The Pawtucket Red Sox, or just the Paw Sox as they're often called, have been affiliated with the Red Sox organization since 1970. At that time they were the AA affiliate, but now as most know, they are our AAA affiliate. The Paw Sox play in Pawtucket, Rhode Island at McCoy Stadium. The player development contract (PDC) with the Paw Sox runs out in 2010, but xpect that to be renewed for a long time, as the parent club really likes having its AAA team so close to the big club.

Let's take a look at the projected lineup:

C - George Kottaras
1B - Brandon Moss
2B - Joe Thurston
3B - Keith Ginter
SS - Jed Lowrie
LF - Chris Carter
CF - Jon Van Every
RF - Bobby Kielty
DH - Chad Spann

This lineup has some solid prospects mixed in with some players whose time for an MLB career has passed. Catcher George Kottaras started very slow last year, but finished well with the bat; he needs to work on his defense. Expect Dusty Brown to catch here at least a couple days a week. Game 1 hero Brandon Moss will see lots of time at first base this season to increase his value to the Red Sox. Moss can hit pretty well, but position versatility would a long way toward landing him a permanent spot on the big club's roster. Joe Thurston and Keith Ginter are not much in the way of prospects, but if multiple injuries occur, the two can play a variety of different positions. Jed Lowrie has come a long way since the beginning of last season. His defense has improved to the point where he could play shortstop in the majors and his bat is still very good for the position. Chris Carter was brought over in the Wily Mo Pena deal; he can absolutely rake, but his defense is bad, and that may be the nice way of putting it. If he can learn to play either first or left field he would have some serious value as trade bait. Jon Van Every is an average player all around; he can play all three outfield positions if someone goes down. Bobby Kielty accepted his minor league assignment to Pawtucket (he could have opted out but elected to stay either because the Sox assured him he'd eventually be the everyday fourth OF, or because he couldn't find anyone else that would guarantee him a better gig) and should produce well down here; he'll get bumped up immediately if and when Coco Crisp is dealt. Chad Spann can play first or third and was thought to be a solid prospect a couple years ago, but he has not improved enough since then. Still 24, he could return to that form of a couple years ago. All in all, this roster is built to do one thing: have guys ready who can step in at the MLB level in case someone goes down. They won't "wow" anyone but should be a very competitive lineup.

Let's look at the pitchers:

Starting Pitchers: Bartolo Colon, David Pauley, Devern Hansack, Michael Tejera and Charlie Zink

Relief Pitchers: Craig Hansen, Lee Gronkiewicz, Dan Kolb, Jon Switzer, Lincoln Holdzkom, Edgar Martinez and Abe Alvarez

The starting rotation has four guys who have major league experience, starting with former Cy Yong award winner Bartolo Colon. Colon has been gaining back velocity this spring and if he can control his stuff, I would expect him to be with the Sox for at least a month or so this season to help keep Clay Buchholz fresh. Pauley wears down towards the end of the year, but his stuff is solid; he may end up a reliever in the majors when all is said and done. Devern Hansack has made a few starts for Boston in the past; his fastball and slider are both good pitches. Tejera is a small guy at 5-9, but he throws right around 90 and has good control. He's pitched in the majors with Florida and Texas. Zink is a knuckleballer so expect Dusty Brown to catch him; Dusty may take Kevin Cash's job as Wakefield's primary catcher by next season. The relievers have some promise. Hansen, Holdzkom and Martinez have good arms and are young enough to carve out decent careers. Hansen is the one with the most upside; however, he really needs to step up this year. He had surgery to correct sleep apnea this offseason, which supposedly has really increased his strength. Dan Kolb was great for Milwaukee as their closer in 2003 and 2004, but has not done a whole lot since. The rest of the guys are alright options - Switzer is very good against lefties - but do not expect too much from them. Overall, the Paw Sox seem like a solid team poised for a good year.

The minor league season starts tomorrow, so good luck to all the Red Sox minor leaguers with their respective seasons.

You A Bad Mang is a senior writer for Boston Sports Buzz.