2022 Bowman Break

I tried my luck with Bowman.  Let's see how that one worked out:

1.  Jeter Downs.  Downs was the major prospect Boston got in the Mookie Betts deal and he finally made his Major League debut in 2022.  He played in 14 games and hit just .154/.171/.256 with a home run and four RBIs.  In the minors he hit .197/.316/.412.  He is still reasonably young at 24 coming in to the 2023 season, but the last two seasons in the minors have not been good.  Boston ended up DFAing him and the Nationals took a chance.  

2.  Niko Kavadas.  Kavadas was drafted by Boston in the 11th round in 2021.  He hit two home runs in 15 games in 2021 and then 26 in 120 in 2022.  He made it up to Double-A last year.  He seems to have a lot of power and a decent hit tool.  If he is going to make it to Boston though, it will probably be as a designated hitter.  

3.  Cedanne Rafaela.  My only Chrome First-Year card is Rafaela.  He made huge strides in 2022, skyrocketing up the Red Sox prospect chart.  Defensively, he is elite, able to play in the infield and outfield.  He has a decent hit tool, hitting .330 in High-A and .278 in Double-A.  He stole 28 bases and hit 21 home runs.  Rafaela is now a Top-5 prospect in the system.  

4.  Jarren Duran.  Duran took a huge step backward in 2022.  Now, it looks increasingly likely that he does not have a future in Boston.  Things could change if he has a big Spring Training, but there is a lot of work to be done.

5.  J.D. Martinez.  What is there to say about Martinez that I have not already said?  He will be missed.  Justin Turner will be the DH in 2023, possibly keeping the position warm for Kavadas.

6.  Bobby Dalbec.  Echo the statements that I made about Duran for Dalbec.  He is even less likely to have much chance going forward, unless Triston Casas struggles.

IN OTHER NEWS:

I did a recount on my Varitek cards and found there were a few cards that needed to be eliminated.  Team cards that I meant to take out before but missed.  So, I am down to 977.  22 to go to 1,000.