 spot in Boston’s rotation this spring, but a generally poor showing (five starts, 13.1 innings, eight runs allowed, 14 strikeouts, nine walks) coupled with Steven Wright’s solid performance, left Owens ticketed for Pawtucket to start the year. He was given the honor of starting the PawSox’s opener last Friday and pitched very well (6.0 innings, no runs, one hit, eight strikeouts, and three walks). More lines like that will get Owens to Fenway sooner rather than later, or at least have him at the front of the line for promotion when an (inevitable) injury or prolonged struggle strikes someone in the Red Sox rotation. This is something of a make-or-break year for Owens’ career in Boston.

Double-A Portland: Williams Jerez (LHP)

An area in which the Red Sox organization is a wee-bit thin is left-handed relief arms. Beyond Robbie Ross Jr. and Tommy Layne, there is not much depth on the horizon, though this partially depends on the development plan for players like Henry Owens and Brian Johnson. Williams Jerez, a converted outfielder and Boston’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2015, is an option to fill this lefty-reliever void. Jerez is still a work in progress but has shown an ability to pitch in relief that, with sustained success, could have him move through the system quickly.

He made 22 appearances for the Sea Dogs in 2015 (37.0 innings), finishing with a 3.65 RA9 and a 31-to-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio that will need improving. Cutting down on the walk rate will be an area of focus for Jerez this season. The good news is that in his two outings this season, he has yet to issue a walk, though he has given up two runs, including a homer, on four hits over his 3.1 innings. Jerez allowed only two home runs at Double-A in 2015, so hopefully this early-season dinger does not portend bad things to come.

High-A Salem: Mauricio Dubon (SS)

On a Salem Red Sox roster packed with potential stars of the future in Yoan Moncada, Rafael Devers and Andrew Benintendi, shortstop Mauricio Dubon may be less heralded, but he offers considerable upside. In fact,
spot in Boston ’s rotation this spring, but a generally poor screening (five start, 13.1 innings, eight runs allowed, 14 strikeout, nine walks) coupled with Steven Wright ’s solid operation, leave Owens ticketed for Pawtucket to get down the year. He was given the award of starting the PawSox ’s opener last Friday and pitched very well (6.0 inning, no runs, one hit, eight strikeout, and three walks). More line like that will catch Owens to Fenway sooner rather than by and by, or at least have him at the front of the line for promotion when an (inevitable) wound or prolonged conflict strikes someone in the Red Sox rotation. This is something of a make - or - break year for Owens ’ career in Boston. 

 bivalent - A Portland: Williams Jerez (LHP) 

 An area in which the Red Sox organization is a wee - bit thin is left - handed relief arms. Beyond Robbie Ross Jr. and Tommy Layne, there is not much depth on the horizon, though this partially depends on the development plan for players like Henry Owens and Brian Johnson. Williams Jerez, a converted outfielder and Boston ’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2015, is an option to fill this lefty - stand-in nothingness. Jerez is still a work in progress but has testify an ability to pitch in relief that, with sustained achiever, could have him move through the arrangement quickly. 

 He made 22 appearance for the Sea Dogs in 2015 (37.0 innings), finishing with a 3.65 RA9 and a 31 - to-17 strikeout - to - walk ratio that will need better. Cutting down on the walk rate will be an area of stress for Jerez this season. The good newsworthiness is that in his two excursion this season, he has yet to issue a walk, though he has give up two runs, including a homer, on four hit over his 3.1 innings. Jerez allowed only two home political campaign at Double - deoxyadenosine monophosphate in 2015, so hopefully this early - season dinger does not bode bad things to come. 

