Boston Red Sox Prospect Anthony Ranaudo Makes Stellar Triple-A Debut


Anthony Ranaudo

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Top-10 Boston Red Sox prospect Anthony Ranaudo made his triple-A debut on Sunday, and he was impressive.

After poor double-A All-Star Game and Futures Game performances, Ranaudo continued his dominant regular season. After going 8-4 with an ERA of 2.95 ERA in 109.2 innings at double-A this season, he was called up to Pawtucket on August 2 and made his debut two days later. He went six strong innings, striking out five, giving up four hits with no walks or runs allowed.

He faced the Toronto Blue Jays‘ triple-A squad that included a couple of guys who have had some success in the big leagues in Anthony Gose, Andy LaRoche, and Munemori Kawasaki.

Ranaudo has a ceiling of a no. 3 starter, but the promotion to triple-A means he just might get some time with the big league club this season. He has not made a single appearance out of the bullpen in his three-year pro career, so he will likely only make it to the big leagues as a fifth starter.

The current fifth spot in the rotation has been, well, a rotation of Allen Webster, Brandon Workman, and Steven Wright. The Red Sox are hoping they will not need to use the mesh of pitchers much longer with the eventual return of Clay Buchholz.

Buchholz will soon do something he has not done since before the All-Star break — throw from a mound. He has yet to have a setback since his visit with Dr. James Andrews and is now throwing at 80 percent intensity.

You can follow Shaun Kernahan on twitter @shaunkernahanGoogle+, and like Shaun on Facebook.


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