Minor League Baseball expert Kevin Goldstein recently unveiled his top 10 Red Sox prospect list. There’s no surprises as Clay Buchholz tops the list and he ranked as the only excellent prospect in the Red Sox system. Buckholz had solid stops at both High A and Low A and Goldstein speculates that the right hander could start the season at Double A. He’s a junior college player so while he might get fast tracked, he might not move as quickly as other top flight college players and it wouldn’t surprise me if Double A provides some solid comp. that keeps Buckholz there for seasoning most of the year.
Goldstein lists two players as “very good” prospects. Centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and right handed pitcher Michael Bowden come in at two and three. Ellsbury had a nice showing at Double A but with Coco Crisp out there, Ellsbury will either get a repeat at Double A or some time at Pawtuckett. Bowden is a youngster and at age 20, will probably start the season at High A.
Rounding out the top five are centerfielder Jason Place and right handed pitcher Dan Bard. Both players are still a ways away and Bard hasn’t even played minor league ball yet. He signed too late after being the Red Sox number pick in 2006.
