Red Sox’ Patrick Halligan named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week

Red Sox minor leaguer Patrick Halligan has been named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for the week of May 11-17, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

Halligan made two scoreless and hitless appearances (one start) in Double-A Portland’s series on the road against Hartford this past week. On Wednesday, the 26-year-old right-hander earned the win out of the bullpen after firing two shutout, no-hit innings of relief. He issued one walk, recorded two strikeouts, and threw 25 pitches (15 strikes), generating five whiffs.

Three days later, Halligan started for Portland in place of fellow righty Jedixson Paez, who was scratched due to a sore hip. He responded by retiring all 12 batters he faced over four perfect innings in which he fanned four. This time around, Halligan threw 45 pitches (33 strikes) and induced nine swings-and-misses.

Following his award-winning week, Halligan is now 1-0 with a 5.70 ERA (5.08 FIP) and a 34:11 strikeout-to-walk ratio through 11 outings (two starts) spanning 23 2/3 innings for Portland this season. Opponents are batting .258 against him overall, though he has proven far more effective against left-handed hitters (.179) than right-handed hitters (.315) thus far.

Among 69 pitchers in the Eastern League who have thrown at least 20 innings to this point in the year, Halligan notably ranks fifth in strikeouts per nine innings (12.93), sixth in strikeout rate (32.4%), 12th in swinging-strike rate (14.7 percent), and 17th in xFIP (3.95), per FanGraphs.

Originally selected in the 13th round (391st overall) of the 2021 draft out of Pensacola State College, Halligan spent time in the Royals, Braves, and Astros organizations before joining the Red Sox as a minor league free agent in January following a strong showing in the Puerto Rican and Dominican Winter Leagues. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound hurler features a low-90s fastball that can reach 92-93 mph as well as a splitter, slider, and curveball.

Halligan, who does not turn 27 until October, is not currently ranked among Boston’s top pitching prospects by SoxProspects.com. The outlet describes him as a potential “emergency up-and-down bullpen arm if he throws strikes on a more consistent basis.”

With prior experience at the minors’ top level, it would not be surprising to see Halligan get an opportunity at Triple-A Worcester before long if he continues throwing the ball the way he has as of late for Portland.

(Picture of Patrick Halligan: Michael Owens/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Red Sox catching prospect Luke Heyman off to strong start with Low-A Salem

Six weeks into his first full professional season, it appears as though Red Sox catching prospect Luke Heyman may be ready for a new challenge.

Heyman, whom the Red Sox acquired from the Mariners for reliever Alex Hoppe in November, has been on an offensive tear as of late for Low-A Salem. In five games at home against Delmarva last week, for instance, the right-handed hitting 22-year-old went 7-for-16 (.438) with one double, three home runs, seven RBIs, five runs scored, six walks, and three strikeouts.

Following a slow start, Heyman is now slashing .244/.395/.489 with four doubles, six home runs, 18 RBIs, 15 runs scored, 22 walks, and 25 strikeouts through 26 games (114 plate appearances) for Salem this season. That includes a .254/.386/.522 line in 83 plate appearances against righties and a .217/.419/.391 line in 31 plate appearances against lefties.

Among 82 qualified hitters in the Carolina League, Heyman ranks eighth in isolated power (.244), ninth in walk rate (19.3%), 17th in slugging percentage, 18th in OPS (.884) and wOBA (.409), 20th in wRC+ (133), 24th in on-base percentage, 27th in strikeout rate (21.9%), and 31st in swinging-strike rate (11%), per FanGraphs.

Defensively, Heyman has unsurprisingly seen the lion’s share of his playing time this year come at catcher. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound backstop has logged a team-leading 150 innings behind the plate for Salem so far, allowing four passed balls while throwing out 12 of 41 would-be base stealers. He has also made nine starts at DH and has prior collegiate experience at first base.

Heyman was selected by the Mariners in the 14th round of the 2025 draft out of Florida, where he earned First Team All-SEC honors despite suffering a fractured forearm in May that cut his junior season short. The former Gator received a $230,000 signing bonus — well above the $150,000 slot value for the 422nd overall pick — but did not appear in a game for a Seattle affiliate while rehabbing before being traded to the Red Sox in November.