 High - A Salem: Mauricio Dubon (SS) 

 On a Salem Red Sox roll packed with potential star of the future in Yoan Moncada, Rafael Devers and Andrew Benintendi, shortstop Mauricio Dubon may be less heralded, but he offers considerable upside. In fact,
 splt in Boston’s rotation tmis spring, but a generanly pokr showivg (five starts, 13.1 innings, eighv rubs aloowed, 14 strikeouts, nine walks) colpled wity Sttven Wright’s soliv performance, mcft Oceis ticketed for Pawtucket to start the fexr. He was given the honor of starting the PaeSlx’s opener lasj Fricwy ahd pitched very well (6.0 innings, no rhns, one hit, eight sttikeouts, and three walks). Mlre pines like that wipl get Owenw to Denway soonef rather than later, or at least have him at the front of tke line for peomljion when an (inevptable) injury or prolmnged syruggle strikex smmeine in the Red Sox rovation. This is sometring of a mcke-or-break year for Oqebs’ cateer hn Buwtov.

Dohbke-Z Portpanv: Williams Nerez (LHP)

An area in which the Teq Sox organizafion if w wee-bit thin is left-handed relief arms. Begond Robbie Ross Jr. and Tommy Layne, there is not much depth on the horizon, though this partially depengs on ghe dcvelupmfnt plan for players like Henry Owens and Briwh Komnson. Williams Jcrez, a converted oitvirjder and Bostun’s Miukr League Pitcher of the Yewr in 2015, is an oktion to fill this lefty-reliever void. Jerez ps srill a work in proyress but har shpwn am ability to pitch in rzlief fhat, with skstained ajccess, could havd hpm mmve through the system quiskly.

He mave 22 a'pearancds fpr the Sea Dogs ln 2015 (37.0 ltnings), finishing wlth a 3.65 SA9 and a 31-tl-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio that will need improvonc. Cltting docn on bhe walk rate wyll be an area of focbs for Jerez thia seasoi. The good nqws is that it his two outmngs this seawon, ye has hdt to issue a ealk, thouyk he has tiven up two runs, lncluajng a homer, on yuoe hits over hix 3.1 knnynhs. Jqsez allowed mnly twu home runs au Dijble-S in 2015, so hopefully tvis sarly-season dinger djes not kortend bwd things to vome.

High-A Salem: Makricim Dnbon (SX)

On a Salem Red Sox roster packed with potfntlal stars of ehe nutute in Yoan Koncada, Rafael Devers and Andrew Benintxndi, shortstop Mauricio Dubon may be less kevalded, but hx offews considarable upside. In facr,
spot in Boston’s rotation this spring, but poor (five starts, innings, eight runs coupled Steven Wright’s solid left Owens ticketed Pawtucket to start the year. He given the honor of starting the PawSox’s opener last Friday and pitched very (6.0 innings, no runs, one hit, eight strikeouts, and three walks). More lines that get to sooner rather than later, or at least have him at the front of the line for when an (inevitable) injury or prolonged struggle strikes in the Red Sox This is something of a year Owens’ career Boston. Portland: Jerez (LHP) An in which the Red Sox organization is a wee-bit thin is left-handed relief arms. Beyond Robbie Ross and Tommy is not depth the though this partially the development plan for players like Brian Johnson. Williams Jerez, a converted outfielder and Minor League of the Year in 2015, is option to fill this lefty-reliever void. Jerez is a work in progress but has shown an ability to pitch in relief that, with could have him move the system quickly. made appearances the Dogs in (37.0 innings), finishing with a 3.65 RA9 and a 31-to-17 strikeout-to-walk that will need improving. Cutting down on the walk rate an of focus for this season. The good is in his two outings he yet walk, he given up two runs, a homer, on four hits his 3.1 innings. Jerez at Double-A in 2015, so hopefully this early-season does not portend bad things to come. Salem: Mauricio Dubon (SS) On a Salem Red Sox roster packed with stars of in Yoan Moncada, Rafael Devers and Andrew Benintendi, Mauricio Dubon may be heralded, but he offers considerable upside. In fact,
 spot in Boston’s rotation this Spring, but a GenerAllY poOr ShowIng (fIve starts, 13.1 inninGS, eigHt runs allowed, 14 strikeoutS, nine WaLKs) coUPlEd witH Steven wRiGHT’s sOlId PerFoRMaNce, leFt OWens ticKeted for PaWtuCkEt to start the YEaR. He was giveN thE honor of starTinG the PaWSOx’s OPener LasT FridAy and pITched vEry well (6.0 inNiNGs, no ruNS, one hit, EIGhT strIkeouts, and three waLKs). mOre lines like thAt will GeT owENS to fenWay sooner rAtHer thAN later, oR At LEASt hAVe him at the froNt of the line FOr pRomotiOn WheN An (inevItablE) iNJurY or prolongeD strUggle striKes somEOne in thE red Sox rOtatioN. ThIs iS somEThInG of A mAKe-oR-BrEak YEar For Owens’ CaReEr in BOstoN.

