Mike: I just think this Ortiz kid that’s been playing for the Sea Dogs this week might be ready for the big leagues.

Seriously, it’s been a real treat this week to have Red Sox slugger David Ortiz rehabbing with the “Sons of Slugger” (a.k.a. the Portland Sea Dogs) for the past few days. Hadlock Field has been packed with excited fans eager to soak up some of the magic that the all-star designated hitter has brought to Maine.

Ortiz, who has been out since the beginning of June with a bad wrist, is finishing up his rehab with the Sea Dogs before rejoining the Sox just in time to take on the Yankees.

On Monday, with batting practice cancelled due to rain, Ortiz held court with the “media horde” under the Hadlock Field right field bleachers. (OK, it was only about 15-20 people, about a third of the contingent that is at any given Red Sox game, but “media horde” just sounds cooler.)

Ortiz said his wrist felt “great” and that being out of the lineup was tough. “I’ve been going a little crazy the past six weeks,” he said.

Big Papi said he was impressed with the large crowds that came out to see him at Hadlock. “It’s great to see all the fans out there,” he said. “It’s fun.”

As for jumping right back into the pennant race with a series against the Yankees, Ortiz laughed and said the players feel the intensity just like the fans do. “We have a little anger management that comes out when we play the Yankees,” Ortiz said with a grin. “It’s a series I’m excited to be into.”

One insightful reporter (OK, it was me), asked Ortiz if, after watching Josh Hamilton smash 28 dingers at the recent All-Star Game Home Run Derby, he wished he could have grabbed a bat and gone for 29. Ortiz smiled, shook his head and said Hamilton’s performance was “ridiculous.”

“I got tired (watching him),” Ortiz continued. “He did a great job.”

After that, it was time for the game, and the fans showed Ortiz the love each and every time he poked his head out of the dugout, even if it was only to go to the on-deck circle. The fans hoping for a Big Papi home run went away disappointed however, as the slugger was kept in the park for his first two games at Hadlock (although he did put on a show during batting practice on Tuesday, smashing some bombs that cleared everything in right field).

It’s been fun having Ortiz in town the past few days, and I’m sure the Sea Dogs’ management isn’t going to complain about the huge revenue boost, but I, for one, am ready to see him go. I’ll miss him in Portland, but Ortiz needs to be back in Boston where be belongs. What do you think Todd?

Todd: No question, Mike. Dustin Pedroia can’t continue to swing the bat at a .440 clip (can he?) and several members of the Sox’ lineup have been hitting close to the Mendoza Line for the last few weeks. The return of Ortiz to the Boston batting order for this weekend’s as-big-as-you-can-have-in-July series against the Yankees tops any deadline deal that might happen by any of MLB’s contending clubs.

Since you brought up the Sea Dogs, I’d like to mention a few names that local Red Sox fans should keep an eye on while they’re still around. This year the Sox’ top prospects appear to be sticking around Portland at the rate of a summer tourist vacationing at Old Orchard Beach; RHP Michael Bowden was the latest call-up to Triple-A Pawtucket after he posted nine wins and 101 strikeouts in the first half.

One current Sea Dog to watch is 23-year old southpaw fireballer Daniel Bard. The 2006 Red Sox first round draft pick hit 99 mph on the Hadlock radar gun earlier this week, made all the more impressive by the fact he is three years removed from Tommy John surgery while he was pitching at North Carolina. After a rocky June in Portland, the former Tar Heel has an ERA under 2.00 this month while averaging well over a strikeout per inning.

A big question for the Red Sox is whether there is a catcher in their organization capable of someday taking over behind the plate when Jason Varitek is no longer considered a viable option. Twenty-four-year old Sea Dog backstop Mark Wagner could be that guy, as Baseball America has called him the “Best Defensive Catcher” in the Sox’ farm system. Wagner got off to slow start at the plate but has warmed up with the weather, hitting well over .300 the past two weeks while moving into the cleanup spot in Portland’s batting order.

Two other players just called up from Single-A Lancaster (Calif.) this week are outfielder Josh Reddick, who had a two-run single in his first Double-A at bat Monday night; and 6’5″ lefty-swinging first baseman Lars Anderson, who hit 13 home runs in the first half and is considered one of the Sox’ top power-hitting prospects. When Big Papi came out of Monday’s game after getting his swings in for the night, Anderson fittingly took over DH duties. Don’t be surprised if the next time that happens it’s in a few years at Fenway Park.

Enjoy watching these kids play while you have them, Sea Dogs fans. I was fortunate enough to be in attendance Monday night and caught them all in action. There is no question that the Red Sox minor league system is as good as it has ever been, and you can credit Theo Epstein, the entire player development crew and all the great scouting for the abundance of talent in Portland right now.

By the way, is there any better baseball concession food than the crinkle-cut french fries at Hadlock Field? No wonder it’s always the longest line at the ballpark.

Mike Higgins and Todd Bloniarz have been observing Boston sports all of their lives. In their professional lives, Mike is the sports editor for Current Publishing and Todd has called and covered games for various outlets ranging from high school, college and even the Boston Red Sox for one memorable inning on NESN during the 2003 season!

WeDavid Ortiz cracks out a hit during the first of his three games with the Portland Sea Dogs at Hadlock Field on Monday. David Ortiz talks to the Maine media before the Sea Dogs game on Monday.David Ortiz strides to the batting cage before Tuesday’s game at Hadlock Field.A view usually only seen by the catcher and the home plate umpire: David Ortiz gets ready to unload on a pitch during batting practice at Hadlock Field Tuesday.

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