MANCHESTER -- Timing is everything in baseball, we know. In that respect, minor-league fans have hit the jackpot in Manchester.

This is where Justin Verlander, Matt Garza and Justin Masterson all made their Double-A debut. Jon Lester had one of his best starts in the minors along the Merrimack River.

Monday night the Fisher Cats will face Red Sox prospect Anthony Ranaudo, a 6-foot-7 starter for the Sea Dogs, who has yet to pitch at Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine.

Ranaudo, who led Louisiana State to a 2009 national title, is the next big thing. A supplemental first-round pick in the 2010 draft, the New Jersey native signed for $2.55 million with agent Scott Boras at his side.

Now it's time to see how he handles the lightning-quick bats and prospect-laden land of Double-A. Ranaudo will have to face Fisher Cats home run leader Mark Sobolewski (nine homers) and red-hot shortstop Ryan Goins, batting .400 in May.

New Hampshire sends Brett Cecil to the mound in the series opener. The lefty, who has beaten the Red Sox three times in his career, has shown signs of earning another trip to the majors. Cecil threw five shutout innings in his most recent start at New Britain.

Watch for Ranaudo's plus-fastball (92-93-mph) and knee-buckling curve, rated as the best breaking ball in the organization by minor-league authority Baseball America.

Another top-10 Red Sox prospect to watch? Portland outfielder Bryce Brentz. The 23-year-old has shown an abundance of power early in his career and projects to play right field for the Red Sox. Last season, Brentz belted 30 homers with 94 RBIs in Class A and was named the Red Sox co-Offensive Player of the Year among minor leaguers. In 2009, he led NCAA Division I with a .465 average and 28 homers at Middle Tennessee State.

Brentz also was part of Boston's 2010 draft class, along with Sea Dogs third baseman Kolbrin Vitek, a first-round pick (20th overall). Vitek, a 6-foot-2, 195-pounder, entered the year as Boston's ninth-best prospect, according to MLB.com.

The Fisher Cats received some bad news Friday when catcher A.J. Jimenez learned he would need Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery to repair the inside of his right elbow. The 22-year-old prospect hasn't played since May 13 and recently was placed on the 7-day disabled list. On Friday night, Jimenez exited the ballpark with his elbow wrapped and told a fan he was already scheduled for surgery. Fisher Cats manager Sal Fasano said the ulnar collateral ligament is “hanging by a thread.” Jimenez had been outstanding behind the plate for New Hampshire, throwing out 55 percent of would-be base stealers and picking off three runners.

The four-game set between the Fisher Cats and Sea Dogs opens Monday night at 7:05. Portland owns a league-worst 4.54 ERA while New Hampshire (4.14) has given up the most homers (41) in the league.

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FISHER TRACKS: The feel-good story of the week goes to ex-Fisher Cats catcher Yan Gomes, who made his debut for the Blue Jays and became the first Brazil native to reach the majors. Gomes had two hits in his first game against the Yankees and homered the next night against the Mets.

Gomes, who moved to Miami at age 9, originally was drafted by the Red Sox (38th round) out of high school. He did not sign a pro contract, instead attending the University of Tennessee and eventually becoming a 10th-round pick of the Blue Jays.

Last season, he began the year as backup catcher behind Travis d'Arnaud and later served as backup behind first baseman Mike McDade.

“Yan has always been a great player, but he didn't have a chance to play full-time and earn that starting job,” Fisher Cats catcher Brian Jeroloman said. “He really opened some eyes at spring training this year, and I couldn't be happier for him.”

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FARM REPORT: Kennett High of Conway graduate Jeff Locke threw seven strong innings for Triple-A Indianapolis (Pirates) but took the loss against Lehigh Valley last week. Locke (3-3, 3.02 ERA) ranks among league leaders with 47 2/3 innings pitched. ... Triple–A Charlotte starter Terry Doyle of Salem High worked seven superb innings at Norfolk to earn his second win of the season. The White Sox farmhand owns a 2-3 record and 3.66 ERA. Who will get called up the majors first, Locke or Doyle?

Kevin Nolan = hit machine. The Nashua South product leads the Dunedin Blue Jays with 53 hits and .323 average. ... Fellow Nashua native Brad Zapenas has been hot at the plate, batting .323 in a 10-game stretch for the Class A Peoria Chiefs (Cubs).

Staff writer Kevin Gray covers pro baseball for the New Hampshire Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News. His email address is kgray@unionleader.com.