Sea Dogs Players honored by the Red Sox

Red Sox Minor League Players of the Month

The Red Sox named their minor league players of the month for April, and the award list was dominated by Sea Dogs players:

Chris Durbin - Offensive Player of the Month, as well as co-winner of the Quality Plate Appearances Award.
Jeremy West - Co-winner of the Quality Plate Appearnances Award.

Cla Meredith - Pitcher of the Month

Dustin Pedroia - Baserunner of the Month

Former Sea Dog Kelly Shoppach, who seems to have reignighted his prospect star in Pawtucket this year, was named Defensive Player of the Month.

The only award winner who has never played in Portland was Pawtucket second sacker Alejandro Machado, who was named Base Stealer of the Month.

Durbin celebrated by being placed on the DL with a strained hamstring. His roster spot will be taken by Kenny Perez. This can't be a good sign for Perez, who last season appeared to be an OK prospect. I don't think that he's going to start in front of Hanley or Pedroia in Portland, and he's lost his job in Pawtucket to 31 year old career minor leaguer Luis Figueroa. Perez has struggled, however, and he probably needs more at bats at AA.

I'm only speculating here, but my guess is that when Durbin comes back, Perez stays behind and plays third base, and Jared the Wicket moves up to Pawtucket, where catcher Shawn Wooten is manning the hot corner (and batting .215) for the PawSox. Despite Sandberg's recent struggles with the bat, this seems to be the best configuration for these teams. Perez shouldn't be sitting behind a couple of guys in their 30's in AAA, while Sandberg has major league pedigree and seems to be a better fit for Pawtucket. Furthermore, Sandberg is five and a half years younger than Wooten (Sandberg is 27), so he still has a lot more upside than Wooten does. If your goal is to develop younger players, and at the same time have guys ready to fill in at the major league level if someone gets hurt, I think this makes the most sense.