By SeanMcAdam
CSNNE.com
BOSTON -- The Red Sox hope that at 25, Jarrod Saltalamacchia is their catcher of the present and the future. But given that the position is so hard to develop, the Red Sox are happy to have Ryan Lavarnway in the minor leagues.
In 2010, Lavarnway led all Red Sox minor-leaguers with 101 RBI to go along with 22 homers, split between High Single A Salem and Double A Portland.
"Offensively, his track record speaks for itself,'' said director of player development Mike Hazen of Lavarnway. "He was our co-offensive Player of the Year. He's got a tremendous approach at the plate. He's got good discipline and he's got tremendous raw power, which is something that we haven't been the best at developing.''
While Lavarnway's hitting is impressive, he still needs work as a catcher. He played sparingly behind the plate in high school and college (Yale), but has made progress as a pro.
"He's continuing to improve,'' said Hazen at the Red Sox Rookie Development program Wednesday. "He's probably, if not the hardest-working player we've had, then one of the hardest-working players. He's made himself into what we see today, so we feel like he's going to continue to make himself into an even better defensive player.
"I think the blocking, the receiving -- the technical aspects of catching -- certainly still need to improve, as they do with any minor-league player. As he gets into the upper levels and gets into big-league camp -- the game-calling, the handling of the pitching staff -- that's going to be a big shift for him. But he's a really smart kid, so he's going to be able to absorb all those things.''
Boston Red Sox
"I think defensively, I didn't realize how far I had to come,'' admitted Lavarnway. "Realizing that, and seeing other catchers in the minors, has helped me realize where I need to go and the weaknesses I hadn't even noticed in my own game. I want to make some of the things that are weaknesses, strengths."
Lavarnway will probably return to Double A Portland to start his season -- in part because he had only a half-season there last year and in part because there are other catching prospects (Mark Wagner and Luis Exposito) ahead of him at Pawtucket.
"He still needs some development time,'' said Hazen.
New pitching coach Curt Young was on hand to watch some of the pitching prospects in the program -- including Stolmy Pimentel, Alex Wilson and Jason Rice -- but his primary focus, of course, will be on the major-league staff.
"I've really just been getting in touch with guys to say hello,'' said Young, who replaces John Farrell, who left after four seasons to become manager of the Toronto Blue Jays. "You can't get into too much unless you see them throw.''
In Oakland, Young worked primarily with younger starters. With the Sox, Young inherits a more veteran staff, including John Lackey and Josh Beckett, both of whom are in their 30s.
"I don't think it will be that different,'' Young said. "Pitchers are pitchers. Every year, they're looking to improve and if I can help them do that, that's why I'm here. Everybody's personality comes out as a pitcher and I need to get to know them that way. I'm sure we'll gel quick.''
Beckett slumped to 6-6 with a 5.68 ERA last season and getting him turned around may be a key for the 2011 rotation.
"I've watched a lot of video,'' said Young, "but I'm really not going to form an opinion that way until I'm with him and seen him pitch.''
Outfielder Ryan Westmoreland, whose career was interrupted last February when he underwent brain surgery, continues his comeback in Fort Myers, where he's spent most of the winter.
"He's doing well,'' said Hazen. "He's hitting, throwing, going through all the workouts. I still think the original diagnosis means he's going to still take some time to get back to where he was. I'm still not making any hard-line predictions or a time frame for when he's actually going to come out and play in games. We're just going to continue what we have, day-by-day.
"We've seen steady progress. He's seen steady progress. It's still going to take a little while to get him back to where he was. We're still confident and optimistic. But if you're betting on any one person to make it back, it's him. You'd be amazed with the amount of drive, with all the setbacks and all he's had to go through.
Hazen said Westmoreland will be treated as if he's on injury rehab during spring training.
"It's inspiring,'' he said, "and you just hope that he's going to take the field one day because you know how badly he wants it.''
Sean McAdam can be reached at smcadam@comcastsportsnet.com.Follow Sean on Twitter at http:twitter.comsean_mcadam