Clearing the Bases Blog Index
April 22, 2009
Future at the corners

While the Red Sox juggle some roster spots, they keep developing talent below.

Take a look at the corner infield spots in lower Class A Greenville, S.C.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo is 19. Third baseman Michael Almanzar is 18.

Both enjoyed Tuesday night, with Almanzar (.234) going 2-for-5, and Rizzo (.313) 4-for-5 with two doubles and a home run.

But we're not talking about them because of one night.

Almanzar, 6-3, 180, is the much-publicized project of the Red Sox. A Boston free agent from the Dominican has not received this much attention since Hanley Ramirez. Boston gave Almanzar $1.5-million to sign him.

Now the Red Sox hope he grows into his potential. He was batting .348 in the Gulf Coast League last year when the Sox had him skip a step (in Lowell) and sent him to Greenville at the end of the season. He was over matched (.207).

Boston is challenging the kid early.

Rizzo is a 2007 sixth-round draft pick out of high school. He lost a year in his development when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma last season. He is now cancer free. He was impressive during spring training and he has continued that into the regular season.

Rizzo, 6-3, 220, has two home runs this year (as does Almanzar).

Rizzo should make it to Salem this year. Portland would be a stretch, but you never know. Boston can afford to be patient with him. he's young, and the Red Sox already have a first baseman they are grooming in Portland (Lars Anderson).

Meanwhile, here is a quick rundown of roster news in Boston:

Shortstop Jed Lowrie had successful wrist surgery on Tuesday. It is reportedly not the season-ending surgery than Lowrie once feared. He should land on the 60-day DL and possibly be back by July.

The other injured shortstop, Julio Lugo (knee) was scheduled to make his first rehab appearance with Pawtucket on Tuesday, but the PawSox were rained out.

Back-up outfielder Rocco Baldelli (hamstring) is on the 15-day DL. He will be replaced by Jeff Bailey today. Bailey will have to be moved onto the 40-man roster, but a spot just opened up (players on the 60-day DL, like Lowrie, can be replaced on the 40-man).

The Sox play two today, starting at 12:30 p.m.

Posted at 05:53 AM

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Kevin covers baseball for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He first reported on spring training games for the St. Petersburg Times in 1978. He wisely moved to Maine in 1994 and now writes about the Portland Sea Dogs and Boston Red Sox—when he's not coaching Little League baseball.

He is married to Nancy, and the couple recently completed their lineup card with the birth of their ninth child.



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