07/04/2005 12:50 AM ET
Papelbon promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket
Red Sox also move Sanchez to Double-A Portland
By Daren Smith / MLB.com
* Papelbon, Sanchez promoted
The Red Sox promoted two of their top pitching prospects on Sunday night, sending Jon Papelbon to Triple-A Pawtucket and Anibal Sanchez to Double-A Portland.
Papelbon's assignment came one night after the 24-year-old right-hander pitched six hitless innings and struck out 10 in a 5-1 victory over the Norwich Navigators. Only a hip flexor kept him from trying to complete a seven-inning no-hitter in the opening game of a doubleheader.
Boston's fourth-round pick in the 2003 draft, Papelbon was 5-2 in 14 starts with the Sea Dogs and ranked second in the Eastern League with a 2.48 ERA.
He's ranked third among Red Sox prospects by Baseball America, which considers his fastball and slider the best in Boston's Minor League system. Papelbon was the organization's 2004 Minor League Pitcher of the Year after going 12-7 with a 2.64 ERA in 24 starts for Class A Sarasota.
I hope the Red Sox pitching falls apart so he can make it to the show.
I still can't root for the Sox though. 
