Michael Almanzar

Almanzar appeared to finally get a clue in 2012, when he hit .300/.353/.458 with 36 doubles and 12 homers for High-A Salem -- by far his best production since joining the Red Sox organization six years ago. He was unable to follow up in the Arizona Fall League, but he's still young (21) and there is enough organizational interest to see if his 2012 season was a fluke. The organization exposed him in the Rule 5 Draft, but no other team claimed him. His chances are running out, and Almanzar will need to hit well enough to see Double-A Portland this season to sustain the organization's commitment. If he reverts to his pre-2012 form, the Red Sox will give up on him.

The organization's work to improve Almanzar's swing finally started to pay off toward the end of 2010 when he put together his best month of baseball in August of last year. He still has balance issues with his swing and needs to put more body action into it. Almanzar shows great power potential and has natural power, which will be enhanced when he refines that swing. Entering his fourth year in the organization, he really needs to show strides with his patience and swing mechanics. He'll most likely begin the season at High-A Salem, where he'll be put to the test.

Just 19, Almanzar enters his third season in the Red Sox system. The organization loves his potential, but he still needs work in several areas. At the plate, his balance needs improvement and he often gets his arms out way ahead of his body. He's got good power potential, with more mass to be added to his body, but the poor swing mechanics mitigates his present power. Defensively, his footwork needs to improve, though he's got a plus arm. Like 2009, before being demoted to Short-Season Lowell, Almanzar will probably begin the season at Low-A Greenville.

Almanzar, just 18 next year, began the season at Boston's Gulf Coast League rookie team for whom he hit well before struggling in a 35-game stint at Low-A Greenville. He was signed as a shortstop, but the Red Sox are teaching him third base, though he needs a lot of work in the field. As his body fills out, we'll see more power, but at this point he's hitting mostly singles. The Red Sox will take their time with him.