Heyman, who turns 23 in July, entered the 2026 season ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 28 prospect. Given how he has performed with Salem in recent weeks, one would think a move up the rankings — as well as a promotion to High-A Greenville — could soon be in the works.

(Picture of Luke Heyman: Samuel Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Red Sox’ Brooks Brannon named Eastern League Player of the Week

Red Sox power-hitting prospect Brooks Brannon has been named the Eastern League Player of the Week for the week of May 4-10, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

Appearing in four of Double-A Portland’s five games against New Hampshire, Brannon enjoyed a productive, albeit rain-soaked week at Hadlock Field. The right-handed hitter went 9-for-15 (.600) with two doubles, one triple, three home runs, 11 RBIs, three runs scored, one walk, and two strikeouts.

After going hitless in Tuesday’s series opener and losing Wednesday’s contest to rain, Brannon tripled as part of a two-hit effort in Game 1 of Thursday’s doubleheader. He then homered twice and drove in a career-high six runs on Friday. Following another rainout on Saturday, Brannon capped his week by going 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles, a home run, and five RBIs in Sunday’s series finale, with his mom in attendance for Mother’s Day.

Due to a broken left hamate bone that required surgery during spring training, Brannon was sidelined for the first three weeks of the 2026 season. Since returning to action for Portland on April 22, however, the 22-year-old is slashing .359/.469/.897 with four doubles, one triple, five home runs, 16 RBIs, seven runs scored, one stolen base, nine walks, and 12 strikeouts through 12 games (49 plate appearances). That includes a .444/.500/1.000 in 10 plate appearances against lefties and a .333/.462/.867 line in 39 plate appearances against righties.

Among 145 Eastern League hitters who have made at least 40 trips to the plate this year, Brannon ranks first in slugging percentage, OPS (1.366), isolated power (.538), wOBA (.547), and wRC+ (224), third in batting average, fourth in on-base percentage, eighth in line-drive rate (35.7%), 13th in walk rate (18.4%), and 29th in swinging-strike rate (9.6%), per FanGraphs.

Defensively, Brannon has played almost exclusively at first base this season. The 5-foot-11, 210-pounder has started 10 games there for Portland, logging 83 1/3 innings while committing just one error in 68 chances. He has also made two starts at DH and brings plenty of experience behind the plate, though he appears to trail Nate Baez, Ronald Rosario, and Johanfran Garcia on the Sea Dogs’ catching depth chart.

Brannon, who just turned 22 earlier this month, was originally selected by the Red Sox in the ninth round (279th overall) of the 2022 draft out of Randleman (N.C.) High School. He forwent his commitment to North Carolina by signing for an over-slot $712,500, but has struggled to stay on the field consistently since entering the professional ranks.

Brannon entered 2026 ranked as Boston’s No. 53 prospect by SoxProspects.com, which notes that he “needs to make more contact and chase less in order to allow his power to play to its potential.” If he can continue to build off this strong start with Portland, it would not be surprising to see him earn a promotion to Triple-A Worcester in the not-so-distant future. Such a move would be noteworthy given that he can become Rule 5-eligible for the first time this winter if he is not added to the 40-man roster by the November protection deadline.

(Picture of Brooks Brannon: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Justin Gonzales could be next Red Sox prospect to crack Baseball America’s top 100

Four Red Sox prospects were included in Baseball America’s latest top 100 rankings. Justin Gonzales was not among them, but there is reason to believe that the 19-year-old outfielder is not too far behind.

Baseball America’s Josh Norris recently identified Gonzales as one of five “MLB prospects who could join the top 100 soon,” citing how the teenager’s “exit velocity numbers stack up with some of the best prospects in the minor leagues.” Norris also took note of the fact that Gonzales “would get even more out of his raw juice by getting more balls in the air and being a bit more disciplined on pitches out of the zone.”

In a separate piece, Baseball America’s Geoff Pontes wrote: “Gonzales does have some warts, however. For example, he’s chasing quite a bit and is still hitting the ball on the ground at a high rate. Neither of these concerns are enough to be overly worried, though. Taller players like Gonzales, who is listed at 6-foot-5, tend to have higher chase rates thanks to their ability to cover a larger part of the shadow zone around the plate.”

