Category: Uncategorized

Red Sox sign local product Morgan McSweeney to minor league contract

The Red Sox signed free-agent right-hander Morgan McSweeney to a minor league contract on Wednesday. He struggled in his organizational debut for Double-A Portland, surrendering five earned runs on five hits (including one home run), no walks, and three strikeouts over two innings of relief.

McSweeney returns to affiliated ball after spending the first part of the 2026 season abroad in the Chinese Professional Baseball League. The 28-year-old made nine appearances (eight starts) for the Rakuten Monkeys, posting a 5.08 ERA with 21 strikeouts to 24 walks over 44 1/3 innings before being released in late June.

A Hudson, Mass. native and Worcester Academy product, McSweeney was originally selected by the Orioles in the 17th round (498th overall) of the 2019 draft out of Wake Forest. The righty received a $125,000 signing bonus and spent five-plus years in the organization without reaching the majors, instead peaking at Triple-A Norfolk before he was cut loose by Baltimore in July 2024.

McSweeney spent the next 11 months between Gastonia and Staten Island of the independent Atlantic League before his contract was purchased by the Marlins last June. From there, he pitched to a 2.21 ERA with 42 strikeouts to 23 walks across 13 appearances (12 starts) spanning 61 innings for Triple-A Jacksonville to close out his 2025 campaign. He elected free agency in November and signed with Rakuten in December.

Following Wednesday’s rough outing in Portland, McSweeney now owns a lifetime 3.77 ERA with 237 strikeouts to 123 walks over 151 career appearances (12 starts) and 241 1/3 innings in the minors. Stuff-wise, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound hurler features a lower-90s fastball that has reached 93 mph, a cutter, a slider, a changeup, a curveball, and a sinker.

McSweeney, who turns 29 next month, will presumably provide Boston with additional upper-minors pitching depth between Portland and Triple-A Worcester down the stretch this season. He is the third arm the Red Sox have brought in via minor-league contract in the last week, joining veteran righty John Brebbia and former Yankees farmhand Aaron Nixon.

(Picture of Morgan McSweeney: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Red Sox promote pitching prospect Jedixson Paez to Triple-A Worcester

The Red Sox have promoted pitching prospect Jedixson Paez from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester, as first reported by SoxProspects.com’s Andrew Parker. He is scheduled to start for the WooSox and make his Triple-A debut on Thursday, according to The Worcester Telegram & Gazette’s Tommy Cassell.

Paez began the 2026 season with the White Sox after being selected by them in December’s Rule 5 Draft. The 22-year-old right-hander made Chicago’s Opening Day roster but struggled in three relief appearances, allowing six earned runs on four hits (including two home runs), three walks, and no strikeouts over three innings. He was designated for assignment on April 1 and returned to the Red Sox for $50,000 three days later.

Having never pitched above the High-A level before this season, it is not surprising that Paez had a rough time in his brief major league debut with the White Sox. After returning to the Red Sox, he reported to Portland and put together a solid four-month stretch leading up to Wednesday’s promotion.

In 17 appearances (seven starts) for the Sea Dogs, Paez posted a 4.41 ERA and 3.78 FIP with 56 strikeouts to just five walks over 49 innings. Eastern League opponents slashed .241/.264/.417 in 193 plate appearances against him. He has proven particularly effective when facing right-handed hitters, limiting them to a .233/.255/.388 line across the majors and minors this year.

Among 92 pitchers who entered play Wednesday having thrown at least 45 innings in the Eastern League this season, Paez ranked first in swinging-strike rate (19.3%), walks per nine (0.92), and walk rate (2.6%), third in xFIP (3.25), fifth in WHIP (1.02), 15th in strikeout rate (29%), 18th in FIP, 29th in groundball rate (46.2%), 31st in strikeouts per nine (10.29), and 38th in batting average against and ERA, per FanGraphs.

