Red Sox OF prospect Skylar King hits for cycle in hometown

Red Sox outfield prospect Skylar King hit for the cycle in Low-A Salem’s 14-5 win over Columbia on Tuesday night.

King, a Columbia native, batted leadoff for the RidgeYaks in Tuesday’s series opener against the Fireflies at Segra Park, located less than five miles from where he went to high school (Brookland-Cayce). The 22-year-old made an immediate impact, crushing a home run on the second pitch of the game for his 10th homer of the season.

After tripling in the second inning, grounding out in the fourth, and doubling in the fifth, King led off the top of the eighth, needing only a base hit to complete the cycle. He did just that, shooting a line drive into left field for a single on the first pitch he saw from Fireflies reliever Henson Leal.

King struck out in his final plate appearance, but it did little to overshadow an otherwise memorable night in his hometown. The left-handed hitter finished 4-for-6 with three RBIs, two runs scored, and the first cycle by a Salem player in 21 years, according to the team.

Following Tuesday’s performance, King is batting .378/.417/.733 with three home runs and nine RBIs in his last 11 games (48 plate appearances) dating back to June 23. Overall, he is slashing .231/.321/.409 (92 wRC+) with 11 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, 34 RBIs, 40 runs scored, 25 stolen bases, 28 walks, and 52 strikeouts through 66 games (278 plate appearances) for Salem this season. That includes a .185/.274/.370 line against lefties and a more solid .245/.335/.420 line against righties.

Among 65 qualified hitters in the Carolina League entering play Wednesday, King notably ranks sixth in pull rate (51.6%), 13th in isolated power (.178), 14th in strikeout rate (18.7%), 21st in slugging percentage, 23rd in wSB (0.7), 25th in swinging-strike rate (11.3%), and 26th in speed score (6.8), per FanGraphs.

Defensively, King has seen playing time at all three outfield positions for Salem this season. The athletic 6-foot-1, 180-pounder has made 29 starts in right field, 26 starts in center field, and eight starts in left field, committing six errors and recording four assists in 138 total chances between the three spots. He has also made two starts at DH.

King was Boston’s 15th-round selection in the 2025 draft out of West Virginia. As the 448th overall pick, the former Mountaineer received an at-slot $150,000 signing bonus before making his professional debut for Salem last August. He is not currently ranked among the organization’s top 60 prospects by SoxProspects.com, which describes him as having “a solid floor with his speed and defensive ability, but upside will be determined by how his bat develops.”

Given how he has fared at Low-A in recent weeks, it would not be surprising to see King — who does not turn 23 until November — earn a promotion to High-A Greenville at some point during the second half of the season. In the meantime, he will look to keep it rolling with Salem.

(Picture of Skylar King: John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Red Sox promote pitching prospect Hayden Mullins to Triple-A Worcester

The Red Sox have promoted pitching prospect Hayden Mullins from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester, as was first reported by Tommy Cassell of The Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

Mullins was slated to start Worcester’s series opener against Rochester at Polar Park on Tuesday, but it was postponed due to inclement weather. The 25-year-old left-hander will now presumably get the starting nod and make his Triple-A debut in either Game 1 or 2 of Wednesday’s scheduled doubleheader.

Mullins is reaching the minors’ highest level for the first time following an up-and-down start to his season with Portland. In 12 outings (11 starts) for the Sea Dogs out of the gate, the southpaw posted a 5.85 ERA with 73 strikeouts to 31 walks over 47 2/3 innings in which Eastern League opponents batted .215 against him. That includes a .182 mark against left-handed hitters and a .236 mark against right-handed hitters.

Among 49 pitchers who entered play Tuesday having thrown at least 45 innings in the Eastern League this year, Mullins ranked first in strikeouts per nine (13.78), second in strikeout rate (34.8%), fourth in swinging-strike rate (15.7%), sixth in batting average against, 16th in FIP (4.16), and 17th in xFIP (4.13). On the flip side, he also ranked 28th in WHIP (1.43), 40th in ERA, and 46th in walks per nine (5.85) and walk rate (14.8%), according to FanGraphs.

