Take A Look At The New Paw Sox Outfielder Jordan Wren

On July 3rd, the Boston Red Sox signed free agent outfielder Jordan Wren to a minor league contract. He was then assigned to AAA Pawtucket the following day when he made his debut against the Rochester Red Wings that night. This was after he war released by Colorado Springs, the AAA affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers on June 26th. To make room for him on the roster, the team released Ramon Flores.

In his time with Colorado Springs this season, he played well in 47 games. In those 47 games, he hit .294 with 2 home runs and 28 RBI’s. In his minor league career, he has hit .295 with 12 home runs, and 235 RBI’s. This is in 624 games. He has yet to make his major league debut.

What Kind Of Player Is Wren?

Prior to Friday nights home game for the Pawtucket Red Sox against the Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Paw Sox manager Kevin Boles talked about Wren and what kind of player he is and what he has seen from him. He also pointed out that he has only seen him play in one game.

“Quality defender, can play all three (outfield positions). He’s a guy that can steal a base. Throughout his career, if you look at it, he’s a .290-.300 hitter. We faced a left handed pitcher the other day. He got a couple walks I believe in that game. He played a good center field the other day, I will say that. He moved around pretty good.” -Kevin Boles

That seems exactly like the type of player he is. A good defender who can steal you a base when you need it. What is shocking about Wren is that he hasn’t made his major league debut yet. He has hit for a really good average at the AAA level. Usually that and being a good defender, will give you a chance to play at the major league level as a fourth outfielder at one point or another.

It will be interesting to see if Wren plays well enough to get the call up to Boston in September as an extra guy off the bench who could steal a base or come in as a defensive replacement later in the game. This is definitely an upgrade in the Paw Sox outfield over Ramon Flores. With the Red Sox having a weak minor league system, this addition could actually help them at the major league level. An upgrade over Flores, who actually has major league experience.

Pawtucket Red Sox Offense Shut Down In Loss To Red Wings

The Pawtucket Red Sox dropped the second game of their four game home and home series with the Rochester Red Wings on Tuesday night by a score of 2 to 1.

The only run of the night came on a ninth inning home run by Red Sox prospect Tzu-Wei Lin. However it wasn’t like the Paw Sox didn’t have chances to score in this one. The Paw Sox left 11 runners stranded on base in this game and hit 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position. That formula will keep any team from winning ball games.

Chandler Shepher Labored

Chandler Shepherd started tonight’s game for Paw Sox and he labored through 4 and 1/3 innings of work tonight. In those 4 and 1/3 innings, he gave up two runs on nine hits while striking out five batters on 93 pitches (61 strikes). It could have gotten away from Shepherd all throughout his start but he was able to get outs when he needed to.

In the fifth inning, Shepherd was able to get the first out, but he then allowed three straight singles before being pulled from the game by Paw Sox manager Kevin Boles He then brought in reliever Kyle Martin to get out of the jam. He then struck out Chris Carter and Edgar Corcino to get out of the bases loaded jam.

Shepherd has struggled in his last three starts for the Paw Sox. In 11 and 2/3 innings, he has allowed 12 runs (8 earned runs).

Next For The Paw Sox

The Paw Sox will now go to Rochester to play the final two games of their home and home series with the Red Wings. The Paw Sox will send out Jalen Beeks as the starting pitcher on the fourth of July. He will be up against LHP Stephen Gonsalves who has a record of 5 and 3 on the season with a 4.30 ERA. On Thursday, the Red Wings will send out LHP Adalberto Mejia. The Paw Sox have yet to announce a starter for Thursday, however Justin Haley could be an option since he was sent back down to AAA Pawtucket after Sunday’s game.

Paw Sox Beat Chiefs as Jalen Beeks And Oscar Hernandez Lead The Way

The Pawtucket Red Sox beat the Syracuse Chiefs by a score of eight to one on Sunday afternoon. This was thanks to a great outing from Jalen Beeks once again. Then offensively, Oscar Hernandez was a surprise as he went 2 for 3 at the plate with his first Paw Sox home run.

Beeks was able to show great mix with his pitches as well. That was able to keep Chiefs hitters off balance all day as he only gave up three base hits on the afternoon.

Jalen Beeks Showed Better Mix With His Pitches

Red Sox pitching prospect Jalen Beeks was making his 13th start of the season at AAA of Sunday afternoon against the Syracuse Chiefs. Beeks struggled his last time out however on June 19th against the Buffalo Bisons. In that game, he went only 4 and 2/3 innings while giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits on 97 pitches (55 strikes). That was his second start for the Paw Sox since he was sent back to down to AAA after his major league debut for the Boston Red Sox back on June 7th.

On Sunday, Beeks got back to his normal self as he pitched extremely well against the Chiefs in seven innings of work. In those seven innings, he only gave up three base hits and he struck out seven batters on 99 pitches (62 strikes).

“I thought he used his curveball, cutter, change, fastball, had good command. I thought he was outstanding today. That’s more of a mix. That was exactly what we’re looking for” said PawSox manager Kevin Boles after the game. “(Beeks) executed pitches and he was able to throw his curveball for land strikes. He was able to finish with it. Nice job overall.

Oscar Hernandez Caught Well Today

Oscar Hernadez has never been known for his bat. However today, he showed that he has some pop in the bat. In the bottom of the third inning he connected for his first Paw Sox home run that was blasted right down the left field line. Later in the game, he hit another rocket to left field that one hopped the wall for an RBI double.

On top of that, Hernandez had caught two base runners with his arm. All season, Hernandez has shown that he has a cannon of an arm and get throw out base runners from behind the plate.

“He caught well. He swung the bat well also” said Paw Sox manager Kevin Boles after the game. “I thought he was very athletic behind the plate. Had a couple of caught stealing.

Next For The Paw Sox

The Paw Sox are now heading to Buffalo for a four game series beginning on Monday night. The Paw Sox will send the left handed Josh Smith to the mound to start the game. After that, they will send Justin Haley out on Tuesday, William Cuevas on Wednesday, and Chandler Shepherd to the mound on Thursday to close out the series.