Originally signed for $450,000 as an international free agent out of Venezuela in January 2021, Paez is currently regarded by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 22 prospect, which ranks eighth among the organization’s pitchers. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound righty has made a name for himself thanks to a strong command-and-control profile. Stuff-wise, he features a 91-92 mph fastball that reaches 94 mph, an upper-80s cutter, a mid-80s changeup, a lower-80s slider, and an upper-70s curveball.

Now in Triple-A for the first time, Paez — who does not turn 23 until next January — has put himself in a position to get back to the majors with the Red Sox for the stretch run. At the very least, he can build a case for a spot on Boston’s 40-man roster this winter, which would keep him from being Rule 5-eligible for the second straight offseason.

(Picture of Jedixson Paez: Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Which prospect did Red Sox send to Orioles to complete Adley Rutschman trade?

More than a week after acquiring three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman, the Red Sox have completed the blockbuster trade that netted him from the Orioles.

Boston sent minor league outfielder Harold Rivas to Baltimore as the player to be named later in the deal on Wednesday, per announcements from both clubs. That means the trade is now complete, with the Red Sox landing Rutschman, fellow backstop Jake Rogers (who has since been designated for assignment), and cash considerations from the Orioles for catcher Carlos Narvaez, pitching prospects Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, and outfield prospects Enddy Azocar and Rivas.

As noted by MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo, Rivas was initially rumored to be part of the package going back to Baltimore on August 3 before it was revealed that the fifth piece — following Narvaez, Eyanson, Witherspoon, and Azocar — was a player to be named later when the trade was first announced. Since Rutschman was on the injured list with left wrist inflammation at the time, this suggests the Red Sox and Orioles may have already agreed to Rivas’ inclusion last week but waited until Rutschman was activated by Boston on Tuesday to officially complete the deal.

Rivas, then, switches organizations for the first time in his young career. The 18-year-old was ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 10 prospect after originally signing for $950,000 as a highly touted international free agent out of Venezuela last January. He made a solid first impression in the Dominican Summer League last season, marking his professional debut, before making the jump stateside to the Florida Complex League in 2026.

In 46 games for the FCL Red Sox, Rivas batted .241/.343/.429 with six doubles, four triples, six home runs, 19 RBIs, 42 runs scored, 23 stolen bases, 24 walks, and 52 strikeouts over 198 plate appearances. The right-handed hitter slashed .239/.333/.435 in 159 plate appearances against righties and .250/.385/.406 in 39 plate appearances against lefties.

Among 69 qualified FCL hitters this season, Rivas notably ranked second in speed score (9.5), 14th in isolated power (.188), 17th in wSB (1.1), 22nd in slugging percentage, and 25th in swinging-strike rate (11.7%), according to FanGraphs.

Defensively, Rivas saw almost all of his playing time in the Florida Complex League come in center field. The athletic 6-foot-2, 177-pounder made 43 starts in center for the FCL Red Sox, committing five errors and recording three assists in 309 chances over 318 innings. He also made two starts at DH.

In addition to being ranked as the Red Sox’ No. 10 prospect, Rivas came in at No. 13 on Baseball America’s Top 20 Florida Complex League Prospects for 2026 list. The publication noted that while catcher Franklin Primera and right-hander Sadbiel Delzine “were the stars” of Boston’s FCL affiliate, Rivas “opened plenty of eyes as well.”

“The narrow-framed outfielder has a quick, whippy swing geared for line drives, though some scouts noticed that he was a bit eager to sell out for the kind of power that likely won’t be a part of his game as he moves up the ladder,” Baseball America’s Josh Norris wrote last month. “In fact, Rivas might take away more home runs than he hits. The above-average runner showed excellent instincts and routes in center field and more than convinced scouts that he could play the position at an above-average clip.”

Rivas, who does not turn 19 until next May, is still years away from the majors but nonetheless joins a talented, replenished Orioles farm system. He has been assigned to Baltimore’s FCL affiliate in the interim, though it would not be surprising to see him join Low-A Delmarva for what would be his full-season debut before long.

