The Red Sox are promoting outfield prospects Jhostynxon Garcia and Allan Castro from High-A Greenville to Double-A Portland, as was first reported by Beyond the Monster’s Josh Ball.
Garcia and Castro, both 21, are currently regarded by Baseball America as the Nos. 18 and 23 prospects in Boston’s farm system, respectively. They originally joined the Red Sox organization as international free agents coming out of Venezuela and the Dominican Republic in July 2019.
Affectionately nicknamed “The Password” because of all the consonants in his first name, Garcia is on the move for the second time this season. The right-handed hitter opened the 2024 campaign at Low-A Salem and connected on five home runs while producing a .882 OPS in his first 24 games before receiving a promotion to Greenville in late May. He then batted a stout .311/.371/.627 with 14 doubles, two triples, 16 homers, 37 RBIs, 44 runs scored, one stolen base, 12 walks, and 50 strikeouts in 53 games (229 plate appearances) for the Drive.
Defensively, Garcia saw playing time at all three outfield positions in his time with Greenville. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder logged 17 innings in left field, 165 innings in right field, and 191 innings in center field, committing two errors and recording two outfield assists in 80 total chances. He also started 10 games at DH.
Castro, meanwhile, is on the move for the first time in 2024 after breaking camp with Greenville this past spring. The switch-hitter got off to somewhat of a slow start offensively before turning a corner in July. All told, he slashed .243/.363/.449 with 21 doubles, four triples, 14 home runs, 48 RBIs, 65 runs scored, 11 stolen bases, 61 walks, and 94 strikeouts in 95 games (413 plate appearances) for the Drive this season.
On the other side of the ball, Castro — like Garcia — made starts at all three outfield spots for Greenville. The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder logged 19 innings in left field, 251 innings in right field, and 413 2/3 innings in center field, committing just one error and recording five outfield assists in 151 total chances. He also started 17 games at DH.
As SoxProspects.com’s director of scouting Ian Cundall alluded to recently, it will be interesting to see how Garcia and Castro adjust to facing more advanced pitching at the Double-A level. They are both Rule 5-eligible at year’s end, so encouraging stints with Portland could strengthen their case to be added to the Red Sox’ 40-man roster this winter.
(Picture of Jhostynxon Garcia: Gwinn Davis/Greenville Drive)