A few thoughts while waiting for the Sea Dogs to get back in town …
JOSE IGLESIAS is already providing must-see moments at Hadlock Field. With his range, fast reactions and arm, Iglesias is showing why the Red Sox invested $8.25 million in the shortstop.
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“Live body, quick hands and he’s pretty accurate with all those flips and throws,” Sea Dogs Manager Arnie Beyeler said. “He’s probably been doing that stuff since he can walk.”
Add another ingredient: desire.
Iglesias does not take any grounder for granted. Every ground ball is attacked, every throw fired with accuracy.
On the bases, he goes full speed, whether he hits a weak ground ball or a shot into the gap.
THE SHORTSTOP position in Boston has been a well-documented revolving door since Nomar Garciaparra was traded in 2004, with six different starters, including the latest, Marco Scutaro.
Factor in Iglesias’ $6 million signing bonus, and the Red Sox are paying over $20 million this year for the position — Iglesias, Scutaro ($5.5 million) and Julio Lugo ($9 million).
Lugo, whose four-year, $36 million contract ends this year, is still on the Red Sox books because Boston released him last season. He is at Fenway Park this weekend, playing for the Orioles.
IGLESIAS IS NOT the only promising young shortstop in the Red Sox system.
Oscar Tejeda, 20, signed as a 16-year-old out of the Dominican Republic ($500,000 bonus) and is off to a hot start for advanced Class A Salem, batting .385. Tejeda is also playing second base.
Will Middlebrooks, 21, was a fifth-round draft choice in 2007 ($900,000 bonus) and has been moved to third base. He’s batting .340 in Salem.
A couple of exciting players are in Fort Myers waiting for the short-season Class A and rookie leagues to begin. David Renfroe, 19, was a third-round pick last year ($1.4 million) and may move to third base.
Jose Vinicio, 16, signed for $2 million out of the Dominican Republic. He probably has not received much attention because of Iglesias’ signing.
According to the website soxprospects.com, Vinicio could begin his pro career in the Gulf Coast League, which is rare for a player so young.
THE MINOR LEAGUE Rule 5 draft can be confusing to both fans and players.
Jason Rice, 23, is one of the few Sea Dogs pitchers who was not drafted or originally signed by the Red Sox. He came to the organization from the White Sox in the minor league Rule 5 draft in December 2008.
The move surprised Rice back then.
“I didn’t even know what the Rule 5 draft was,” Rice said.
The major league Rule 5 draft is better known. After four or five years, depending on the player’s age, a player can be drafted by another team if he’s not on the 40-man roster, but he must be kept on his new team’s major league roster all year.
The minor league Rule 5 draft works in a similar way. If a player, after four or five years, is not on either the Double-A or Triple-A extended rosters, then another team can take him.
Boston grabbed Rice and sent him to Salem last year, where he made 41 appearances and had a 2.44 ERA. Now, he’s in Portland and occasionally closing.
“It’s worked out,” Rice said. “I went from one good organization to another.”
FORMER SEA DOGS reliever Beau Vaughan experienced the minor league Rule 5 draft last December. Vaughan, 28, was with the Rangers organization last year after being traded by Boston in a deal for Wes Littleton.
But Vaughan stayed with the Rangers for only one year because Oakland took him in the minor league Rule 5 draft. He is back in Double A with the Midland Rockhounds of the Texas League.
IN OTHER ALUMNI news, reliever Chad Rhoades (’08-09) and outfielder Jeff Corsaletti (’07-08) have signed with the Fargo-Moorehead Redhawks of the independent Northern League.
Catcher John Otness (’07-09), who was released by the Rangers on April 1, has signed on with the Dodgers organization.
THE AVERAGE COST of attending a minor league game is $57.70 for a family of four, according to research done by Minor League Baseball.
That includes two adult tickets, two children’s tickets, four hot dogs, two sodas, two beers, a program and parking.
The average at Hadlock Field is $51.00.
FIREWORKS WILL welcome the Sea Dogs back home Friday. The first fireworks show of the year will take place after the 6 p.m. game against New Britain.
Saturday’s promotion is a “Bark in the Park.” Fans are welcome to bring their dogs to the 1 p.m. game. But you have to buy a ticket for the pooch, with proceeds going to the Planet Dog Foundation. See www.seadogs.com for more information.
Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-6411 or at:
kthomas@pressherald.com
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