Boston Red Sox prospects coming to Hartford to play Yard Goats this week
New York Yankees and New York Mets fans have had their turn. Now it’s time for Hartford-area baseball fans to get a look at the Boston Red Sox’s top prospects.
The Portland Sea Dogs, the Red Sox’s Double-A affiliate, will be in town for six games against the Hartford Yard Goats at Dunkin’ Donuts Park beginning Tuesday.
The Yard Goats (15-12) have won seven of their last 10 games, rising to second place in the Eastern League’s Northeast Division. Top Rockies prospects Ezequiel Tovar, Michael Toglia and Willie McIver have been swinging hot bats, and the organization is sending two of its top evaluators, former manager Clint Hurdle and Hall-of-Fame hopeful Todd Helton, to Hartford to have a look at the Yard Goats this week.
Portland (13-14) has five of Boston’s top-30 prospects on its roster.
Here’s what you need to know about the rest of this Hartford homestand:
Probable starters and promotions
Tuesday, 7:05 p.m.: Hartford LHP Nick Bush vs. Portland LHP Brandon Walter
Promotion: New Charging Yard Goats’ cap giveaway to the first 2,000 fans.
Wednesday, 7:05 p.m.: Hartford RHP Noah Davis vs. Portland RHP Brayan Bello
Promotion: Deafness awareness night.
Thursday, 7:05 p.m.: Hartford RHP Karl Kauffman vs. Portland LHP Jay Groome
Promotion: Meet Leslie David Baker (Stanley from “The Office”).
Friday, 7:05 p.m.: Hartford RHP Mitch Kilkenny vs. Portland LHP Chris Murphy
Promotion: Halfway to Halloween (contests for kids).
Saturday, 6:05 p.m.: Hartford RHP Noah Gotsis vs. Portland RHP Victor Santos
Promotion: Military Appreciation Night, postgame fireworks.
Sunday, 1:05 p.m.: Bush vs. Walter
Promotion: Kids run the bases.
How to watch/listen
Radio — FM 100.9 or AM 1410 WPOP; Video Stream — MiLB.tv; Internet — newsradio1410.iheart.com (iHeartRadio app)
For tickets and information: Visit yardgoatsbaseball.com or call 860-246-4628.
Hot Yard Goats
Hartford shortstop Ezequiel Tovar is off to a great start, leading the Eastern League with a .340 batting average, 34 hits and 59 total bases. He ranks second in the Eastern League with 20 RBIs. The 20-year old was named Eastern League Player of the Month for April after getting named Eastern League Player of the Week last Monday. ... Catcher Willie MacIver is tied for the league lead with eight home runs, including a three-run homer on Friday night helping the Yard Goats to a 4-0 victory against Binghamton. ... First baseman Michael Toglia may be finding his stride after hitting a monster homer, clearing everything in right field on Sunday.
Future Red Sox to watch
The current Sea Dogs’ top prospects include pitcher Brayan Bello, ranked fifth in the organization by MLB.com, Walker (No. 9), Murphy (No. 11), Groome (No. 12), the 12th overall pick in the 2016 draft, and infielder Christian Koss (No. 27). The Sea Dogs also have David Hamilton, who came to the Red Sox organization in the Jackie Bradley Jr. trade with Milwaukee. Former UConn closer Jacob Wallace is making his first trip to Hartford as a pro. Wallace, an NCAA Tournament star in 2019, is 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 11 innings.
Portland baseball history
Portland joined the Eastern League as a Florida Marlins affiliate in 1994. The Red Sox became the parent club in 2003, and the team won championships in 2005 and 2006. “Slugger” is the mascot. The manager this year is Chad Epperson, who previously was Boston’s roving catching instructor.
Dom Amore can be reached at damore@courant.