Gonzales, who entered 2026 ranked as Baseball America’s No. 7 Red Sox prospect, has enjoyed a productive start to the season with High-A Greenville as one of the youngest players at his level. Through 24 games for the Drive, the right-handed hitter is batting .290/.367/.505 with six doubles, one triple, five home runs, 19 RBIs, 21 runs scored, eight walks, and 21 strikeouts over 120 plate appearances. That includes a .300/.333/.500 line against lefties and a .287/.374/.506 line against righties.

As highlighted by both Norris and Pontes, Gonzales is putting up these numbers at the plate while consistently making hard contact. His 90th percentile exit velocity of 108.3 mph stands out in that regard, as does his hard-hit rate (batted balls with an exit velocity of 95 mph or higher) of 46.5%.

Among 97 qualified hitters in the South Atlantic League entering play Friday, Gonzales ranks 13th in strikeout rate (17.5%), 15th in line-drive rate (28.2%), 24th in batting average, 25th in slugging percentage, 26th in isolated power (.215), 27th in OPS (.872) and wOBA (.392), 31st in wRC+ (126), 41st in on-base percentage, and 44th in swinging-strike rate (11.9%), per FanGraphs.

Defensively, Gonzales has made 21 starts and logged 191 innings in right field for Greenville so far. Now standing at a whopping 6-foot-6 and 277 pounds, the gargantuan Gonzales has recorded two assists without committing an error in 34 chances. He has also made three starts at DH and has prior experience at first base, though he has not played there since his first professional season two years ago.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Gonzales signed with Boston for $250,000 as an international free agent in January 2024. After earning Dominican Summer League All-Star and Red Sox Minor League Latin Program Position Player of the Year honors in his pro debut, he advanced three levels in his first season stateside last year — from the rookie-level Florida Complex League to Low-A (where he was a 2025 Carolina League All-Star) to High-A.

Gonzales, who previously stated that he aspired to play like three-time MVP Aaron Judge, does not turn 20 until December. If he can continue to make the proper adjustments to his swing, establishing himself as a top 100 prospect (and perhaps receiving a promotion to Double-A Portland in the process) would be the first of many steps toward approaching Judge’s level.

(Picture of Justin Gonzales: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox pitching prospect Juan Valera undergoes Tommy John surgery

Red Sox pitching prospect Juan Valera underwent Tommy John surgery on Tuesday, according to senior director of player development Brian Abraham.

“Juan Valera underwent successful reconstruction of the right elbow ulnar collateral ligament yesterday,” Abraham told The Boston Globe on Wednesday. “The procedure was performed by Dr. Jeffrey R. Dugas at Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Ala.”

Valera, who turns 20 later this month, injured his pitching elbow in the second inning of his third start of the season for High-A Greenville on April 16. The young right-hander was in visible discomfort after delivering his 22nd pitch of the night. He crouched behind the mound and talked with his teammates and coaches before leaving the field with a trainer.

Initially, the injury was diagnosed as elbow inflammation. The Red Sox held off on imaging until the swelling subsided, then sent Valera for additional opinions last week. It appears the most recent MRI revealed the worst-case scenario, prompting the decision to have Valera go under the knife on Tuesday.

For Valera, Tuesday’s surgery marks the abrupt end to a 2026 season that got off to a promising start. In three starts for Greenville, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound righty allowed just two earned runs over 9 1/3 innings (1.93 ERA), striking out 17 and walking four while holding opposing hitters to a .125 batting average. He reached 101.7 mph with his upper-90s fastball on April 9 and also incorporated a slider, sweeper, and changeup into his pitch mix.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Valera originally signed with the Red Sox for $45,000 as an international free agent in April 2023. Following an uninspiring professional debut in the 2023 Dominican Summer League, he broke out in 2024 by earning Florida Complex League All-Star honors and reaching Low-A Salem. He broke camp with High-A Greenville as an 18-year-old last spring, but was limited to just 10 starts (38 innings) in 2025 due to elbow soreness.

Valera entered 2026 ranked by Baseball America as the No. 4 pitching prospect in Boston’s farm system, behind lefties Payton Tolle and Connelly Early and righty Kyson Witherspoon. He briefly cracked the outlet’s top 100 prospects list at No. 100 thanks to his hot start, but has since dropped out of the rankings.

In addition to missing the remainder of the 2026 season, Valera will likely be sidelined for much of 2027 as well. That timeline is noteworthy, as he is set to become Rule 5-eligible for the first time that winter.

