Bogaerts and Bradley Break Out for Boston: March 2 Grapefruit League Report

Feb 27, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Jaff Decker (14) doubles during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

We’re going to round up the results for prospects in yesterday’s Grapefruit League action once again.

Jaff Decker, traded this offseason to the Pittsburgh Pirates went one for three with an RBI while Gregory Polanco, getting the start in center field also went one for three with a double. 23-year-old Stolmy Pimentel got the start and picked up the win, going two shutout innings for the Bucs.

For the cross-state Phillies, catching prospect Tommy Joseph had one plate appearance and walked while outfield prospect Leandro Castro went oh for one, flying out. On the mound, Jesse Biddle had a somewhat rough appearance, giving up a pair of runs on three hits and a walk while striking out two in his first two innings of work this spring.

The Yankees visited the Blue Jays and had some young players play big roles in the 8-2 victory. Catcher J.R. Murphy had a big, three-run home run, going one for two. Although he’s a bit old, Yangervis Solarte hasn’t played a big league game yet and went two for two yesterday. 21-year-old left fielder Ramon Flores went one for three. Pitcher Vidal Nuno started and was fairly good, giving up just one run off of a big blast by Jose Bautista in his two innings of work. He struck out three and didn’t walk anyone. Bryan Mitchell followed him and also struck out three in two innings of work, giving up three hits.

The home Blue Jays weren’t able to muster up many runs despite 10 hits and Moises Sierra and Kevin Pillar went oh for one while Anthony Gose had an oh for three day and Kenny Wilson walked in his only plate appearance. The only real pitching prospect to pitch for the Blue Jays was reliever John Stilson who struck out the only batter he faced.

Visiting the St. Louis Cardinals, the New York Mets sent Cesar Puello out to play and he went oh for one, hitting into a double play in his only at bat. Travis d’Arnaud started the game behind the plate and went oh for two while Cory Vaughn went oh for one in his only at bat. On the mound, Steven Matz threw a scoreless inning, allowing just one hit and striking out two. Logan Verrett gave up a run on two hits in his inning of work while Jack Leathersich surrendered four runs on three hits and a walk in just a third of an inning. Joel Carreno, signed as a minor league free agent this offseason by the Mets, threw a scoreless inning and a third, giving up a hit and striking out two.

The NL champion Cardinals fielded a veteran lineup but Randal Grichuk came into the game and hit a double and walked in his two plate appearances. James Ramsey went oh for one while Stephen Piscotty went oh for two. Kolten Wong went oh for two while Luis Mateo had a base hit in his only at bat. On the pitching side, righty Keith Butler threw a clean inning and a third with two strikeouts and Tim Cooney threw two clean innings with four strikeouts. Zach Petrick needed just 12 pitches to throw two scoreless innings, giving up just a walk while striking out one.

Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Minnesota Twins center Byron Buxton (right) celebrates with San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges after scoring in the third inning against East during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Twins visited the Tampa Bay Rays and top prospect Byron Buxton got into some game action and grounded out twice. Shortstop Danny Santana got the start and went one for three. Max Kepler fared better than Buxton, going one for two, hitting a single while 20-year-old second baseman Jorge Polanco went one for two with an RBI. Another Twins top prospect, 6-foot-9 righty Alex Meyer gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits over two innings with one strikeout.

The home team Rays had the regulars in the lineup but Mikie Mahtook got two at bats, flying out twice. Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee, who spent most of 2013 injured, went one for two with a single and a flyout and Vince Belnome, a 25-year-old first baseman went one for two as well.

The Miami Marlins faced the Washington Nationals and only a few young position players got into the lineup. Austin Barnes flew out in his only at bat while Austin Nola had a single in his only at bat. Colby Suggs threw a shutout inning, giving up one hit with one strikeout and Nick Wittgren struck out one and gave up a hit in two-thirds of an inning.

The Nats had a lot more action from their young players with infielder Zach Walters going two for two with a single and a triple, Matt Skole went one for two with a double and two RBI. Steven Souza continues to hit well, going one for two with a double while Brian Goodwin was hitless in two at bats. For the pitchers, Sammy Solis threw two scoreless innings, giving up three hits.

The Tigers faced the Braves and gave Jordan Lennerton the start at first base and he went one for three on the day. Robbie Ray threw two innings, giving up two hits and a walk but no runs.

For the Braves, Matt Lipka started in center field and went one for three with a walk, playing the whole game. Robbie Hefflinger struck out in his only chance while Joey Terdoslavich went oh for four. Catcher Christian Bethancourt went one for three on the game. On the mound, Cody Martin gave up just a hit in his inning while Ryne Harper struck out two and gave up a hit in his inning of work.

Nov 2, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts speaks with NESN reporter Jenny Dell inside of Fenway Park prior to the World Series parade and celebration. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The Braves sent a split squad to face the Houston Astros in Kissimmee. Tommy La Stella went two for four with a double and an RBI while Edward Salcedo went one for four. On the mound, lefty Carlos Perez walked two and gave up two runs in his third of an inning.

For the home Astros, 21-year-old Ronald Torreyes went one for one with a triple, two RBI and a walk. Delino DeShields went oh for one but walked and scored playing center field.

Last but not least, the Baltimore Orioles visited the Boston Red Sox. Jonathan Schoop went one for two with a double and two RBI coming into the game at second base. Christian Walker, 22, came in to play first and went one for two with a two-RBI single. Michael Almanzar played third and went oh for three. On the mound, 20-year-old Eduardo Rodriguez had a rude awakening, surrendering four runs on four hits and a walk in two innings of work.

The Red Sox had their number one prospect, Xander Bogaerts starting the game at shortstop and he went two for three with a single and a double. Another of the club’s top prospects, Jackie Bradley, Jr. also went two for three, driving in one and scoring one. Travis Shaw came in at first base and went one for two with a two-RBI double. Garin Cecchini finished the game at third base and went oh for one. For the pitchers, 24-year-old righty Noe Ramirez had a clean inning with a strikeout and Miguel Pena got three outs on three pitches.