What the Red Sox director of player development said about the state of the farm system
WORCESTER — Before the WooSox’ 7-1 loss to the Syracuse Mets on Wednesday night, the T&G caught up with Boston Red Sox director of player development Brian Abraham over the phone about the current state of the Sox farm system.
Abraham, a St. John’s High and Holy Cross alum, discussed two players who were recently called up to Boston in Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu, and two players currently with Worcester in Shane Drohan and Bryan Mata (injured list).
Here’s what Abraham had to say about four of the top prospects in the Sox system who found themselves at Polar Park at one point or another this season:
Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox infielder/outfielder
Stats: .312 BA, 12 HR, 42 RBI in 48 games with Worcester and .345 BA, 1 HR, 2 RBI in 13 games with Boston.
Quotes: “To see him go up and not only make his debut but have some success (and) impact on the team in a positive way in various ways on the field and at the plate is incredibly exciting. ... Just a really good kid, a hard worker. Has taken everything in stride and it’s been really great to see him grow up.”
As for what position Rafaela could play in the future, outfield, infield or both?
“It’s certainly a unique skill set,” Abraham said. “I think in the past I compared him to Kiké (Hernández). His athleticism, his aptitude on the field and again his versatility he’s shown throughout the year is exciting.”
Wilyer Abreu, Red Sox outfielder
Stats: .274 BA, 22 HR, 65 RBI in 82 games with Worcester and .326 BA, 1 HR, 8 RBI in 15 games with Boston.
Quote: “Wilyer really hasn’t missed a beat. ... Just a mature kid that works his butt off and really understands what he’s doing at the plate. Strong arm, can go after ball, puts bat on the ball, uses entire field, he just does a lot of things really well and also his advanced approach at a young age really impresses me.”
Shane Drohan, WooSox left-handed pitcher
Stats: 10-7 record, 4.86 ERA across 26 games and 122.1 innings pitched.
Quote: “I think a part of the reason why he is in Worcester is to be challenged … pushing him to get to Triple-A. I think he’s working on shape of his pitches at certain times and just attacking the zone. I think there have been a lot of positives, I wouldn’t say there are negatives but I think room for improvement and opportunity to grow into next year.”
Bryan Mata, WooSox right-handed pitcher
Stats: 0-3 record, 5.61 ERA across seven games and 25.2 innings pitched.
Quotes: “He started off healthy and had some struggles and battled through that. ... It’s been a hard year for him, but I also think it’s been a year for him to come down to Fort Myers, get stronger and build a better foundation for the future and ultimately get back on track in Worcester.”
Mata, who hasn’t pitched in Worcester since being put on the injured list on May 10 with right shoulder inflammation, is supposed to be activated before the end of the WooSox’ current homestand.
“I think at the end of the day he’ll say he came out better for it,” Abraham said. “We’re trying to make the most out of it and end the season on a high note and go into the offseason healthy.”
— Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Red Sox director of player development Brian Abraham talks farm system