(Picture of Juan Valera: Gwinn Davis/Greenville Drive)

Red Sox top prospect Franklin Arias named Eastern League Player of the Month for April

Top Red Sox prospect Franklin Arias has been named the Eastern League Player of the Month for April, Minor League Baseball announced on Tuesday.

Arias put together a monster April with Double-A Portland to open his 2026 season. In 20 games for the Sea Dogs, the 20-year-old infielder went 27-for-72 (.375) at the plate with four doubles, eight home runs, 20 RBIs, 15 runs scored, two stolen bases, five walks, and nine strikeouts. He homered six times in a seven-game stretch from April 14-23, then added a pair of clutch long balls on April 25 and 30.

Among qualified Eastern League hitters in April, Arias finished first in OPS (1.196), strikeout rate (11.1%), and total bases (55). He also ranked second in batting average, isolated power (.389), and slugging percentage (.764), third in home runs, fourth in hits, fifth in RBIs, eighth in extra-base hits (12), and 10th in on-base percentage (.432), per MiLB.com’s leaderboards.

Overall, the right-handed hitting Arias is slashing .346/.426/.704 with five doubles, eight home runs, 20 RBIs, 16 runs scored, two stolen bases, eight walks, and 10 strikeouts through 23 games (94 plate appearances) for Portland this season. That includes a .308/.333/.654 line against lefties and a .364/.463/.727 line against righties.

In addition to displaying more power after bulking up over the winter, Arias is playing sound defense at shortstop for the Sea Dogs. The sure-handed 5-foot-11, 180-pounder has made 17 starts at short thus far and has committed just one error in 65 chances. He has also made four appearances at DH and come off the bench as a pinch-hitter twice.

A native of Venezuela, Arias originally signed with the Red Sox for $525,000 as an international free agent in January 2023. He made his professional debut in the 2023 Dominican Summer League and had a solid showing there. Still, he did not truly burst onto the scene until arriving stateside in 2024, when he took home Florida Complex League MVP, Top Prospect, and All-Star honors. He followed that up by advancing from Low-A Salem to High-A Greenville to Portland as a teenager in 2025.

Arias, who will not turn 21 until November, entered 2026 ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 2 prospect (behind only left-hander Payton Tolle) and the No. 49 prospect in the sport. He has since moved up a whopping 33 spots to No. 16 on the outlet’s top 100, and it would be unsurprising to see him climb further given his eye-opening start to the season.

At the same time, speculation about a potential promotion to Triple-A Worcester has emerged for Arias, who previously stated that his goal for 2026 was to “make it to the big leagues.” A move to Triple-A would be a logical first step in that direction, though the Red Sox do not appear to be in a rush to make such a decision.

Arias was not the only Red Sox prospect to earn recognition on Tuesday, as right-hander Anthony Eyanson was named the South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month for April. He has since joined Arias in Portland from Greenville and is in line to make his first Double-A start this Saturday.

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

Red Sox promote pitching prospect Dylan Brown to High-A Greenville

The Red Sox have promoted pitching prospect Dylan Brown from Low-A Salem to High-A Greenville, as was first reported by Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects.com.

Brown, who turns 22 next month, was Boston’s eighth-round pick (238th overall) in last summer’s draft out of Old Dominion. The left-hander received an at-slot $229,000 signing bonus but did not make his professional debut until April 2. He has since gotten his pro career off to a promising start.

In five starts for Salem, Brown forged a 2.31 ERA with 32 strikeouts to 13 walks over 23 1/3 innings in which he held Carolina League opponents to just a .181/.299/.241 clip. That includes a .167/.274/.185 line against right-handed hitters and a .207/.343/.345 line against left-handed hitters.

Among 23 qualified Carolina League pitchers entering play Tuesday, Brown ranked third in groundball rate (59.2%), fourth in FIP (2.83), strikeouts per nine (12.34) and strikeout rate (33%), sixth in batting average against and ERA, and seventh in swinging-strike rate (15.4 percent) and xFIP (3.80), per FanGraphs.

A Pennsylvania native, Brown is currently ranked by SoxProspects.com as Boston’s No. 60 prospect but figures to move up in the site’s next update. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound southpaw has a deceptive delivery and features a four-pitch mix that consists of a lower-90s fastball that has reached 95 mph, an upper-80s cutter, a lower-80s slider, and a lower-80s changeup.

