MANCHESTER -- NEEDING a scouting report on Anthony Ranaudo, the top pitching prospect in Boston’s farm system, the Fisher Cats had the luxury of consulting with their own teammate prior to Monday’s game against the Sea Dogs.

Catcher Sean Ochinko played with Ranaudo at Louisiana State — teaming up to win the 2009 national title — and the good friends crossed paths for the first time in the pros at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

The 6-foot-7 Portland starter stood tree-like on the mound before rocking back into his windup and striding toward home plate with great extension. The arm action and leg kick have inspired comparisons to Justin Verlander, which isn’t a bad thing for a 22-year-old coming through the minors.

“Hopefully he takes it easy on us tonight,” Ochinko said. “It’s pretty awesome that we meet somewhere like this, especially in Double-A. Not many guys even reach this level. (Ranaudo) was my close friend for three years. It’s funny. He texted me before. We’ll probably hang out after the game. I’m very happy for him.”

Ranaudo, who signed for $2.55 million out of LSU, made his second Double-A start on a save-your-program kind of night before 5,481 fans. Brett Cecil, a 15-game winner for the Blue Jays in 2010, took the mound for New Hampshire. Cecil, 25, showed the young Sea Dog how it’s done, working 5 2/3 innings without allowing a hit. He threw 86 pitches.

Meanwhile, Ranaudo struggled with control, elevating many of his pitches and allowing five earned runs through 4 2/3 innings. He issued five walks and allowed three hits before Portland manager Kevin Boles called for righty Chris Martin in the fifth.

It didn’t take a pro scout to realize it wouldn’t be Ranaudo’s night. In the fourth, he buzzed Brian Bocock with a chin-high 90-mph fastball and eventually walked the Fisher Cats rookie. Bocock, Ryan Goins and Brian Van Kirk each stole second base on Ranaudo, who could use some work on controlling the running game.

Fear not, Red Sox fans. The big-name pitcher still has a “high ceiling,” as they say in the business.

“He’s a strong guy with a firm fastball. Back then (at LSU), he was like 95, 96 and sometimes he’d hit 97. Then he’d come at you with a 12-to-6 breaking ball that he commanded very well. It was almost untouchable stuff,” Ochinko said.

The big righty began the season at extended spring training after suffering a mild groin strain in his final spring start.

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PROSPECT WATCH: Fans got a look at power-hitting Sea Dogs right fielder Bryce Brentz, who entered the series on a 16-for-32 tear at the plate. Last week, he became the 11th player in Portland history with five hits in a game.

A supplemental first-round pick in 2010, Brentz took his lumps for the low-A Lowell Spinners (.198 average) while adjusting to the pro game.

“There is always room to grow. At spring training, I was talking to Big Papi (David Ortiz), and he was telling me that he’s still learning stuff every day,” Brentz said. “At this level, it’s a lot about knowing hitting situations and the scoreboard.”

In high school, Brentz was drafted in the 30th round (as a pitcher) by the Indians. The 23-year-old made the right choice and didn’t sign a pro contract until three years later at Middle Tennesee State.

“The only reason I didn’t go (to the Indians) was because I thought, ‘Man, I’m starting to figure out this whole hitting thing,’” he said. “My first year in Lowell was terrible, but it taught me a lot.”

Thoughts on his approach to hitting and power? “I just try to stay up the middle. Try to stay with our plan and keep everything on an even keel,” he said. “I know this sounds good on paper but swing hard in case you hit it.”

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GAME DAY: Tonight Fisher Cats righty Deck McGuire (2-5, 6.75 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound, opposed by Portland lefty Chris Hernandez (2-3, 2.64 ERA). Game time is 7:05.

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.