The Boston Red Sox have yet to decide on a starting catcher for Opening Day. The team's top prospect happens to be a catcher. Is this a coincidence?
Probably not, but Blake Swihart has proven his worth thus far in spring training. The 22-year-old is batting .381/.435/.571/1.006 with four runs scored, one home run and five RBIs in 10 games (22 plate appearances). He saw some time in Triple-A last season, but could perhaps use more time in the minors to fully develop, and that's likely where he'll begin 2015.
However, catcher Christian Vazquez may not be ready for Opening Day due to a sore right elbow. The 24-year-old has not seen the field since March 13 and he underwent an MRI on Thursday to see what's wrong with his arm. Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com says "it appears increasingly doubtful he will break camp with the team" since they're proceeding with caution.
"He's improving," manager John Farrell told Edes. "Any time a player misses time there's some level of concern because the talents that they are, and a player's health is first and foremost. He's making progress, but there are still some steps to accomplish."
If Vazquez isn't ready to go on Opening Day then veteran Ryan Hanigan is next in line to take over behind the plate. With that being the case, does Swihart have a legitimate shot to compete for the starting job on Apr. 6?
"Anybody in our uniform is always under consideration,'' Farrell told Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald when asked if Swihart is in the mix. "We'll see how things play out in the next eight or nine days."
Swihart was optioned to minor-league camp earlier in the week, but the potential significance surrounding Vazquez's injury can create opportunity for the prospect.
"The club had wanted Swihart to get everyday playing time in Pawtucket (Triple A), which is the primary reason he left major-league camp," writes Silverman. "But with Vazquez sidelined longer than expected, the club does not want to limit its selection of catching back-ups to the current crew of Humberto Quintero, Luke Montz, Matt Spring and Carlos Coste."
According to Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald, Farrell is waiting until this weekend to make the call on the Opening Day starter as the team awaits Vazquez's MRI results. Lauber also noted Swihart is "almost certainly bound for Triple A, unless Vazquez is going to miss significant time."
If this remains the case, Red Sox fans may not have to wait long for the debut of the organization's top prospect.