Mullins is currently ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 21 prospect, placing 12th among the system’s pitchers. The Tennessee native was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 12th round (369th overall) of the 2022 draft out of Auburn. He signed for just $97,500 but did not make his professional debut until the following August, as he was recovering from the Tommy John surgery that cut his junior season short.

After splitting the remainder of the 2023 campaign between the Florida Complex League and Low-A Salem, Mullins spent all of 2024 and the first part of 2025 with High-A Greenville before arriving at Portland last April. He fared well in his first stint with the Sea Dogs despite missing time in May due to shoulder fatigue, forging a 2.44 ERA across 18 starts (84 2/3 innings) en route to being recognized as the team’s Pitcher of the Year.

Even in light of that production, Mullins was somewhat surprisingly left off the Red Sox’ 40-man roster last November, leaving him available to other clubs in December’s Rule 5 Draft. He did not get picked, however, and remains in the organization without occupying a 40-man spot.

Listed at 6-foot and 194 pounds, Mullins possesses plus extension and features a 93-94 mph fastball that is capable of reaching 96 mph. The lefty also mixes in an 81-85 mph slider, a 77-80 mph sweeper, an 81-83 mph changeup, and a recently-implemented cutter. His secondaries are considered by Baseball America to be “inconsistent,” even though they “can all miss bats.”

Mullins, who turns 26 in September, can once again become Rule 5-eligible this winter if he is not added to Boston’s 40-man roster by the November protection deadline. Barring a trade or another move between now and then, he can further strengthen his case for a roster spot with a strong showing down the stretch at Worcester.

(Picture of Hayden Mullins: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox prospect Blake Wehunt earns second consecutive Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honor

Red Sox pitching prospect Blake Wehunt has once again been named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

Wehunt, who took home the honor last week, turned in another award-winning performance for Double-A Portland on Sunday afternoon. Despite issuing four walks and hitting one batter in his start against Altoona, the 25-year-old right-hander struck out nine and allowed just one hit over five scoreless innings at Hadlock Field.

Finishing with 89 pitches (47 strikes), Wehunt generated 11 whiffs and topped out at 96.2 mph with his fastball. He also earned the win as the Sea Dogs blanked the Curve, 10-0, behind four additional scoreless, one-hit frames of relief from fellow righty Jedixson Paez, who fanned eight to record his first professional save.

Following Sunday’s outing, Wehunt is now 4-4 with a 3.38 ERA and a 66-to-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio through 12 starts (48 innings) for Portland this season. After missing time in April with a left hamstring strain, he has limited Eastern League opponents to a .230 batting average. That includes a .267 clip against left-handed hitters and a .196 clip against right-handed hitters.

Among the 49 pitchers who have thrown at least 45 innings in the Eastern League this year, Wehunt ranks third in strikeouts per nine (12.38), strikeout rate (33.7%), and xFIP (3.37), sixth in WHIP (1.19), seventh in ERA, eighth in FIP (3.59), 10th in batting average against, 15th in walks per nine (3.00), 16th in groundball rate (45.5%), and 17th in walk rate (8.2%), according to FanGraphs.

Wehunt is regarded by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 22 prospect, ranking 13th among the system’s pitchers. The Georgia-born chicken farmer was originally selected by the Red Sox in the ninth round (268th overall) of the 2023 draft out of Kennesaw State. He signed for just $100,000 that July and quickly climbed the organizational ladder during his first full professional season in 2024 before a lat strain limited him to 63 1/3 innings with Portland last year.

In addition to a mid-90s fastball that can reach 97 mph, the 6-foot-7, 240-pound Wehunt features a wide-ranging group of secondary offerings, including an 89-91 mph cutter, an 83-86 mph sweeper, and an 85-87 mph splitter. His other secondaries are considered by Baseball America to be “more change-of-pace pitches that can be effective in sequence.”

