as major-league ready right now, though there remain questions about his offense. That said, he is 19, he shows flashes of pop and he is being viewed as a potential Red Sox starting shortstop of the future within the next couple of years.

SS Yamaico Navarro – After a phenomenal 2008 season, Navarro suffered through a broken hamate in April that derailed his year. After surgery, he did quite well in Salem (.319/.373/.543/.916) before struggling upon his promotion to Double-A Portland (.185/.270/.304/.573). Still, the Sox are hopeful that, much as Ryan Kalish did in 2009, Navarro can resume his very promising career path after time to heal and gain strength.

OF Che Hsuan Lin – The 2009 All-Star Futures Game MVP, Lin spent the 2009 season in Salem, hitting .265/.355/.365/.720. He is a tremendous outfielder and one of the fastest baserunners (26 steals in ‘09) in the Sox system. Though his year-end numbers were relatively modest, he enjoyed a strong season after a horrific April.

OF Ryan Kalish – The Red Sox Minor League Position Player of the Year in 2009, Kalish had a big season after seeing his power get sapped in 2008 following his hamate surgery. Kalish hit .304/.434/.504/.938 in Salem, and recovered from a month-long struggle upon his promotion to Portland to hit .271/.341/.440/.781. He bashed a total of 18 homers on the year, including 13 in Portland. The 21-year-old complements a sound plate approach with good outfield defense and baserunning skills (21-for-27 in steal attempts at two levels).

2 Comments for “Red Sox To Invite 11 to Rookie Development Program”

1. Ryan Says:
   December 11th, 2009 at 12:56 pm

   Lin = 2008 All-Star Futures Game MVP

2. Arendell Says:
   December 12th, 2009 at 1:03 pm

   these are ome of the best Red Sox rookies. I do hope Navarro can come back around with his hitting as he will be fun to watch play in Boston. Yes, Iglesias will be better. But one of them may turn out and become a 2nd basemen. Then again, that also could be were O.Tejada winds up. Fun to see this many talented players on the Sox roater. Come on Lav & Pim you 2 can make it a bakers dozen.

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