On July 14, the Red Sox acquired outfielder Jahmai Jones from the Tigers in exchange for a player to be named later.
That trade was officially completed on Saturday, as Boston sent pitching prospect Jojo Ingrassia to Detroit as the player to be named later, per announcements from both clubs.
Ingrassia was ranked by MLB Pipeline as Boston’s No. 30 prospect. The 24-year-old left-hander had spent all of this season at High-A Greenville, posting a 3.27 ERA with 59 strikeouts to 22 walks over 13 appearances (11 starts) and 44 innings. Opposing hitters batted .195 against him.
Among 86 pitchers who entered play Saturday having thrown at least 40 innings in the South Atlantic League this year, Ingrassia ranked third in swinging-strike rate (17.6%), seventh in xFIP (3.85), eighth in batting average against, FIP (3.45), and strikeout rate (33%), and 10th in ERA, strikeouts per nine, and WHIP (1.18), according to FanGraphs.
Ingrassia was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 14th round (418th overall) of the 2023 draft out of Cal State Fullerton. He received a $150,000 signing bonus and made his professional debut with Low-A Salem the following April, ultimately earning 2024 Carolina League Post-Season All-Star honors after forging a 1.85 ERA with 93 strikeouts to 20 walks over 58 1/3 innings.
Ingrassia made the jump to Greenville in 2025 but was limited to just four appearances (17 innings) before being shut down with shoulder soreness. He made up for lost time in the Arizona Fall League, though he struggled to a 9.00 ERA with 13 strikeouts to nine walks over 10 innings for the Salt River Rafters.
Overall, Ingrassia owns a 2.56 ERA with 173 strikeouts to 46 walks across 38 career outings (23 starts) and 119 1/3 innings in the minors. In addition to missing time with shoulder soreness last season, he was sidelined for most of May with a left elbow strain. He has been hindered by rotator cuff issues in the past as well.
When healthy, though, Ingrassia has proven to be rather effective. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound southpaw features a deceptive delivery, allowing him to fool hitters regularly. He primarily operates with a 92-94 mph fastball that tops out at 95 mph, a mid-80s changeup, and a low-80s slider.
Ingrassia, who just turned 24 on July 24, will report to the Tigers’ High-A affiliate in West Michigan. From there, he will likely be aiming for a promotion to Double-A Erie. He can become Rule 5-eligible for the first time this winter if he is not added to Detroit’s 40-man roster after the season ends.
(Picture of Jojo Ingrassia: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)