Wehunt, who turns 26 in November, is the first player in Portland franchise history to earn Eastern League Player/Pitcher of the Week honors in consecutive weeks. Given his recent success — along with the fact that he will become Rule 5-eligible after the season if he is not added to Boston’s 40-man roster — a promotion to Triple-A Worcester would appear to be a logical next step in his development.

(Picture of Blake Wehunt courtesy of the Portland Sea Dogs)

Red Sox sign well-traveled righty Sam McWilliams to minor league contract

The Red Sox have signed free agent right-hander Sam McWilliams to a minor league contract, per the club’s MLB.com transactions log.

McWilliams has been assigned to Triple-A Worcester. The 30-year-old righty is returning to affiliated ball after spending parts of the past two seasons with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. In 27 relief appearances for the Toros to begin the 2026 campaign, he posted a 3.04 ERA with 42 strikeouts to 12 walks over 26 2/3 innings before being released Wednesday to pursue this opportunity.

McWilliams is a former eighth-round draft pick of the Phillies out of Beech High School (Hendersonville, Tenn.) in 2014. The Florida native was traded to the Diamondbacks for Jeremy Hellickson in November 2015. He was then dealt to the Rays alongside Colin Poche in May 2018 to complete Arizona’s acquisition of Steven Souza Jr.

After being left off Tampa Bay’s 40-man roster at the end of the 2018 season, McWilliams was plucked by the Royals with the second overall pick in that December’s Rule 5 Draft. He failed to make Kansas City’s 2019 Opening Day roster, however, and was subsequently returned to the Rays, where he remained through 2020 before reaching free agency.

Not long after hitting the open market, McWilliams inked a major league contract with the Mets in November 2020. He opened the 2021 season with New York’s Triple-A affiliate before being designated for assignment and claimed off waivers by the Padres that June. San Diego then managed to sneak him through waivers and outright him to the minor leagues, allowing him to become a free agent again at the end of the year.

McWilliams landed a minor league contract with the Reds in March 2022 but was released three months later to work as a sales representative for Blast Athletics, a sports fundraising application. He returned to pitch for the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican Pacific League following the 2023 season, then signed a minors pact with the Cubs in January 2024. Seven months later, Chicago released him. He briefly caught on with the Brewers before they cut him loose in July 2025, prompting him to join the Toros de Tijuana.

All told, the well-traveled McWilliams has spent time with the Phillies, Diamondbacks, Rays, Royals, Mets, Padres, Reds, Cubs, and Brewers organizations without ever having pitched in the big leagues. In 89 career appearances (13 starts) across four seasons at the Triple-A level, he owns a 7.76 ERA with 197 strikeouts to 110 walks over 157 2/3 total innings.

This season in Mexico, McWilliams has reached 99 mph with his whiff-inducing upper-90s fastball. The 6-foot-7, 230-pound hurler features a sinker, slider, and curveball, and has added a cutter and sweeper to his arsenal, according to Chris Langin of Unfiltered Labs.

McWilliams, who turns 31 in September, is slated to join the WooSox for the remainder of their series in Syracuse this weekend, giving them another experienced option in the bullpen.

(Picture of Sam McWilliams: Matt Dirksen/Getty Images)

Top prospects Franklin Arias, Anthony Eyanson to represent Red Sox at All-Star Futures Game

Top Red Sox prospects Franklin Arias and Anthony Eyanson have been selected to represent the organization at the 2026 All-Star Futures Game in Philadelphia later this month, Major League Baseball announced on Wednesday.

As part of All-Star Week festivities, Arias and Eyanson will suit up for the American League in the annual prospect showcase at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, July 12. The seven-inning exhibition, which will air exclusively on NBC, is scheduled to begin at noon ET.