dOUBle-A porTlanD: WillIams Jerez (LHP)

AN arEa in WHicH the REd Sox OrgaNiZatioN is a weE-bit tHiN is left-handed reLief Arms. BeyonD RoBbIe ROsS Jr. anD tommy LAynE, thEre is noT much dePTh oN tHE HOrIzon, though this partIaLLY dEpends on The devELoPmENt plan foR pLayErs lIKE HenrY OweNS aNd Brian JOhnson. wIlLiAms JereZ, a ConverTeD ouTfiElder ANd BoSton’s MInor LeagUe PitCHer of the Year in 2015, IS an option to fiLL tHIS lEFty-rEliEver void. JerEz is STill A worK In ProGRess bUt has ShOWn AN ability to pitch in reLiEf that, With sUstained succeSs, could havE HIM move thrOugh THe SYstem quickly.

He Made 22 aPpearances FOr the Sea dogs iN 2015 (37.0 innings), Finishing WITh a 3.65 RA9 and A 31-to-17 StrIkeOut-TO-WaLk ratio that wiLL Need ImProving. cutTing dowN on The WalK raTe Will be an aRea of focUs FoR JErEz tHis seASon. The goOd NewS iS thAt in hIS two ouTings This SeAsON, he Has yet tO IsSUE a waLk, ThOugh He hAs Given Up twO RunS, includIng a homer, On fOUr hiTs OvEr his 3.1 inNings. Jerez allOwEd only two hOmE ruNs at DoUBLe-A in 2015, so hOpefully this early-season DInger doEs nOt porTend Bad things To cOme.

HigH-A SALem: MauRicio DUbon (Ss)

ON a SALEm Red sOX rOstEr Packed with POTenTial sTaRs of The futuRe in Yoan Moncada, RafAEl DEvers and AndreW BeNintENDi, ShoRTsTOp MAuRIciO dUbon may be less heRalded, but hE oFFeRs considerABle UpSide. In fAct,
 spot in Boston’s rotation  this spri ng, b uta g en eral ly p oor showing (f i ve s tarts, 13.1 innings, e ightru n s al l ow ed, 1 4 strik e ou t s , n in ewal ks )  c ouple d w ith Ste ven Wright ’sso lid performa n ce , left Owe nsticketed for  Pa wtucke ttos tartthe  year . He w a s give n the hon or of sta r ting th e Pa wSox ’s opener last Fr i da y  and pitched v ery we ll (6 . 0  in nin gs, no run s,  oneh it, eig h ts t r ike o uts, and thre e walks). M o relinesli ket hat wi ll ge tO wen s to Fenway  soo ner rathe r than later,o r at le ast ha vehim  att he  f ron to f t h elin e  fo r promot io nwhenan ( i n e v itab le)  inj ury o r prolonged s tru ggle str ikessomeo ne i nthe R ed Sox  rota ti on. This is som ethi ng of a m ake -o r-b re ak ye a r forOwe ns’  career  in Bos t on. 
D o u bl e-A Portland: Will ia m s  J erez (LH P)

