Crockett impressed with pair of Pawtucket prospects
PAWTUCKET — Sitting in the dugout at McCoy Stadium one day earlier this week, Red Sox Vice President of Player Development Ben Crockett spoke about the storylines that have crept up over the past few weeks as they relate to the Pawtucket Red Sox.
On the recent influx of talent that’s joined the PawSox from Double-A, from 1B/3B Bobby Dalbec to 2B/SS C.J. Chatham:
Ben Crockett: “They were successful in Portland and have come up and continued that momentum here in Pawtucket. It’s something that we’re definitely excited to see and is a good steppingstone as far as seeing what (Triple-A) is about. Getting that taste of being so close to the big leagues and being around more veteran players and an environment where there’s more information available, I think it’s invaluable in terms of their development.”
On the feedback the Red Sox have received from Dalbec as the 24-year-old continues to see more time at first base:
BC: “It’s been really positive. He spent time there last year during the Arizona Fall League. It’s a position where there’s certainly room for growth but it’s been a good transition so far.”
On the job that first-year PawSox manager Billy McMillon has done:
BC: “Billy has done a great job. Triple-A is a challenging level for a lot of reasons … certainly the transactions and disappointment of players who go up and down. He along with the coaching staff have done a great job in getting the players ready to play every night and have really connected with the guys as far as building relationships and trust.”
On the Red Sox as an organization have given any thought to future September callup regulations, with the 2020 season marking the first time that MLB teams will not be able to summon everyone who’s listed on the 40-man roster:
BC: “I don’t think it’s something we’ve spent a ton of time thinking about. We’re trying to win now and be in the moment and deal with the rules are they are today. As those rules evolve and change from year to year, we’ll adapt and do the best we can.”
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Photo by Louriann Mardo-Zayat
EXTRA BASES: Thanks to Wednesday’s rainout, it’s going to be a busy few days at McCoy Stadium. The PawSox will play doubleheaders on consecutive days against – 4:35 p.m. start time against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, 5:05 p.m. start time against Lehigh Valley on Friday. Both days will feature two seven-inning games. … Thursday’s pitching probables for the PawSox will feature Teddy Stankiewicz (6-7, 3.94) in the opener with Erasmo Ramirez (5-8, 4.66) scheduled to take the mound in the nightcap. … The annual team poster and autograph night will now take place Saturday on the field at McCoy from 4-5 p.m. Game time on Saturday is 6:15 p.m. and will also feature the final postgame fireworks show of the season (set to Motown Music). … In Game 2 of Friday’s doubleheader vs. Lehigh Valley, the PawSox players will take the field as the Pawtucket Fightin’ Quahogs, wearing special uniforms and caps to celebrate one of Rhode Island’s favorite cuisines. … Also on Friday, former Boston Red Sox closer Keith Foulke will be the featured Red Sox legend and take part in the COX Legendary Friday Night program at McCoy. Foulke will be available for autographs at some point during the doubleheader. … Boston Globe sports writer Alex Speier will be at McCoy Stadium on Monday afternoon (1:05 p.m. first pitch) to sign copies of his new book “Homegrown: How the Red Sox Built a Champion from the Ground Up” on Wednesday night. Specifically, Speier will be in the Fan Center that’s located behind home plate. … The Arizona Fall League rosters were announced Wednesday. Making up the Boston delegation in conjunction with the Peoria Javelinas will be PawSox reliever Tanner Houck and Chatham.