Why Red Sox are holding new winter program for prospects in Fort Myers this week

While Major League Baseball’s lockout continues, a group of 28 Red Sox prospects — including some of the best in their system like Triston Casas, Nick Yorke and Blaze Jordan — are in Fort Myers this week to get some valuable and unique guidance and work in their continued development.

The new winter program — “Winter Warm-Up” — is a rookie minicamp of sorts that will serve as something of a prelude to minor league spring training. The camp began Monday and will conclude Friday at the Red Sox spring training home at JetBlue Park, where the prospects will get individualized instruction and training. It’s an additional opportunity for development that didn’t exist before.

“I think it’s a chance for us to get guys out of whether it’s colder climates or facilities where they might not have access to information or tech or just staff, and really get them down to Fort Myers and start them with their preparation for spring training,” said Red Sox director of player development Brian Abraham. “There’s strength and conditioning involvement, there’s individual player meetings, there’s larger group discussions in education, and obviously the biggest piece is the on-field work as players start to prep for the start of minor league camp.”

In the past, the Red Sox have hosted a January rookie program in Boston, which Abraham noted is different from what the prospects are experiencing this week. But this program, as Abraham alluded to, allows them to do more in warmer weather.

“It was an opportunity to get a large group of players into a warmer climate,” Abraham said. “We have had the program in Boston. Obviously when the weather permits us, we do have some workouts, but as most of you know, they’re very limited workouts. It’s certainly a focus on strength and conditioning, which is great, but guys aren’t able to really have their full workloads or they take time away from their progressions in spring training. Here, no matter where those players are coming from, we’re able to hit the ground running here at camp in the warmer weather. …

“It was a full day outside today. Batting practice on the field, some guys were able to throw lighter sides. It’s a chance to really be on the field more. A lot of the education, a lot of the conversations still happen. As we all know, the development of a player doesn’t just stop at the upper levels or begin at the lower levels. It gradually happens throughout time. I think some of the lessons or information we’re providing these players are things that can work, whether they are an A-ball player or a Triple-A player.”

The 28-man group does not include anyone on the 40-man roster due to the ongoing lockout as clubs are currently restricted from having contact with them. But the group includes several top prospects and a few newcomers to the organization — including Alex Binelas and David Hamilton, who were acquired in the Hunter Renfroe-Jackie Bradley Jr. trade.

The days this week will somewhat resemble what the prospects will experience in March during minor league spring training, with early morning report times and departure in the early afternoon.

“A fairly heavy day, but at the same time, also not trying to wear these guys out too early in the season,” Abraham said.

The camp taking place in Fort Myers will also allow prospects to get in a rhythm as they prepare for the spring. Abraham said the majority of the 28-man group will be sticking around to take part in the other winter programs that begin next week.

“I think that was one of the points of having it at this time of year, to hopefully get guys to come here that stay throughout,” Abraham said.

Thaddeus Ward, who had Tommy John surgery in June, is part of the group in Fort Myers this week. Abraham said the right-hander threw on Monday and “looks great.”

“We’re excited by where Thad is,” Abraham said. “He continues to progress in his rehab. As we all know, medically there’s never shortcuts, and there’s always ups and downs, but we’re excited about where Thad is and looking forward to continuing to progress with his throwing.”

Here’s the full list of prospects in Fort Myers this week:

Outfielders (3)
Tyler Dearden
Nick Decker
Gilberto Jimenez

Catchers (4)
Kole Cottam
Jaxx Groshans
Nathan Hickey
Stephen Scott

Infielders (9)
Alex Binelas
Brainer Bonaci
Triston Casas
David Hamilton
Blaze Jordan
Christian Koss
Matthew Lugo
Ceddanne Rafaela
Nick Yorke

Pitchers (12)
LHP Brendan Cellucci
RHP Michael Feliz
RHP Franklin German
RHP Brian Keller
RHP Zack Kelly
LHP Austin Lambright
LHP Chris Murphy
RHP A.J. Politi
RHP Chase Shugart
LHP Brandon Walter
RHP Thaddeus Ward
LHP Jeremy Wu-Yelland