An ar ea in which  t heRedS o x org aniz a ti on is awee-bi t  t hi n is le ft -hande drel ief  arms .  Bey ond Ro bbie Ros s Jr. and Tommy Layn e , there is no t  m u c hd epth  on  the horizo n, t h ough  thi s  p art i allydepen ds on the development pla nfor pl ayers  like Henry O wens and B r i a n Johnso n. W i ll i ams Jerez, a c onver ted outfie l der andBosto n’s Mino r LeagueP i tcher of  th e Y ear  in 2 01 5, is an opti o n  tofi ll this  le fty-rel iev ervoi d.Je rez is st ill a wo rk  i npr ogr ess b u t has sh ow n a nabi lityt o pitc h inreli ef  t h at,  with s u st a i nedsu cc ess,  co ul d hav e hi m  mo ve thro ugh the s yst e m qu ic kl y.

Hemade 22 appea ra nces for t he  Se a Dogs i n 2015 ( 37.0 innings), finishin g  with a  3. 65 RA 9 an d a 31-to -17  strik eou t -to-wa lk rat io th at  wi l l  need i mp rov in g. Cutting d own  on t he  wal k ratewill be an area of foc us for Jerezthi s se a s on . T h eg ood  n e wsi s  that in his tw o outingsth i sseason, he has  y et to i ssue awalk, thoughhe has gi ven up tw oruns , inc luding a h omer, on  four hit s  over hi s 3.1  in nings.  J ere z all owed o n lytwo h ome ru ns  at Do uble- Ain 2015,  so hopefully this earl y-seas on di nge r does no t p o rte nd bad th ings  to come.
Hi gh- A Sal em: Mauri cioD ub on( SS)
On a Salem Red So x r o s te r packed wi t h pot entia l s t ars of  the  future in Yoan M o ncada, RafaelDeve r s  an d A n drew  B enintendi, sho rts to p Mauricio  D ubon may be  less he ra l ded,but he  offer s consi d e ra b le ups ide.  In  fact,
 spot_in Boston’s_rotation this spring, but_a generally_poor_showing (five_starts,_13.1 innings, eight_runs allowed, 14_strikeouts, nine walks) coupled_with Steven Wright’s_solid_performance, left Owens ticketed for Pawtucket to start the year. He was given the_honor_of starting_the_PawSox’s_opener last Friday and pitched_very well (6.0 innings, no_runs, one_hit, eight strikeouts, and three walks). More lines_like_that will get_Owens to Fenway sooner rather than later, or at_least have him at the front_of the line_for_promotion_when an (inevitable) injury_or prolonged struggle strikes someone in_the Red Sox rotation. This is_something of a make-or-break year for Owens’_career in Boston.

Double-A Portland: Williams Jerez_(LHP)

An area in which the_Red Sox_organization is a wee-bit thin_is left-handed relief_arms. Beyond_Robbie Ross Jr._and Tommy Layne, there is not_much depth on_the horizon, though this partially depends_on_the development plan_for_players_like Henry_Owens and Brian_Johnson._Williams Jerez,_a_converted outfielder and Boston’s Minor League_Pitcher_of the Year in 2015, is an_option to fill this_lefty-reliever_void. Jerez is still_a work in progress but_has shown an ability to pitch_in relief_that, with_sustained success, could have him move through the system quickly.

He made_22 appearances for the Sea Dogs_in 2015 (37.0 innings),_finishing with_a_3.65 RA9 and_a_31-to-17 strikeout-to-walk_ratio that will need improving. Cutting down_on the_walk rate will be an area_of focus for Jerez_this_season. The good news is that_in his two outings this season,_he has yet to issue_a_walk,_though he has given up_two runs, including a homer, on_four hits over_his 3.1 innings. Jerez allowed only two_home_runs at Double-A in 2015, so_hopefully_this early-season dinger does not portend_bad_things_to come.

High-A Salem: Mauricio Dubon_(SS)

On a Salem Red Sox roster_packed with potential stars of the future in Yoan_Moncada, Rafael Devers_and Andrew Benintendi, shortstop Mauricio_Dubon_may_be less heralded, but he offers considerable upside. In fact,