“So far, he’s been able to consistently keep hitters off balance and locate all his pitches around the strike zone,” Baseball America’s Ian Cundall (formerly SoxProspects.com’s scouting director) wrote of Brown last month. “If that continues, he could become another intriguing pitching prospect to watch in a system full of them.”

With fast-rising righty Anthony Eyanson moving up to Double-A Portland, Brown will be tasked with facing more advanced competition at High-A. He joins a Greenville starting rotation that includes fellow 2025 draftees Kyson Witherspoon and Marcus Phillips. The Drive open a six-game series on the road against the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Tuesday night.

(Picture of Dylan Brown: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox to promote top pitching prospect Anthony Eyanson to Double-A Portland

After a handful of starts for High-A Greenville, Anthony Eyanson is ready to move up to the next level. The Red Sox are promoting the talented pitching prospect to Double-A Portland, according to Chase Ford of MiLB Central.

Eyanson is just days removed from making his fifth (and perhaps final) start for Greenville at home this past Friday. Going up against Hub City at Fluor Field, the 21-year-old right-hander allowed one hit and three walks (the first three of his professional career) while striking out seven of the 15 batters he faced over 3 2/3 scoreless innings. He threw 67 pitches (37 strikes) and generated 11 whiffs.

In five starts for Greenville altogether, Eyanson posted a minuscule 0.44 ERA with 34 strikeouts to three walks over 20 1/3 innings. Opponents in the South Atlantic League batted just .104/.155/.149 against him. That includes a .114/.139/.114 line from right-handed hitters and a .094/.171/.188 line from left-handed hitters.

Among 26 South Atlantic League pitchers who had thrown at least 20 innings this year entering play Sunday, Eyanson led in batting average against, ERA, FIP (1.46), strikeouts per nine (15.05), strikeout rate (47.9%), swinging-strike rate (22%), WHIP (0.49), and xFIP (1.31). He also ranked third in groundball rate (59.4%) and walks per nine (1.33), and fourth in walk rate (4.2%), per FanGraphs.

Eyanson was selected by the Red Sox with the 87th overall pick in last summer’s draft out of Louisiana State (by way of UC San Diego). The California native received an over-slot $1.75 million signing bonus and stood out in his first spring training with the club by displaying significant velocity gains. He touched triple digits in the Spring Breakout game on March 20 before breaking camp with Greenville in early April.

Since making his pro debut one month ago, Eyanson — throwing from a high release point — has hovered between 95-97 mph and topped out at 98-99 mph with his fastball. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound hurler also incorporates an 86-88 mph slider, a cut-splitter, and a 79-80 mph high-spin curveball into his arsenal, which he described to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier as “very vertical.”

“I think north-south, and just keeping stuff over the plate and in the zone,” Eyanson told Speier last Thursday. “I’m trying to throw everything in the zone and just let the pitch move on its own, and let the hitter give himself his own problems.”

Eyanson, who does not turn 22 until October, entered 2026 as Baseball America’s No. 13 Red Sox prospect but now has legitimate top 100 buzz surrounding him. He is the first member of Boston’s 2025 draft class to reach Double-A and, like left-hander Payton Tolle a year ago, could be on the fast track to the major leagues.

First, though, comes a new challenge: facing more advanced competition in the upper minors with Portland. The Sea Dogs open a six-game series against New Hampshire at Hadlock Field on Tuesday.

(Picture of Anthony Eyanson: Gwinn Davis/Greenville Drive)

Red Sox’ Anthony Eyanson off to eye-opening start at High-A Greenville

With the calendar flipping to May, the first month of Anthony Eyanson’s first full professional season is in the books. It ended without the talented Red Sox pitching prospect issuing a single walk.

Though he did hit a batter, Eyanson was otherwise in control for High-A Greenville. In four April starts, the 21-year-old right-hander posted a 0.54 ERA with 27 strikeouts to zero walks over 16 2/3 innings. Opposing hitters in the South Atlantic League batted just .109 against him.

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For Eyanson, each of those strikeouts carries extra meaning. As he explained to Baseball America’s Ian Cundall last month, Eyanson is donating money to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) for each strikeout he records this season. The motivation to do so stems from his own experience.

