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3:01	PressHerald.com - HI everyone. What a beautiful Friday afternoon -- good day to talk baseball.

3:02	PressHerald.com - Kevin Thomas, baseball writer, is our guest today. Kevin first reported from spring training in 1978, and he's been at the Press Herald since 1994.

3:03	[Comment From Jon Reisman ] What does Josh Reddick need to show the Sox in Portland this year?

3:05	PressHerald.com - Thanks, Jon. Kevin is typing fast!

3:05

Kevin Thomas - Reddick showed a lot in spring training. The Red Sox still want him to be more selective with the pitches he swings at. He has improved greatly in that area. Batting him leadoff certainly helps. He is aware that he needs to get on base, not just club home runs.
If he keeps this up, he should be in Pawtucket later this season.

3:06	PressHerald.com - Kevin, who else might have a good chance to go to Pawtucket?

3:07	Kevin Thomas - First baseman Lars Anderson is a candidate. He got off to a slow start, but is coming around. The Red Sox like to promote their prospects mid-season, so Anderson should be around a few more months.

3:09	PressHerald.com - What are the Sox looking for in Anderson?

3:09	Kevin Thomas - Another obvious Pawtucket-bound player is Sea Dogs pitcher Junichi Tazawa.

3:10	Kevin Thomas - Oops. That last question arrived at the same time of my last answer. About Anderson, the Red Sox would love to see him continue to improve his fielding and show some power.

3:13	PressHerald.com - Kevin, where do you see the Red Sox in the AL East this year, and why?

3:14	[Comment From Ryan ] Is Cox ever going to put it all together again?

3:14	Kevin Thomas - First this year for two reasons: Pitching and depth. I'll go into more on that later.

3:15	[Comment From Ryan ] Has Doubront been more or less impressive than you though? Does he have the stuff to continue to strikeout batters in AAA/MLB?

3:16

Kevin Thomas - Good question. He is a long ways away from that 0.74 ERA he posted in Class A ball in 2006. The Red Sox were careful not to rush him (ala Cla Meredith), but Cox lost his command. Injuries have not helped. But, even healthy, he does not look the same. If he regains his fastball command and slider. But that's a big if.

3:19

Kevin Thomas - I hwas impressed with Doubront in the one startI watched him, especially since I did not expect him in Double-A yet. His fatsball is not blazing (ala Lester), but he spots it, and has a great curve. He may get by on finese in Double-A. Triple-A may be where we find out if he is truly a prospect.

3:20	[Comment From Jimmy ] Kevin- Love your work. Who have been some early season surprises for you?

3:20	[Comment From Ryan ] Argenis Diaz seems to be hitting a bit recently, do you think he is more than a light stick / slick glove future utility man?

3:21	Kevin Thomas - Among the surprises: Reddick's fast start. He has adapted the Red Sox patient approach to his free-swinging ways. Also, Tazawa has lived up to the hype.

3:22	[Comment From Ben ] Who would you say are the 3 most successful major leaguers who've played for the Sea Dogs?

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