Anthony

Ranaudo

Ranaudo, 22, posted a 3.97 ERA and 117/46 K/BB ratio in 127 innings last season between Low-A Greenville and High-A Salem. Those aren’t lights-out numbers, but the Red Sox believe the righty is a high-level talent, capable of moving quickly through their farm system.

Ranaudo dealt with groin issues during the season, as well, though the Red Sox don’t think this latest aggravation is anything serious. A sandwich round pick in 2010, Ranaudo was limited to just 37 2/3 innings with Double-A Portland this year due to injury. The 23-year-old should return to Double-A to start 2013.

Good news for Ranaudo, who had probably tired of toying with Eastern League hitters. He went 8-4 with a 2.95 ERA with Portland and led the EL with a 1.09 WHIP and .204 batting average against. Ranaudo will make his PawSox debut Monday in Buffalo. It wouldn’t be a shock if Boston rewarded the 23-year-old with a cup of coffee next month, but Ranaudo’s real ETA with the Red Sox is 2014.

It’s getting to the point where the 23-year-old right-hander doesn’t have a whole lot left to prove at the Double-A level and could be an option the next time the Red Sox are in need of a starting pitcher. It’s a nice comeback season for him, after a groin injury limited him to just 37 2/3 innings in 2012.

The Red Sox may well need someone from the group of Ranaudo, Allen Webster, Rubby De La Rosa, Henry Owens and Matt Barnes to fill a spot in the rotation this year, but it’s anyone’s guess who will emerge as the top option from the group. Ranaudo did get a nice review from Pedro Martinez the other day, but while a strong spring would help his stock, he’s almost certainly Triple-A bound.

After being limited to nine starts in 2012 due to injury, Ranaudo bounced back this past season by posting a 2.96 ERA and 127/47 K/BB ratio over 140 innings between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket. The 24-year-old could be an option for a call-up at some point in 2014.

Ranaudo holds a 3.03 ERA and 71/12 K/BB ratio over 92 Triple-A innings this season. He’ll be utilized in a relief role for now.

Oh dear. The disaster was made all the more unpalatable by the fact that Ranaudo actually held a 4-0 lead entering the bottom of the second inning. That wouldn’t last for long. After loading the bases, Ranaudo surrendered a grand slam to Byron Buxton with two outs to completely erase that advantage. He would proceed to allow two more runs in the third, one in the fourth and a final two in the fifth. In five starts between the Rangers and White Sox, the 26-year-old right-hander has pitched to a terrifying 10.13 ERA and 1.81 WHIP. It is unlikely he sees another start next time through the rotation.

Ranaudo will start in place of Jacob Turner, who allowed 12 runs in 7 1/3 innings over two starts. Ranaudo posted a 3.03 ERA and 71/12 K/BB ratio over 92 innings in Triple-A this season, but obviously this is a matchup to avoid in fantasy leagues.

Ranaudo will start for the White Sox on Wednesday in Cleveland and could take another turn next week as Miguel Gonzalez rehabs a strained right groin. Ranaudo owns an 8.71 ERA in 10 1/3 innings this season for Chicago and should be ignored in standard fantasy leagues.