(Picture of Harold Rivas: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox sign former Yankees farmhand Aaron Nixon to minor league contract

The Red Sox signed free agent right-hander Aaron Nixon to a minor league contract on Tuesday. He has been assigned to High-A Greenville.

Nixon, 25, joins the Red Sox organization after spending three-plus years in the Yankees system. The native Texan, who began his collegiate career at Texas, originally signed with New York as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State in July 2023. He made his professional debut the following April and spent the entire 2024 season with Low-A Tampa, posting a 5.40 ERA with 63 strikeouts to 48 walks across 39 relief appearances spanning 61 2/3 innings.

After spending all of 2025 on the full-season injured list while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Nixon made the jump to High-A Hudson Valley in 2026. In 16 relief appearances for the Renegades, the righty produced a 5.94 ERA with 16 strikeouts to 11 walks in 16 2/3 innings. He had fared better of late, allowing just one earned run over his last eight innings since June 23, but was still released in early August.

Altogether, Nixon owns a 5.51 ERA with 79 strikeouts to 59 walks in 55 career minor league relief outings (78 1/3 innings) across two seasons (2024 and 2026) between Low-A and High-A. Opposing hitters have slashed .222/.395/.368 in 366 plate appearances against him during that stretch.

Listed at 6-foot and 210 pounds, Nixon features a low-to-mid 90s fastball as well as a sinker and slider. He has also generated plenty of weak contact, owning a career 57.5% groundball rate. His 58.8% groundball rate this season ranks fourth among pitchers who have thrown at least 15 innings in the South Atlantic League, according to FanGraphs.

Nixon, who turned 25 last month, will remain in the South Atlantic League after joining Greenville’s pitching staff. He will likely make his Red Sox organizational debut in the Drive’s road series against Hub City this week.

(Picture of Aaron Nixon: Diamond Images via Getty Images)

Red Sox to promote top IF prospect Henry Godbout to Double-A Portland

The Red Sox are promoting top infield prospect Henry Godbout from High-A Greenville to Double-A Portland, as first reported by MiLB Central’s Chase Ford.

Godbout is technically moving up to Portland from Low-A Salem, where he had been on a rehab assignment since July 31. The 22-year-old appeared in five games for the RidgeYaks, going 4-for-14 (.286) with one RBI, six runs scored, two stolen bases, six walks, and two strikeouts. He is evidently ready for a new challenge.

With this promotion, Godbout will be reaching the upper minors in his first full professional season. The Virginia product was selected by the Red Sox with the 75th overall pick in last summer’s draft, which the club received as compensation for losing Nick Pivetta to the Padres in free agency. He signed for an at-slot $1,093,800 and made his pro debut with Greenville, where he slashed .341/.473/.477 across a 13-game sample sandwiched around a hamstring injury.

Following an impressive spring training in which he displayed high-end bat speed with his quick swing, Godbout returned to Greenville and got his 2026 campaign off to an encouraging start. The right-handed hitter batted .277/.410/.492 with seven doubles, seven home runs, 14 RBIs, 21 runs scored, two stolen bases, 22 walks, and 27 strikeouts in 34 games (161 plate appearances) for the Drive before suffering a broken left hand after being hit by a pitch on May 30. He underwent surgery in early June and was transferred to the 60-day injured list ahead of being cleared to return to game action late last month.

Overall, Godbout is batting .278/.429/.472 with seven doubles, seven home runs, 15 RBIs, 27 runs scored, four stolen bases, 28 walks, and 29 strikeouts in 39 games (184 plate appearances) between Greenville and Salem this season. He is slashing .288/.447/.441 in 152 plate appearances against right-handed pitchers and .231/.344/.615 in 32 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers.

