2009 Red Sox: Something to Get Excited About

The Boston Red Sox, thanks to Theo Epstein and his staff, have one of the best minor league systems among Major League ball clubs. As soon as he arrived in Boston, Epstein immediately worked on improving the farm system, drafting quality players that show the ability to rise through the minors quickly and help out of the big club sooner rather than later. In 2009, this team may look completely different, after contracts run out, overpaid veterans exit stage left, and the youngsters that Epstein brought into the organization surface on the pro roster. This is a major credit to Theo and the prime reason why the Red Sox ownership has to do whatever it takes to keep Epstein around for years to come. If the payroll can be cut, and the team can be better, then why not begin introducing the ready prospects to the Show now?

The Red Sox brought up utility pitcher Jonathan Papelbon in the middle of the 2005 season, and his combination of power pitching and steady confidence made him one of the best arms the Red Sox could rely when the postseason rolled around. Starters Jon Lester and Anibal Sanchez threw extremely well in their first season with the Portland Sea Dogs. Lester struck out 163 batters in only 148 innings pitched, while winning 11 games and posting a 2.61 ERA. Sanchez split time between single-A Wilmington and double-A Portland, punching out 158 hitters in just 25 overall appearances in 2005. Those three pitchers could easily find a way to replace the aging rotation of their Major League club and become the next Big Three in the near future. Papelbon, 24, throws hard fastballs paired with a dynamite slider and a tough changeup, and has the build of a big league pitcher at 6'4," 220 lbs. Lester, 21, consistently mixes his 2- and 4-seam fastballs, both hitting the low- to mid-90s, with a good changeup and great curveball. The sharp 11- to 5-break on Lester's curveball gives him two out pitches, according to Soxprospects.com. Anibal Sanchez, 21, has dynamite control of his 2- and 4-seam fastballs, both of which reach the mid-90s. He changes speeds and confuses hitters with a fantastic changeup and rapidly improving curveball. All three pitchers possess high levels of confidence and poise on the mound and, if they can stay healthy, will be the new wave of dominant pitchers that the Red Sox can rely on for years to come.

Regardless of how good your starting pitching is, your team always needs a strong bullpen to pick up the pieces of a bad start. It's a 162-game season with plenty more games in the postseason, and starters cannot be perfect every time they throw. The Red Sox brought up two great young relievers, Craig Hansen (drafted in 2005) and Manny Delcarmen (drafted in 2000, a shockingly smart pick by an otherwise dimwitted Dan Duquette), at the end of the season and they received valuable experience in September at the professional level. Craig Hansen,21, labeled the messiah of relief pitching by Red Sox Nation, hammers the strike zone with a fastball that pushes triple digits. He consistently throws in the mid-90s, and really rears back to strike hitters out. He mixes his Mach seven fastball with an amazing slider that hits the high-80s. His two pitches, matched with a strong closer's attitude and unbelievable command of the strike zone, will undoubtedly trouble Major League hitters in the future. Manny Delcarmen, 23, returned from Tommy John surgery throwing harder than he had before going under the knife. Delcarmen pounds the strike zone with a hot, high-90s fastball. He mixes up hitters with a devastating curve and a very strong changeup. He will fit well into the role of setup man for Hansen. These two will be the centerpieces of the Red Sox bullpen, closing out games similar to Rivera and Wetteland or Gordon and Rivera, meaning Sox starters needn't throw more than seven innings a start in a perfect world.

Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you: the Future! The middle infield tandem of Hanley Ramirez (SS) and Dustin Pedroia (2b) will create memories for generations to come. These two guys are so good, that people called for Pokey Reese to play short for one season to give Ramirez time to mature and then, in 2006, place Hanley at the center of the Red Sox quest for more championships. Dustin Pedroia may play second base in 2006, after a strong 2005 campaign, in which he won Red Sox Minor League Offensive Player of the Year. Ramirez is widely considered the number one prospect in the Red Sox organization, while Pedroia is considered the most Major League-ready position player. These two will be a dynamite pair of middle infielders when they reach Boston.

Kevin Youkilis is not a prospect anymore. Rumors swirl around his head, calling him the Red Sox third baseman or even first baseman of 2006. He is a moneyball player, meaning he gets on base a lot, and produces great at-bats every time he steps into the box. He will be sufficient on the defensive side of things and a staple in the Red Sox batting order for years to come. He is a player that the Red Sox cannot let go and must be placed in the lineup now to let his talent finally flourish.

I'd like to think that Jason Varitek will still in a Red Sox uniform and playing well in 2009, and it's certainly not out of the question, but if he is gone, then the Red Sox are in luck. Kelly Stoppach remains one of the top prospects in the Red Sox organization despite his inability to get reps in the pros. He can thank Jason's ascent to Red Sox legend status for his lack of chances to see time in the Show. Stoppach is another top of the line Moneyball guy, drawing walks and hitting for power. He plays impeccable defense and it only seems fair that he take over the reins when Varitek leaves.

The Red Sox outfield of the future features Brandon Moss, David Murphy, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Luis Soto. Soto is a little younger than the others, but has already been assessed as an up-and-coming superstar. Brandon Moss drove in 101 runs in single-A Augusta in 2004. Do you realize how hard it is to drive in runs in single-A? This kid will replace Trot Nixon when Trot can no longer play, and play rightfield with pride. Moss loves playing ball, hits extremely well, and possesses a very good throwing arm. David Murphy, compared to Johnny Damon, won the 2005 Red Sox Minor League Defensive Player of the Year. He will compete for the centerfield job with quickly rising star Jacoby Ellsbury, but no one will be complaining if they can split time between left and center. The Red Sox outfield will transform from a slow and battered trio to one of the fastest, strongest outfields in the Major Leagues. Defense is something that Red Sox fans haven't seen for years, and the near future may hold a change in that trend.

The Red Sox feature one star that will definitely still be here in 2009: David Ortiz. David is 29-years-old and just reaching his peak. The Red Sox absolutely must make it a priority to keep re-signing Ortiz until he stops his crusade against American League pitching, which hopefully won't be anytime soon. With Ortiz at the core of the Red Sox clubhouse and batting order, the other youngsters will fall in line. Ortiz, Arroyo, and Papelbon will be the veterans on this club by 2009. With a strong set of players around them, they will challenge for another World Series title with a smaller payroll.

Boston Red Sox fans have something to look forward to in the years to come. We have one of the best lists of prospects coming up and Theo Epstein is to thank for that. So please, ownership, re-sign Theo. Theo will bring us to the playoffs every year if we give him the tools and the personnel to do it. He can find great young talent and hire the coaching and assistants to help that talent grow into full blown stardom. The 2009 Red Sox will be tough to beat on the field and in the front office if we keep our young stars in town and our even younger ones on the right path to Boston.