Ryan Kalish

Kalish was non-tendered by Boston and became a free agent. He didn't play at all in 2013 after undergoing neck and shoulder surgeries the last few years. At this point, it's unclear what he can give a team in 2014. He was once a highly regarded prospect and appeared in 53 games for Boston in 2010. Kalish was looking like the favorite to take over right field when J.D. Drew moved on, but he was slow to recover from a shoulder injury in 2011, and bad luck seemed to follow him.

What looked like an orderly progression to Boston's right-field job in 2012 has been derailed by a shoulder injury he suffered early in 2011. The Red Sox added corner outfielders in the free-agent market in the offseason, making Kalish's role for the upcoming season murky. They have added Jonny Gomes, who does not figure to be a full-time starter, while the addition of Shane Victorino smells like insurance against a departure of center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury. For Kalish, it all starts with his shoulder. He has dedicated the offseason to improving his strength, and it will be easier to get a read on his health during spring training. Even with the addition of outfielders in the offseason, Kalish can still earn a spot as the starting right fielder at some point in 2013 depending how things break across the roster.

Kalish lost a year of development in 2011 amid several injuries. He first suffered a partially torn labrum when diving for a ball in April. He was able to avoid surgery on the shoulder, but a neck injury suffered during his time rehabbing the shoulder eventually shut down his season and required a procedure, and he'll now be out until May or June. Prior to the injuries, he was on schedule to take over right field in 2012. With the trade of Josh Reddick, right field is open, but Kalish will need to get back up to speed before he can take the job. Until then, a combination of Ryan Sweeney, Darnell McDonald and Cody Ross will man right field, barring another offseason acquisition by the Red Sox.

Kalish has been a comer in the organization for a couple of years, but was promoted to Boston ahead of schedule when injuries struck and other available options in the system were less attractive. His season was split fairly evenly into thirds: two months in Double-A, two months in Triple-A and two months in Boston. While he had some moments for Boston, we can't help but think the organization would like him to play every day at Triple-A than have him as a fourth or fifth outfielder. He's developed some good habits in terms of his approach at the plate and plays the game with passion. Kalish has moved ahead of Josh Reddick as the most senior outfield prospect and is someone to keep in mind as the potential 2012 right fielder when J.D. Drew heads to free agency.

Kalish, 22, struggled at the plate initially when promoted to Double-A Portland, but he worked through it and eventually hinted at the predicted power potential with 13 homers and 56 RBI in 391 at-bats for the Sea Dogs. A hamate bone injury in 2007 slowed some of his development, but he's back on track. Kalish arrived as a center fielder, but played all three spots in 2009 and could move to a corner pending the development of his frame and power.

Kalish, who came back from a broken hamate bone in his right wrist that cut short his 2007 season, made the move from Low-A Greenville to High-A Lancaster, and predictably dropped off going up a level. The Red Sox have worked on his swing and plate patience and it shows in his numbers at Greenville. He's got excellent speed with leadoff hitter potential, but doesn't have much present power. At 21, his body may fill out and he could show more pop and perhaps move to a corner-outfield spot in time for J.D. Drew's departure from Boston. Kalish will remain in High-A.