Arias, a 20-year-old infielder, and Eyanson, a 21-year-old right-hander, are currently ranked by Baseball America as the top two prospects in Boston’s farm system and the Nos. 3 and 33 prospects in baseball, respectively. Both have had exceptional seasons to this point and are being rewarded with Futures Game nods.

Arias clubbed his organizational-leading 17th home run of the season for Double-A Portland on Wednesday. In 65 games for the Sea Dogs this year, the right-handed hitter is batting a robust .329/.414/.606 with 15 doubles, one triple, a career-high 17 homers, 44 RBIs, 43 runs scored, five stolen bases, 31 walks, and 36 strikeouts over 285 plate appearances. He is slashing .299/.405/.567 against lefties and .341/.417/.620 against righties.

Defensively, Arias has seen most of his playing time with Portland this season come at shortstop, where he has committed just three errors in 182 chances across 48 starts. The sure-handed 5-foot-11, 180-pounder has also made two error-free starts at second base and 10 starts at DH.

A native of Venezuela, Arias originally signed with the Red Sox for $525,000 as an international free agent in January 2023. Known more for his glove at the time of his signing, he quickly turned heads with his bat in the rookie-level Dominican Summer and Florida Complex Leagues, earning MVP honors in the latter as part of an electric 2024 stateside debut. He followed that up by climbing from Low-A to High-A, and then from High-A to Double-A as a 19-year-old in 2025.

Eyanson, meanwhile, is in his first full professional season after being selected by the Red Sox with the 87th overall pick in last summer’s draft out of Louisiana State. The California native received an above-slot $1.75 million signing bonus but did not pitch for an affiliate immediately after putting pen to paper. He instead debuted at High-A Greenville this April following a standout spring training in Fort Myers.

In five starts for Greenville out of the gate, Eyanson pitched to a 0.44 ERA with 34 strikeouts to three walks over 20 1/3 innings in which opponents batted just .104 against him. The righty was recognized as the South Atlantic League Pitcher of the month for April and received a promotion to Portland in early May. He has since forged a 1.48 ERA with 30 strikeouts to 16 walks across seven starts (30 1/3 innings) for the Sea Dogs.

Overall, Eyanson is 2-0 with a 1.07 ERA and a 64:19 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 12 starts (50 2/3 innings) between Greenville and Portland this season. Opposing hitters are batting .149 against the 6-foot-2, 208-pound hurler, who features an upper-90s fastball that has touched triple digits as well as a slider, curveball, and changeup.

 (Picture of Franklin Arias: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Which prospect did Red Sox trade to Athletics for infielder Brett Harris?

The Red Sox swung a trade with the Athletics on Wednesday morning, acquiring infielder Brett Harris in exchange for minor league right-hander Ben Hansen, per a club announcement.

To make room for Harris, who was designated for assignment by the Athletics on Saturday, on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox designated veteran reliever Tommy Kahnle for assignment. Harris has since been optioned to Triple-A Worcester.

Hansen, like Harris, switches organizations for the first time in his professional career with this trade. The 24-year-old righty was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 20th round (597th overall) of the 2024 draft out of Brigham Young. He signed for $50,000 and made his pro debut last April.

After spending all of 2025 at Low-A Salem, where he posted a 6.23 ERA (4.56 FIP) over 60 2/3 innings, Hansen opened the 2026 season with High-A Greenville. In 13 appearances (two starts) for the Drive, Hansen forged a 4.75 ERA (3.93 FIP) with 52 strikeouts to 14 walks across 41 2/3 innings in which opponents batted .248 against him.

Among 58 pitchers who have thrown at least 40 innings in the South Atlantic League this year, Hansen ranks third in xFIP (3.64), eighth in walk rate (7.6%), 10th in walks per nine (3.02), 11th in strikeouts per nine (11.23), 12th in groundball rate (49.1%), 13th in strikeout rate (28.3%), 14th in FIP, 18th in WHIP (1.32), and 27th in ERA, according to FanGraphs.