Excluding those in rookie-level Dominican Summer and Florida Complex Leagues, 47 Red Sox minor leaguers have logged at least 180 plate appearances so far in 2026. Among those 47, Godbout ranks second in on-base percentage, third in swinging-strike rate (7%), fourth in wOBA (.416) and wRC+ (137), fifth in OPS (.901) and strikeout rate (15.8%), eighth in batting average, ninth in walk rate (15.2%), 11th in slugging percentage, and 16th in isolated power (.194), according to FanGraphs.

Defensively, Godbout has been used almost exclusively at shortstop this year. Between his stops in Greenville and Salem, the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder made 32 starts at short, committing eight errors in 124 chances over 283 innings. He also made seven starts at DH.

Godbout, who turns 23 in November, is currently ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 5 prospect. The New York native is set to become the fourth member of the Red Sox’ 2025 draft class to make the jump to Portland this season, joining third-rounder Anthony Eyanson (who has since been traded), fourth-rounder Mason White, and 13th-rounder Jack Winnay.

(Picture of Henry Godbout: Gwinn Davis/Greenville Drive)

Red Sox’ Antonio Anderson named South Atlantic League Player of the Week for second time this season

Red Sox prospect Antonio Anderson has been named the South Atlantic League Player of the Week for the week of August 3-9, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

Anderson takes home the award for the second time this season, having previously earned the honor for the week of June 22-28. This time, the 21-year-old infielder was a force to be reckoned with in High-A Greenville’s series against the Hudson Valley Renegades at Fluor Field.

Appearing in four of six games, Anderson went 8-for-13 (.615) with two doubles, two home runs, six RBIs, seven runs scored, four walks, and three strikeouts. He went deep in Tuesday’s series opener, doubled on Wednesday, tallied four hits on Friday, and homered again in Sunday’s series finale.

For the season, Anderson is batting .284/.378/.482 with 13 doubles, three triples, a career-high eight home runs, 38 RBIs, 41 runs scored, one stolen base, 30 walks, and 58 strikeouts in 64 games (255 plate appearances) for Greenville. The switch-hitter is slashing .286/.378/.491 in 205 plate appearances against righties from the left side and .279/.380/.442 in 50 plate appearances against lefties from the right side.

Among 85 hitters who have made at least 250 trips to the plate in the South Atlantic League this year, Anderson ranks 12th in batting average, 15th in wOBA (.385) and wRC+ (118), 16th in line-drive rate (25%), 17th in slugging percentage and OPS (.860), 20th in on-base percentage, 30th in isolated power (.197), 33rd in strikeout rate (22.7%), and 41st in swinging-strike rate (12.2%), according to FanGraphs.

Defensively, Anderson has split his playing time between the infield corners for Greenville this season. In 34 starts at third base, the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder has committed 11 errors in 88 chances over 303 innings. In 27 starts at first base, he has four errors in 221 chances over 249 2/3 innings. He has also made one start at DH.

A former third-round draft pick (83rd overall) in 2023, Anderson is enjoying a resurgent 2026 campaign. The North Atlantic High School product, who forwent his commitment to Georgia Tech by signing with the Red Sox for $1.5 million, has endured his fair share of struggles since making his professional debut three years ago. He was ranked as high as Boston’s No. 22 prospect by Baseball America in 2024, when he was viewed more as a shortstop, but had fallen almost entirely off the radar before this season began.

Anderson, who turned 21 in June, is the first player in the South Atlantic League to earn multiple Player of the Week honors this year. Given his recent performance with Greenville, it is certainly possible that a late-season promotion to Double-A Portland could be in the cards.

(Picture of Antonio Anderson: John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Red Sox promote pitching prospect Jason Gilman to High-A Greenville

The Red Sox have promoted pitching prospect Jason Gilman from Low-A Salem to High-A Greenville, per the club’s MiLB.com transactions log.

Gilman was Boston’s 16th-round (478th overall) pick in last summer’s draft out of Kean University (N.J.), where he earned 2025 ABCA/Rawlings Division III National Pitcher of the Year honors. Rather than transfer to Ole Miss as a graduate student, the New Jersey native signed with the Red Sox for the slot value of $150,000.

