Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

COMMENTARY: ON BASEBALL

Rizzo's star quickly on rise

By KEVIN THOMAS Maine Sunday Telegram

PORTLAND -- The offseason is getting close. And in every off-season, a rising prospect from the minor leagues is destined to become a media magnet.

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WAITING FOR THE CALL: Portland Sea Dogs catcher Luis Exposito, left, hit .259 with 11 home runs and 90 RBIs this season, all while improving on defense. Next year, he’s hoping to receive a promotion to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Maine Sunday Telegram file photo by John Ewing

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Lars Anderson finished the 2008 season by hitting .316 in Portland, with five home runs in 41 games. He was deemed the Red Sox No. 1 prospect the next year, but the easy-going Anderson hated the attention.

Casey Kelly was the intriguing first-round draft pick in 2008 because of his pitcher-shortstop potential. When he decided on pitching full-time before the 2010 season, Kelly had endured countless interviews.

The hot name for the upcoming offseason is not hard to figure. Anthony Rizzo will be talking into a lot of microphones and tape recorders.

Rizzo, 21, has already experienced the increase in media requests since he moved up to Double-A. It's all part of being a rising celebrity in Red Sox Nation.

"I've heard that the higher you go up, the more (attention) you get," Rizzo said. "I don't mind it at all."

Rizzo's story is compelling -- young player having already survived cancer and returning back to top form.

His numbers make him a legitimate prospect. While his Double-A average has slumped recently to .257, through Thursday's games, he still leads all Boston minor leaguers with 23 home runs (18 for Portland) and has 94 RBIs.

Ryan Lavarnway will also get his share of publicity with his New England connection (Yale) and the Red Sox continuous hunt for the next catching prospect.

Lavarnway, 23, also has Anderson-like numbers in his short time in Double-A, but with a little more pop. In 40 games, Lavarnway is batting .287 with eight home runs and 33 RBI.

Catcher Luis Exposito has stayed in Portland all year. While he would have liked to get a bump up to Triple-A, Exposito has been productive with a .259 average, 11 home runs, 90 RBIs and improvement defensively.

"I've made a lot of progress," Exposito said. "Running the staff. My maturity. Just overall learning how to play the game. There are a lot more intangibles you have to take care of up here."

Exposito would seem ticketed to Triple-A next year, but the confident Exposito is not shy about his goal.

"I want to be in the big leagues next year," Exposito said.

Two free agents say they want to be back with the Red Sox, but it may depend on what Boston offers Nate Spears and Ray Chang.

Spears, 25, and Chang, 27, both came to Red Sox organization as minor league free agents with Triple-A experience. But neither received an invitation to the major league camp, and both stayed in Portland all year despite productive seasons.

Chang led the team in batting (.298) and played sensational defense at third base until he suffered a broken finger last week when he was hit by a pitch.

Spears also was an infield whiz, at second base and, through Thursday, was hitting .270 with 18 home runs, 74 RBIs and 97 runs. His on-base percentage (.374) and slugging percentage (.449) made for a .824 OPS.

"I like the Red Sox. They've been a great organization," Spears said.

But isn't he looking for a shot at Triple-A?

"It would be nice," he said.

Chang said, "of all the organizations I've been with, this is the most fun I've had and the most enjoyable season I've had."

While he wants to re-sign with Boston, "I'm looking for something to benefit my career at the next level."

Chih-Hsien Chiang finished his season early, with a wrist injury suffered early last week. Chiang, 22, may not have had eye-popping numbers (.260, 11 home runs) until you look at his progression.

He batted .117 in April, then .212 (May), .272 (June), .320 (July) and .322 (August). Nine of his 11 home runs came in the last three months.

"It was hard to be patient (at first). The pitchers at this level have such good command," Chiang said through an interpreter. "I worked with our hitting coach to see more pitches and be more patient."

When Manny Delcarmen was traded by the Red Sox last week, it brought to mind the pitching-rich Sea Dogs team of 2005. Thirteen pitchers from that team have had major league time.

How many can you name?

Here they are: Manny Delcarmen, Kason Gabbard, Craig Hansen, Jon Lester, Jim Mann, Cla Meredith, Wade Miller, Jonathan Papelbon, David Pauley, Jason Pearson, Anibal Sanchez, Chris Smith and Charlie Zink.