The Red Sox have released minor-league infielder Brainer Bonaci, per the club’s MiLB.com transactions log.
Bonaci, 22, did not play affiliated ball in 2024 after being handed down a season-long suspension in February for violating the minor-league domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse policy. The nature of the violation remains unknown.
Bonaci originally signed with the Red Sox for $290,000 as an international free agent coming out of Venezuela in July 2018. The switch-hitter entered the 2023 season ranked by Baseball America as the No. 16 prospect in Boston’s farm system. He batted .297/.354/.464 with 18 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, 45 RBIs, 44 runs scored, seven stolen bases, 30 walks, and 80 strikeouts in 79 games (350 plate appearances) between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland while seeing playing time at second base, third base, shortstop, and left field.
Shortly after being promoted from Greenville to Portland last August, Bonaci was placed on the reserve list and sent home to Venezuela “on administrative leave” while Major League Baseball began an investigation. He was reinstated in September to play in the Arizona Fall League but appeared in just two games for the Glendale Desert Dogs before being placed on the restricted list in October for violating the policy.
Though he was subsequently suspended for the entire 2024 minor-league season, Bonaci caught on with Los Senadores de Caracas of the Venezuelan Major League (Liga Mayor de Béisbol Profesional) this year. The Catia La Mar native then represented his country in last month’s WBSC U-23 World Cup and was named to the All-World Team after slashing .360/.480/.414 in eight games.
(Picture of Brainer Bonaci: Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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