Outfielder Bryce Brentz, a supplemental first-round pick in the 2010 draft who represents one of the team's top power hitting prospects, headlines a group of five Red Sox minor leaguers who will play for the Surprise Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League.
Brentz, a 23-year-old who has spent the entire season in Double-A Portland, is hitting .296 with a .355 OBP, .478 slugging mark, .833 OPS and 17 homers in 122 games this year. He has middle-of-the-order power potential, and showed strides in his pitch selection while challenged with more advanced breaking stuff in the upper levels of the minors this year.
Also joining Brentz:
- Right-hander Brock Huntzinger: Converted to the bullpen early this year, the 24-year-old Huntzinger seemed to take well to the role change, going 4-1 with a 2.44 ERA, 43 strikeouts and 18 walks in 55 1/3 relief innings. Opponents hit just .181 against the right-hander.
- Right-hander Chris Martin: A 26-year-old whom the Sox signed out of the independent American Association prior to the start of the 2011 season, the 6-foot-7 right-hander spent much of the year in the rotation, but seemed to thrive after a late-year move to the bullpen. In nine relief appearances spanning 19 2/3 innings, he had a 2.29 ERA with 18 strikeouts and four walks.
- Right-hander Pete Ruiz: The 25-year-old pitched out of the bullpen in High-A Salem, compiling a 5-2 record and 2.89 ERA along with 48 strikeouts and 16 walks in 46 2/3 innings. He also does a spectacular Tim Kurkjian imitation.
- Right-hander Ryan Pressly: The 23-year-old Pressly, a 2007 11th rounder who has developed mid-90s velocity since signing with the Red Sox, performed well after a mid-year promotion to Double-A Portland. He had a 3.28 ERA, 20 strikeouts and 10 walks in 24 2/3 innings with Portland.
The Red Sox also expect to add a couple of additional players to the Saguaros roster.
For complete Red Sox coverage, visit weei.com/redsox .