The Red Sox are promoting prospects Enddy Azocar and Luke Heyman from Low-A Salem to High-A Greenville, as was first reported by Hunter Noll of Beyond the Monster.
Azocar, a 19-year-old outfielder, and Heyman, a 22-year-old catcher, are currently ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s Nos. 10 and 25 prospects, respectively. The pair were among Salem’s top offensive performers to start the season (they are tied for the team lead in home runs) and are being rewarded with a new challenge in a promotion to Greenville.
Azocar played in 39 of Salem’s first 45 games and was swinging a hot bat as of late. The right-handed hitter batted .295/.344/.530 with 15 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 26 RBIs, 31 runs scored, seven stolen bases, 12 walks, and 40 strikeouts over 180 plate appearances. That includes a .372/.426/.767 line against lefties and a .268/.316/.447 line against righties.
Heyman, another right-handed hitter, played in 36 games for Salem to mark his professional debut. He slashed .218/.383/.420 with six doubles, six home runs, 21 RBIs, 19 runs scored, 31 walks, and 36 strikeouts across 154 plate appearances. His platoon splits are similar to Azocar’s, as he batted .276/.462/.448 off of southpaws compared to .200/.357/.411 off of right-handers.
Defensively, both Azocar and Heyman were used exclusively at one position when not serving as DH for Salem. Azocar, who is up to 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, made 30 of his 39 starts and logged 260 error-free innings in center field, recording one assist. Heyman, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, made 22 of his 36 starts and logged 190 1/3 innings behind the plate, allowing four passed balls and throwing out 15 of 53 would-be base stealers.
Azocar, a native of Venezuela, originally signed with the Red Sox for $40,000 as an international free agent in January 2024. His stock first started to rise last year following a strong spring and impressive showing in the Florida Complex League. With five-tool potential and encouraging underlying data, he has emerged as one of the organization’s top teenage talents. He does not turn 20 until next February.
Heyman, meanwhile, was acquired from the Mariners for reliever Alex Hoppe in November. Selected in the 14th round (422nd overall) of last summer’s draft out of Florida, he received an above-slot $230,000 signing bonus. Because he was rehabbing from a fractured forearm that cut his junior season short, however, Heyman did not appear in a game for a Seattle affiliate before being dealt to Boston. He turns 23 in July.
Azocar and Heyman are now slated to join an exciting position player group in Greenville that includes other ranked prospects like Justin Gonzales, Henry Godbout, Yoeilin Cespedes, Gerardo Rodriguez, and Mason White. The Drive open a six-game series at home against Asheville on Tuesday night.
With Azocar and Heyman on the move, the Red Sox are also promoting 18-year-old infielder Louis Andujar from the Florida Complex League to Salem, according to Ari Alexander of 7News Boston WHDH.
(Picture of Enddy Azocar: Scott Audette/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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