Anderson, Bard and Lin headline list of Red Sox minor league players of the year

As the Red Sox prepare for an ALDS clash with the Los Angeles Angels, the attention is understandably focused on who will start game two and game three, and whether or not Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew will be part of the post-season roster. Lost in these story lines - and what was ultimately an unsuccessful attempt to catch Tampa bay in the final week - are the Red Sox prospects who were recognized for their 2008 performances.

Here are the organization's players of the year:

Offensive Player of the Year - Lars Anderson

Minor league pitchers have a problem retiring the left-handed hitting Anderson, who was Boston's 18th round pick out of high school in 2006. He fits the organization's preference for hitters who are patient at the plate and possess a keen batting eye. Anderson hits for power and average, and has a habit of reaching base. He started the season at advanced Single-A Lancaster, where he hit .317 with 13 home runs, 50 RBI, a .408 OBP and a .921 OPS in 306 at-bats. After receiving a promotion to Double-A Portland, Anderson is hit .316 with five home runs, 30 RBI and a .962 OPS in 133 at-bats.

If Boston does not sign Mark Teixeira in the off-season (I don't think they will be a major player), expect Anderson to potentially start at first base for the Red Sox in 2010, leading the team to move Kevin Youkilis to third and trade Mike Lowell, whose contract expires after the 2010 season. Likely, Anderson will begin the 2009 season at Portland, but he could earn a promotion to Pawtucket at some point next year.

Pitcher of the Year - Daniel Bard

It might seem like a simple transition, but it's not. Just because a minor leaguer - or a big leaguer, for that matter - is struggling as a starting pitcher, but has good stuff, doesn't mean that he can adapt to a relief role. Justin Masterson is an exception. So is Daniel Bard.

Drafted as a starting pitcher in the first round out of the University of North Carolina in 2006, Bard was awful in 2007, his first as a minor leaguer. In 17 starts at Single-A Greenville, he posted a 6.39 ERA. He was worse in five starts at advanced Single-A Lancaster, where his ERA was 10.13. His lack of control didn't help. In 62 innings at Greenville, he walked 56. In 13.1 innings at Lancaster, he walked 22. Yes, 22.

Despite these atrocious numbers, the Red Sox weren't about to give up on Bard, who has a high-90s four seam fast ball, a low 90s two seamer with movement and an assortment of secondary pitches. Bard was transformed into a reliever and has dominated this season, improving his command. He walked just four in 28 innings at Greenville, recording a 0.64 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 15 appearances. Bard skipped Lancaster and was promoted to Double-A Portland, where he recorded a 1.99 ERA in 31 outings, allowing 30 hits and striking out 64 in 49.2 innings. Bard walked 26, a much more palatable number compared to what he did in 2007.

The 23-year-old right-hander has a chance to make the Red Sox out of spring training next year, but he will probably open the season at Triple-A Pawtucket and make his big league debut at some point in 2009. With Jonathan Papelbon, Justin Masterson and Manny Delcarmen already set in Boston; and Bard, Richie Lentz, Kyle Weiland, Bryan Price and Stephen Fife opening eyes, the Sox could have a mostly homegrown bullpen by 2010.

Defensive Player of the Year - Che-Hsuan Lin

Talk about someone who has rapidly emerged as a top prospect, the 20-year-old Lin made a name for himself when he was awarded with Futures Game MVP honors last summer. He also played for his native Taiwan in the Olympics. Lin is a contact hitter with superb speed on the basepaths. In the field, he has a strong glove, exceptional range and a rocket arm that uncorks accurate throws. He had 33 stolen bases for Single-A Greenville. With Ellsbury, Kalish and Lin, the Sox definitely do not have a shortage of fleet-footed outfielders. Lin will probably open the 2009 season at advanced Single-A Salem (Va.), which replaced Lancaster as Boston's advanced Single-A affiliate.

Base Runner of the Year - Wilfred Pichardo

While Anderson, Bard and Lin are considered top prospects who will undoubtedly have an impact in the big leagues, it is uncertain whether Pichardo will reach that level. Yet the 18-year-old outfielder could open eyes in 2009. This year, he had 42 stolen bases and had 202 at-bats for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox. Pichardo, who was signed by Boston as an international free agent in 2006, also saw a cup of coffee at short-season Lowell. He will likely open the 2009 season in the Gulf Coast League, or at Lowell.

Latin Program Pitcher of the Year - Manny Rivera

I don't know much about Boston's Latin program prospects, but Rivera is 18, a left-hander and he strikes out more than a batter per inning, so that is encouraging. Stolmy Pimentel is regarded as the organization's top pitcher out of the Dominican Summer League in the last two years, but Rivera could provide Pimentel with some competition as they climb through the Sox minor league system.

Latin Program Offensive Player of the Year - Eddie Lora

A switch-hitting first baseman who was signed as an international free agent in 2006, Lora shined for the Dominican Summer League Red Sox, batting .300 with five home runs in 120 at-bats. However, the 19-year-old was 0-for-32 in 10 games with the GCL Red Sox. Lora has tremendous power potential, but he strikes out frequently. Sounds like another Wily Mo Pena to me.