Gilman began his first full professional season at extended spring training in Fort Myers before debuting with Salem on April 25, two days after his 23rd birthday. The left-hander then pitched to a 2.91 ERA with 76 strikeouts to 32 walks across 14 outings (nine starts) spanning 55 2/3 innings for the RidgeYaks. Opposing hitters batted .188/.302/.320 in 232 plate appearances against him.

Among 62 Carolina League pitchers who entered Tuesday having thrown at least 55 innings this year, Gilman ranked first in strikeout rate (32.8%), second in swinging-strike rate (16.8%), third in strikeouts per nine (12.29), fourth in batting average against, fifth in line-drive rate (19.3%), 13th in ERA, 16th in WHIP (1.24), 22nd in FIP (4.04), and 27th in xFIP (4.20). On the flip side, he ranked 44th in walks per nine (5.17) and 46th in walk rate (13.8%), according to FanGraphs.

Though he has twice been named SoxProspects.com’s Pitcher of the Week this season, Gilman is not yet ranked among the outlet’s top Red Sox pitching prospects. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound southpaw features a fastball that has been up to 94.4 mph in-game. He is also capable of mixing in a curveball and changeup.

Gilman is the second Day 2 pick from Boston’s 2025 draft class to make the jump from Salem to Greenville in recent weeks, joining ninth-rounder Jacob Mayers. He will likely make his High-A debut during Greenville’s series against Hudson Valley at Fluor Field this week.

(Picture of Jason Gilman: Gary Streiffer/Flickr)

Red Sox promote pitching prospect Devin Futrell to Double-A Portland

The Red Sox have promoted pitching prospect Devin Futrell from High-A Greenville to Double-A Portland, as first reported by Andrew Parker of SoxProspects.com.

Futrell is on the move for the second time this season. The 23-year-old left-hander opened the 2026 campaign with Low-A Salem, but was quickly elevated to Greenville in mid-April after firing nine scoreless innings across two appearances (one start) for the RidgeYaks.

In his second stint with Greenville, where he ended last season, Futrell posted a 4.22 ERA with 85 strikeouts to 14 walks over 15 outings (12 starts) spanning 74 2/3 innings. Opposing South Atlantic League hitters batted .253/.289/.467 in 305 plate appearances against him.

Among 26 South Atlantic League pitchers who entered play Tuesday having thrown at least 70 innings this year, Futrell ranked first in walks per nine (1.69) and walk rate (4.6%), third in xFIP (3.98), fourth in WHIP (1.17), fifth in strikeout rate (27.9%), seventh in strikeouts per nine (10.25), eighth in FIP (4.39), and 10th in ERA, according to FanGraphs.

Overall, Futrell owns a 3.76 ERA (4.13 FIP) with 95 strikeouts to 14 walks across 17 appearances (13 starts) and 83 2/3 innings between Salem and Greenville this season. He has held opponents to a .233 batting average, while his 4.8% walk rate is among the top marks in the Red Sox organization.

Originally selected in the 10th round of the 2024 draft out of Vanderbilt, Futrell is currently ranked as Boston’s No. 47 prospect by SoxProspects.com. The 6-foot-3, 218-pound lefty throws from a three-quarters arm slot and operates with a four-pitch mix consisting of an 88-90 mph fastball that tops out at 91 mph, a 76-78 mph changeup, a 74-77 mph curveball, and a 79-83 mph slider.

Because he lacks velocity, Futrell — who turns 24 next month — will be tested against tougher competition in the upper minors. Even so, his command profile and pitchability give him upside. He is scheduled to start for Portland and make his Double-A debut against New Hampshire on Friday.

