Minor League Cards - Pawtucket Red Sox

The 2017 Pawtucket Red Sox set is a really sharp looking set.  Choice was the manufacturer, and they used the same basic design as they did with the Salem Red Sox set.  There are more players in this set that played for the Red Sox than I care to scan, so here are the ones that got the most playing time.

Blaine Boyer had a 2.93 ERA in eleven relief appearances for Pawtucket.  He also made 27 relief appearances for Boston.  He's been up and down between AAA and the majors this year, but was called up this past week for the home stretch.  At age 36, he's made 23 different minor and major leagues stops over 17 seasons.

Brian Johnson got moved up to a starting spot in the Boston rotation, making 5 starts and going 2-0 early in the year.  Then he went back down to AAA Pawtucket where he spent most of the year with OK results.

Deven Marrero was Boston's first round draft pick in 2012.  Despite average numbers at best, he benefited from Boston's infield woes this season and appeared in 61 games.  He played first, second, and third base, and shortstop.  He's on their roster again for the home stretch.

Robbie Ross was having a good season before going down with an elbow injury.  He had a 1.50 ERA for Pawtucket and had made eight relief appearances for Boston.

Ben Taylor had a 2.70 ERA at Pawtucket and made 14 relief appearances for Boston.

Sam Travis is supposed to be Boston's future first baseman in waiting.  He was average at AAA this year, and made it into 21 games for Boston.  He's currently on the big league roster for the stretch drive.

Hector Velazquez is someone to watch in the future.  He was 8-4 with a 2.21 ERA at Pawtucket this year.  And with Boston he's 3-1 in five games and two solid starts.  He's on the big league roster for the duration, and there's talk of him being in the starting rotation should there be playoff games.

Brandon Workman was with Boston for so much of the season that I don't think of him as a minor leaguer any more.  A terrific relief pitcher, he was 4-1 with a 1.55 ERA for Pawtucket.  Since being called up to Boston, he's posted a 2.18 ERA in 25 appearances.

Bryce Brentz pounded 31 home runs for Pawtucket this year.  He also led the team with 85 runs batted in.  He never saw big league action though.  He is extremely unfortunate to be so talented yet play outfield behind the triumvirate of Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Andrew Benintendi. Brentz is older than all three of those guys too.  I'm not sure what the future holds for him.  I'm sure he doesn't want to play AAA forever.

Rusney Castillo led Pawtucket in batting average and stolen bases this year.  He too plays outfield and is in the same boat as Bryce Brentz.  What's worse for Castillo is that he's even older than Brentz and has a huge salary that will be difficult to move to another team.

Pawtucket finished fourth in the International Leagues's Northern Division with a 67-75 record.  With over half the roster seeing big league action, it goes to show the importance of a good farm system to a major league team's success.