Hansen, who turned 24 in March, was not ranked among Boston’s top pitching prospects by SoxProspects.com. The outlet notes that the 6-foot-6, 210-pound California native “worked out at Tread Athletics during the offseason” and “reported to camp in 2026 with improved stuff, adding 1-2 mph of velocity to his fastball among other steps forward.”

Hansen becomes the fifth member of the Red Sox’ 2024 draft class to be traded, joining first-rounder Braden Montgomery, fourth-rounder Zach Ehrhard, fifth-rounder Brandon Clarke, and sixth-rounder Blake Aita. He has been assigned to the Athletics’ High-A affiliate in Lansing, Mich., where he will likely have the opportunity to earn a promotion to Double-A before the season ends.

(Picture of Ben Hansen: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox prospect Blake Wehunt named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week

Red Sox pitching prospect Blake Wehunt has been named the Eastern League Pitcher of the week for the week of June 22-28, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

Wehunt dazzled for Double-A Portland in Sunday’s series finale against Hartford on the road. Pitching for the first time in 12 days, the 25-year-old right-hander allowed just one hit and no walks while striking out eight over six scoreless innings at Dunkin’ Park. He retired 18 of the 19 batters he faced on 71 pitches (50 strikes), generating seven whiffs and topping out at 95.5 mph with his fastball as the Sea Dogs blanked the Yard Goats, 6-0.

Following a rough 2026 debut in which he was tagged for three runs in one-third of an inning, Wehunt went on the 7-day injured list with a left hamstring strain on April 4. Since returning to the mound on April 22, the righty has forged a 3.16 ERA with 57 strikeouts to 11 walks over his last 10 starts (42 2/3 innings) for Portland.

Altogether, Wehunt owns a 3.77 ERA with 57 strikeouts to 12 walks through 11 starts (43 innings) for the Sea Dogs this season. He has held opponents to a .245/.301/.387 clip. That consists of a .295/.368/.436 line against left-handed hitters and a .200/.236/.341 line against right-handed hitters.

Among the 55 pitchers who have thrown at least 40 innings in the Eastern League this year, Wehunt ranks fourth in strikeouts per nine (11.93), strikeout rate (32.4%), and xFIP (3.27), 10th in FIP (3.65), walks per nine (2.51) and WHIP (1.21), 11th in walk rate (6.8%), 13th in ERA, and 20th in groundball rate (45.2%), according to FanGraphs.

A Georgia native who grew up working on his family’s chicken farm, Wehunt was originally selected by the Red Sox in the ninth round (268th overall) of the 2023 draft out of Kennesaw State. He received a below-slot $100,000 signing bonus and made his professional debut that August before moving up from Low-A to High-A to Double-A as part of a strong 2024 campaign. Last season, he was tested and limited to just 63 1/3 innings with Portland due to a lat strain.

Wehunt is currently ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 26 prospect, placing 14th among pitchers in the organization. In addition to a mid-90s fastball that can reach 97 mph, the 6-foot-7, 240-pound hurler features an 89-91 mph cutter, an 83-86 mph sweeper, and an 85-87 mph splitter.

Given how he has fared with Portland as of late, it would not be surprising to see Wehunt — who turns 26 in November — earn a promotion to Triple-A Worcester in the near future. That possibility is worth noting since he can become Rule 5-eligible for the first time this winter if the Red Sox do not add him to their 40-man roster by the protection deadline.

(Picture of Blake Wehunt courtesy of the Portland Sea Dogs)

Red Sox prospects Dylan Brown, Antonio Anderson named South Atlantic League Pitcher and Player of the Week

Red Sox prospects Dylan Brown and Antonio Anderson have been named the South Atlantic League Pitcher and Player of the Week for the week of June 22-28, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

Brown put together a dominant start for High-A Greenville last Wednesday. Going up against Asheville at Fluor Field, the 22-year-old left-hander allowed just two hits and no walks while striking out a career-high of 11 over a career-high seven scoreless innings. He threw 75 pitches (53 strikes), topping out at 93.4 mph with his fastball and generating 19 whiffs as the Drive blanked the Tourists, 5-0.

