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)

How former Red Sox prospect Zach Ehrhard is faring with Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate

After writing about James Tibbs III last week, it feels like it would be a missed opportunity to not take note of the season Zach Ehrhard — the other outfield prospect the Red Sox traded to the Dodgers for Dustin May last July — is having so far.

Like Tibbs, Ehrhard received his first non-roster invite to major league spring training before breaking camp with Triple-A Oklahoma City in late March. In his inaugural taste of the minors’ highest level, the 23-year-old initially got off to a slow start at the plate with the Comets, batting .229/.307/.356 with two home runs and 22 RBIs over his first 35 games (163 plate appearances) through May 12.

On May 13, Ehrhard snapped a 22-game homerless drought with a solo shot against Albuquerque. That appears to have been a turning point. Including that contest, the right-handed hitter is slashing a stout .359/.490/.675 with nine home runs and 31 RBIs across his last 32 games (147 plate appearances). Three multi-homer outings are mixed in there as well.

In all, Ehrhard is hitting .288/.394/.490 with 17 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, 53 RBIs, 51 runs scored, nine stolen bases, 45 walks, and 64 strikeouts through 67 games (310 plate appearances) for Oklahoma City this season. He has posted a .262/.365/.396 line in 222 plate appearances against righties and a .357/.466/.743 line in 88 plate appearances against lefties.

Among 60 qualified hitters in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League entering play this week, Ehrhard ranks ninth in wRC+ (125), 13th in swinging-strike rate (7.2%), 14th in walk rate (14.5%), 16th in isolated power (.202), 17th in on-base percentage, 18th in OPS (.884) and wOBA (.396), 21st in batting average and slugging percentage, 28th in strikeout rate (20.6%), and 29th in line-drive rate (24.9%), according to FanGraphs.

Defensively, Ehrhard has seen playing time at all three outfield positions for Oklahoma City. The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder has made 31 starts in center, 17 starts in left, and 15 starts in right, recording seven assists and committing three errors in 134 total chances. He has also made three starts at DH.

A Florida native, Ehrhard was drafted by the Red Sox in the 13th round out of high school in 2021 but did not sign. Three years later, he was again drafted by the Red Sox, this time as a fourth-round selection (115th overall pick) out of Oklahoma State. He received a below-slot $500,000 signing bonus and made his professional debut at High-A Greenville in July 2024, then worked his way up to Double-A Portland last May. There, he had the chance to play with his older brother, Drew, before being dealt to the Dodgers for May alongside Tibbs in the moments leading up to the July 31 trade deadline.

In a similar fashion to Tibbs, Ehrhard ended his 2025 season on a high note with Double-A Tulsa and has seemingly taken advantage of the Dodgers’ player development program to elevate his profile. He is currently ranked as Los Angeles’ No. 21 prospect by Baseball America, which describes him as “the kind of player who does just enough right to carve out a big league career.”

With that, it would not come as a shock to see Ehrhard — who does not turn 24 until January — get his first crack at the majors in the near future. Whether that opportunity comes with the Dodgers or another club following this summer’s Aug. 3 trade deadline remains to be seen.

(Picture of Zach Ehrhard: Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

How Red Sox pitching prospect Gage Ziehl is faring with Double-A Portland

After a rocky start to his first season in the organization, Red Sox pitching prospect Gage Ziehl appears to be settling in with Double-A Portland.

Ziehl showed as much in his latest start for Portland this past Friday night by striking out seven consecutive batters at one point. Going up against Somerset at Hadlock Field, the 23-year-old right-hander retired seven straight Patriots hitters via strikeout from the first inning through the middle of the third.

The streak ended when Somerset’s Garrett Martin grounded out to lead off the fourth, leaving Ziehl one shy of the Sea Dogs’ franchise record of eight consecutive strikeouts set by Clay Buchholz in 2007.

In all, Ziehl struck out a career-high of nine without issuing a walk over five solid innings in which he allowed two earned runs on four hits. The righty threw 76 pitches (54 strikes), generating 12 whiffs and topping out at 94.5 mph with his fastball. He also picked up the winning decision as the Sea Dogs defeated the Patriots by a final score of 6-2.

Following Friday’s performance, Ziehl is now 3-2 with a 4.56 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 61:10 through 11 starts (53 1/3 innings) for Portland this season. Dating back to May 24, however, he has forged a 2.55 ERA with 30 strikeouts to seven walks across his last five outings and 24 2/3 innings. Opponents are batting just .207 against him in that stretch.

Among the 37 pitchers who have thrown at least 50 innings in the Eastern League this year, Ziehl owns the best walks-per-nine mark (1.69) and walk rate (4.3%). He also ranks third in xFIP (3.43), seventh in groundball rate (52.3%), 10th in FIP (4.14), strikeouts per nine (10.29), and strikeout rate (26.4%), and 14th in WHIP (1.33), according to FanGraphs.

Ziehl, who turned 23 last month, was acquired by the Red Sox in February as part of a trade with the White Sox that sent fellow righties Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin, two players to be named later, and cash to Chicago. Boston also received a player to be named later in the deal.

That marked the second time that Ziehl, a former fourth-round draft pick of the Yankees out of the University of Miami in 2024, had been traded since beginning his professional career. New York sent him to Chicago in exchange for veteran outfielder Austin Slater last July.

Now on his third organization, Ziehl is currently regarded by MLB Pipeline as Boston’s No. 20 prospect, ranking 11th among pitchers in the system. In addition to boasting a strong command profile and a mid-90s fastball, the 6-foot, 223-pound hurler features an 88-91 mph cutter, an 83-87 mph sweeper, a 79-82 mph curveball, and an 86-88 mph changeup.

Barring another trade between now and the August 3 deadline, it would not be all that surprising to see Ziehl work his way up to Triple-A Worcester before the end of the season. He could strengthen his case for such a promotion if he continues pitching the way he has as of late.

(Picture of Gage Ziehl courtesy of the Portland Sea Dogs)