Projo Sox Blog

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

PORTLAND, Maine -- With colleague Kevin McNamara on the road with the Red Sox, we thought it would be a great opportunity to head North and catch up with Boston's Double-A affiliate.

The Sea Dogs are loaded with talented prospect, most of whom Red Sox fans are already well aware of: First baseman Lars Anderson, catcher Mark Wagner, shortstop Argenis Diaz, outfielder Josh Reddick and pitchers Felix Doubront and Junichi Tazawa.

We'll be at Hadlock Field for the next two games and we plan to bring you some more insight into the continued success of the organization's player development system.

Here are a few quick hits from Hadlock.

-- Entering Tuesday's game against the Binghamton Mets, Portland is 7-9 in the Eastern League.

-- The Sea Dogs scored 15 runs and banged out a franchise-record 23 hits in their last game on Sunday, but lost. You read that correctly -- they LOST. The Connecticut Defenders (San Francisco Giants) collected 20 hits en route to a 20-15 victory.

-- Wagner was placed on the disabled list because of a hamstring strain. In 13 games, he's hitting .267 with two homers and six RBI. He also has a .441 OBP. He has thrown out 8 of 11 potential base stealers in 2009.

-- With Wagner on the shelf, catcher John Otness joins the Sea Dogs from extended spring training. Otness, 27, has spent the last two years with the Sea Dogs. He hit .263 with two homers and 33 RBI in 69 games in 2008.

-- Sea Dogs third baseman Jorge Jimenez is leading the EL in hitting with a .397 average, along with one homer and 15 RBI. His OBP is .435.

-- Right-hander Richie Lentz, who has been on the DL since April 14, has been activated. In his only appearance this season, he worked two innings of no-hit ball and recorded five strikeouts.

-- Right-hander Blake Maxwell has been transferred to Single-A Lowell.

Throughout the 2009, we'll have news and features on the Red Sox' player development system: Pawtucket, Portland, Salem, Greenville and Lowell.

 Tags  Mark Wagner Red Sox Sea Dogs

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