In seven outings (six starts) since being promoted from Low-A Salem in early May, Brown has posted a 4.05 ERA with 49 strikeouts to 11 walks over 33 1/3 innings for Greenville. While opponents in the South Atlantic League are hitting .276 against him, that figure is inflated by a .442 batting average on balls in play.

Overall, Brown owns a 3.34 ERA with an organizational-leading 81 strikeouts to 24 walks through 12 outings (11 starts) spanning 56 2/3 innings between Salem and Greenville this season. The lefty has limited opposing hitters to a .238/.352/.331 clip. In a case of reverse splits, that includes a .299/.405/.373 line against left-handed hitters and a .210/.294/.259 line against right-handed hitters.

Brown, who just turned 22 on Saturday, was selected by the Red Sox in the eighth round (238th overall) of last summer’s draft out of Old Dominion. The Pennsylvania native received an at-slot $229,000 signing bonus but did not make his professional debut until this April. Since then, he has moved into Baseball America’s top 30 Red Sox prospects list and is now ranked as the organization’s No. 28 prospect.

Standing at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Brown operates with a wide-ranging pitch mix that includes a 91-94 mph two- and four-seam fastball combination that can reach 95 mph, an 88-89 mph cutter, an 81-85 mph slider, and an 82-84 mph changeup.

Anderson, meanwhile, put together a strong series at the plate for Greenville. Appearing in all six games against Asheville, the switch-hitting 21-year-old went 11-for-22 (.500) with two doubles, three home runs, six RBIs, five runs scored, two walks, and four strikeouts. He homered in three straight games (June 25-27), finished a triple shy of the cycle on Saturday, and saw a seven-game hitting streak come to an end on Sunday, though he still scored a run.

After a slow start, Anderson has picked things up in recent weeks. Since June 1, for instance, he is slashing a stout .350/.422/.650 over his last 11 games (45 plate appearances). Altogether, he is batting .236/.342/.390 with five doubles, one triple, four home runs, 18 RBIs, 20 runs scored, one stolen base, 19 walks, and 35 strikeouts through 37 games (146 plate appearances) for Greenville this season. That includes a .200/.286/.400 line against lefties and a .245/.356/.388 line against righties.

Defensively, Anderson has seen most of his playing time this year come at first base, where he has committed four errors in 207 chances across 26 starts. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder has also made eight starts at shortstop (where he has committed four additional errors) and one start at DH. He has prior experience at shortstop, though he has not logged any innings there since 2024.

Anderson, who just turned 21 on Sunday, was selected by the Red Sox in the third round (83rd overall) of the 2023 draft out of North Atlanta High School. He forwent his commitment to Georgia Tech and went pro by signing with Boston for an over-slot $1.5 million. Coming into 2024, he was ranked by Baseball America as the organization’s No. 22 prospect. Since then, however, he has dropped out of the rankings entirely, having become something of a forgotten prospect before this recent stretch.

Brown and Anderson are the first Red Sox prospects to earn South Atlantic League Pitcher or Player of the Week honors for Greenville this season, with each taking home their first career minor league award as well.

(Picture of Dylan Brown: Gwinn Davis/Greenville Drive)

Red Sox prospect Josue Brito named FCL Player of the Week

Red Sox first base/outfield prospect Josue Brito has been named the Florida Complex League Player of the Week for the week of June 22-28, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

Brito appeared in five games for the rookie-level FCL Red Sox last week, going 9-for-18 (.500) at the plate with two doubles, two home runs, four RBIs, seven runs scored, three stolen bases, three walks, and four strikeouts. Both homers came in Thursday’s 10-8 loss to the FCL Orioles at JetBlue Park, leaving his bat at 103.4 and 105.4 mph, respectively.