(Picture of Devin Futrell: Gwinn Davis/Greenville Drive)

Red Sox promote pitching prospect Gage Ziehl to Triple-A Worcester

The Red Sox have promoted pitching prospect Gage Ziehl from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester, per the club’s MiLB.com transactions log.

Ziehl is currently regarded by MLB Pipeline as Boston’s No. 17 prospect, ranking eighth among pitchers in the system. The 23-year-old right-hander has spent all of 2026 to this point with Portland, posting a 4.33 ERA with 96 strikeouts to 18 walks over 17 starts (81 innings). Opposing hitters batted .278/.324/.459 in 354 plate appearances against him.

Among 19 qualified pitchers in the Eastern League entering play this week, Ziehl ranked first in walks per nine innings (2.00) and walk rate (5.1%), second in xFIP (3.51), fifth in FIP (4.13), groundball rate (51.5%), strikeouts per nine (10.67) and strikeout rate (27.1%), sixth in WHIP (1.35), and eighth in swinging-strike rate (12.2%), according to FanGraphs.

Originally selected by the Yankees in the fourth round of the 2024 draft out of Miami, Ziehl has already been involved in two significant trades since entering the professional ranks. Last July, he was dealt to the White Sox for outfielder Austin Slater. Just over six months later, he was again on the move, this time going to the Red Sox for fellow righties Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin (plus cash) in early February.

After splitting his first full season in pro ball between three levels and four affiliates, Ziehl overcame a rocky start and has held his own at Double-A this year. The 6-foot, 223-pound hurler features a strong command profile and a five-pitch mix consisting of a 91-93 mph fastball that tops out at 95 mph, an 88-91 mph cutter, an 83-87 mph sweeper, a 79-82 mph curveball, and an 86-88 mph changeup.

Ziehl joins Blake Wehunt and John Holobetz as notable Red Sox pitching prospects who have made the jump from Portland to Worcester this season. After last pitching on Sunday, his Triple-A debut will likely come in the latter half of the WooSox’ upcoming series against Lehigh Valley at Polar Park.

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

Red Sox prospect Angel Roa named Dominican Summer League Pitcher of the Week

Red Sox pitching prospect Angel Roa has been named the Dominican Summer League Pitcher of the Week for the week of July 27-August 2, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

Roa was perfect in his last start for DSL Red Sox Red this past Saturday. Facing his counterparts from DSL Red Sox Blue at the club’s Dominican academy, the 17-year-old right-hander struck out six in the process of retiring all 15 batters he faced over five hitless, walk-free innings.

Roa topped out at 94.9 mph with his fastball and earned his first professional win as DSL Red Sox Red blanked DSL Red Sox Blue, 5-0. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound hurler is now 1-0 with a 1.72 ERA and a 16-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio over six outings (two starts) spanning 15 2/3 innings in the Dominican Summer League this season. Opposing hitters are batting just .094 against him.

A native of Venezuela, Roa signed with the Red Sox for $10,000 as an international free agent in January. The young righty made his professional debut on June 5, surrendering three earned runs in the first three innings of an 11-9 loss to DSL Dodgers Mega. He was then sidelined for the next four weeks for an undisclosed reason, but has been quite effective since returning to the mound on July 4, allowing just one unearned run over his last 12 2/3 innings.

Roa, who turned 17 in late March, is understandably not yet ranked among Boston’s top pitching prospects by outlets such as Baseball America or MLB Pipeline. He is, however, the first Red Sox Dominican Summer Leaguer to earn a weekly award this season.

Azocar also honored

Enddy Azocar, one of three prospects the Red Sox traded to the Orioles for Adley Rutschman on Monday, was also named the South Atlantic League Player of the Week for the week of July 27-August 2. In what proved to be his final five games with High-A Greenville, the 19-year-old outfielder went 14-for-25 (.560) with three doubles, three home runs, 10 RBIs, 10 runs scored, one walk, and four strikeouts in a series against Asheville at hitter-friendly McCormick Field.

(Picture: Winslow Townson/Getty Images)