At the age of 10 in 2015, Eyanson was diagnosed with achalasia, a rare disorder that affects the esophagus and makes it hard to swallow. He underwent four procedures that summer and has been symptom-free since.

“I feel very normal now,” Eyanson told Cundall. “I have no problems eating pretty much all foods, which is a very big blessing.”

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Eyanson, who is scheduled to make his fifth start for Greenville against Hub City on Friday night, enters the weekend as one of 52 pitchers who have thrown at least 15 innings in the South Atlantic League this season. Among those 52, he leads in FIP (1.30), strikeouts per nine innings (14.58), strikeout rate (48.2%), swinging-strike rate (23.7%), walks per nine innings (0.00), walk rate (0.0%), WHIP (0.36), and xFIP (0.93). He also ranks second in batting average against, ERA, and groundball rate (63%), per FanGraphs.

Selected by the Red Sox with the 87th overall pick in last summer’s draft, Eyanson signed for an over-slot $1.75 million bonus. The Louisiana State product stood out in his first spring training in Fort Myers, displaying significant velocity gains and earning All-Spring Breakout Second Team honors. Alongside fellow top 2025 draftees (and SEC alums) Kyson Witherspoon and Marcus Phillips, Eyanson received a season-opening assignment to Greenville.

Since making his pro debut four weeks ago, Eyanson has featured a 94-96 mph fastball that has reached 99 mph. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound righty complements his heater with an 86-88 mph slider that may very well be his best pitch, a cut-splitter, and a 79-80 mph curveball. Baseball America recently identified him as one of 10 standout pitching prospects from April.

Eyanson, who does not turn 22 until October, was ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 13 prospect coming into 2026. Not only does the California native appear poised to climb that list, but he has also emerged as a prime candidate to crack the outlet’s top 100 “sooner or later.” He could further strengthen his case with a promotion to Double-A Portland, though such a move may still be weeks away given how the Red Sox have managed his workload thus far.

(Picture of Anthony Eyanson: Gwinn Davis/Greenville Drive)

Drew Ehrhard joins Red Sox as bullpen catcher

Red Sox minor leaguer Drew Ehrhard has retired from playing and joined the big league club as a bullpen catcher, as was first reported by Alex Speier of The Boston Globe.

Ehrhard, 27, has been in the Red Sox organization since signing as an undrafted free agent out of Division II Tampa (where he played six years) in July 2023. The Florida native is effectively replacing catching coordinator Parker Guinn, who has moved from his role as a bullpen catcher to the dugout, where he will assist with PitchCom and other tasks under interim manager Chad Tracy.

Before joining the Red Sox’ new-look coaching staff in the wake of Alex Cora’s stunning ouster over the weekend, Ehrhard had spent the first month of the 2026 season at Double-A Portland. In 11 games for the Sea Dogs, the right-handed hitter batted .132/.227/.316 with one double, two home runs, eight RBIs, five runs scored, one stolen base, four walks, and 10 strikeouts across 45 plate appearances. He made eight starts at first base and two at DH, adding two relief appearances on the mound as well.

In parts of four minor league seasons between the Florida Complex League, High-A Greenville, and Portland, Ehrhard slashed .233/.306/.376 with 15 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 39 RBIs, 39 runs scored, five stolen bases, 28 walks, and 76 strikeouts over 104 career games (363 plate appearances). Defensively, the 5-foot-9, 185-pounder made 42 starts at first base and DH, along with two at second base. He also appeared in three games behind the plate, where he did not have an opportunity to throw out a base stealer, and nine on the mound, compiling a 3.60 ERA with one strikeout and no walks in 10 innings of relief.

With Portland last season, Ehrhard had the chance to play alongside his younger brother, Zach, before the latter was traded to the Dodgers in late July. The elder Ehrhard was also recognized as the Sea Dogs’ 2025 Charlie Eshbach Citizen of the Year for “displaying an even stronger testament to the impact that players can have on an organization both on and off the field.”

Ehrhard joins Charlie Madden as one of two bullpen catchers on the Red Sox’ coaching staff. Similar to Ehrhard, Madden — a former 24th-round draft pick out of Mercer in 2017 — played three seasons in the minor leagues before spending most of 2021 on Boston’s taxi squad. He was then brought on as a bullpen catcher following his release in March 2022.

(Picture of Drew Ehrhard: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)