Through 32 games in the Florida Complex League this season, his first in the United States, Brito is batting a stout .303/.450/.606 with 10 doubles, one triple, six home runs, 31 RBIs, 24 runs scored, eight stolen bases, 23 walks, and 27 strikeouts over 131 plate appearances. The right-handed hitting 19-year-old has posted a .389/.478/.611 line against lefties and a .284/.444/.605 line against righties so far.

Among 78 qualified FCL hitters, Brito ranks third in OPS (1.056), fourth in isolated power (.303), slugging percentage, eighth in on-base percentage, 14th in batting average, 19th in walk rate (17.6%), and 24th in strikeout rate (20.6%), according to MiLB.com’s statistical leaderboards.

Defensively, Brito has seen most of his playing time this season come in right field, where he has committed two errors and recorded five assists in 33 chances over 21 starts. The 6-foot, 225-pounder has also made three error-free starts in left field and at first base, along with five starts at DH.

A native of Venezuela, Brito originally signed with the Red Sox for $20,000 as an international free agent in January 2024. He made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League shortly thereafter before repeating the level last season, slashing .284/.487/.606 with nine home runs and 31 RBIs en route to being named the organization’s Latin Program Position Player of the Year.

Brito, who turned 19 in April, entered 2026 ranked outside Baseball America’s top 30 Red Sox prospects list at No. 40. The outlet noted that Brito’s “underlying data and performance in 2025 was quite good,” citing his standout exit velocities and hit tool data as reasons why.

With Monday’s recognition, Brito becomes the third Red Sox prospect to earn FCL Player of the Week honors this season, joining catcher Franklin Primera and infielder Louis Andujar. Both Primera and Andujar have since received promotions to Low-A Salem, and it would not be surprising to see Brito follow suit before long.

(Picture of Josue Brito: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox to promote catching prospect Franklin Primera to Low-A Salem

The Red Sox are promoting teenage catching prospect Franklin Primera from the Florida Complex League to Low-A Salem, as was first reported by Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects.com.

Primera, who turned 19 earlier this month, lit up the Florida Complex League to begin his first season stateside. The right-handed hitter batted .427/.549/.718 with six doubles, eight home runs, 29 RBIs, 30 runs scored, four stolen bases, 22 walks, and 13 strikeouts in 32 games (134 plate appearances) for the rookie-level FCL Red Sox. He slashed .250/.478/.250 in 24 plate appearances against lefties and .460/.564/.805 in 110 plate appearances against righties.

Among 73 qualified hitters in the FCL entering play this week, Primera leads in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS (1.267), wOBA (.571), and wRC+ (202). He also ranks second in strikeout rate (9.7%), sixth in isolated power (.291), seventh in swinging-strike rate (7.6%), and 24th in walk rate (16.4%), according to FanGraphs.

Defensively, Primera saw most of his playing time in the FCL at catcher. Primarily splitting reps with Jorge Rodriguez, the 6-foot, 230-pound backstop allowed five passed balls and threw out 17 of 101 would-be base stealers in 23 starts behind the plate. He also made eight starts at first base, marking his first exposure there as a professional, and one start at DH.

A native of Venezuela, Primera originally signed with the Red Sox for just $10,000 as an unheralded international free agent in September 2024. He made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League the following June, emerging as a 2025 DSL All-Star and All-Star Game Co-MVP after hitting a crucial home run for his first (unofficial) round-tripper as a pro.

Thanks to his hot start out of the gate in 2026, Primera is now ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s top catching prospect and No. 19 overall prospect. Evaluators have been impressed by his approach at the plate, his ability to impact the baseball, and his defensive capabilities.

As he prepares for his first taste of full-season ball, Primera is slated to join a Salem catching group that currently includes the likes of Kleyver Salazar, Andonys Guzman, and Andruw Musett. The RidgeYaks are on the road for the next two weeks and open a six-game series against the Augusta GreenJackets on Tuesday.

(Picture of Franklin Primera: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)