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3 Biggest Prospect Letdowns in Recent Red Sox History

By Max Smith

Craig Hansen was expected to do big things in the majors, but only lasted two seasons with the Red Sox.
Craig Hansen was expected to do big things in the majors, but only lasted two seasons with the Red Sox. / J. Meric/Getty Images

In recent years, the Red Sox have had an amazing supply of superstars coming from their farm system. Players such as Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Andrew Benintendi and Rafael Devers all came up through the Red Sox organization.

However, the Sox have had their fair share of busts as well -- don't get it twisted. Here are the three biggest prospect letdowns in recent Red Sox history.

3. Henry Owens

In two seasons with the Red Sox, former first round pick Henry Owens posted a 5.19 ERA.
In two seasons with the Red Sox, former first round pick Henry Owens posted a 5.19 ERA. / Dave Reginek/Getty Images

After being selected 36th overall in the 2011 MLB Draft, the hype for Owens followed him everywhere. He was outstanding throughout his minor league career, posting a 2.47 combined ERA between Double-A and Triple-A before making the move to the majors. In 2013, MLB.com ranked Owens as the 77th best prospect in all of baseball. . When Owens came up in 2015, he looked like a completely different pitcher. Struggling with command, Owens only started 16 games for the Sox, finishing with a 5.19 ERA.

2. Lars Anderson

First baseman Lars Anderson was an absolute disaster for the Red Sox.
First baseman Lars Anderson was an absolute disaster for the Red Sox. / Elsa/Getty Images

Unlike Owens, Anderson was not a highly-rated prospect entering the draft. He was picked in the 18th round of the 2006 MLB Draft and flew under the radar early in his career. The first baseman exploded in 2008, batting .317 and hitting 22 home runs between High-A and Double-A ball. Following his 2008 season, he was ranked as the Red Sox No. 1 prospect and 19th overall by Baseball America. By the time he made it to the majors in 2010, his stock had already taken a hit. In 30 total games with the Red Sox, Anderson hit an abhorrent .167, and never panned out. What a shame.

1. Craig Hansen

The hype for Craig Hansen was astronomical, which is what makes his MLB career so disappointing.
The hype for Craig Hansen was astronomical, which is what makes his MLB career so disappointing. / Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

Reliever Craig Hansen was selected 26th overall in the 2005 MLB Draft. The Red Sox rushed him into major league games far to quickly, with his debut coming the same year he was drafted. At only 21, it was clear Hansen wasn't ready for the Show, posting a 6.00 ERA in four games, following that up with a 6.63 ERA in 38 games the in 2006. In 2008, Hansen was part of the trade that netted the Sox Jason Bay. Hansen was out of the league by 2009, finishing with a career ERA of 6.34.