Tag: Baseball

Red Sox sign veteran OF Trayce Thompson to minor-league deal

The Red Sox have signed free agent outfielder Trayce Thompson to a minor-league contract, the club announced on Monday. The deal comes with an invitation to major-league spring training.

Thompson, who turns 34 next month, is the younger brother of five-time NBA All-Star Klay Thompson and the son of two-time NBA champion Mychal Thompson. He is a veteran of seven major league seasons who has appeared in 369 total games for the White Sox, Dodgers, Athletics, Cubs, and Padres.

Originally selected by the White Sox in the second round of the 2009 draft out of Santa Margarita Catholic High School (Calif.), Thompson broke in at the big league level in 2015. The right-handed hitter has since batted .212/.300/.411 with 41 doubles, five triples, 45 home runs, 126 RBIs, 128 runs scored, 17 stolen bases, 115 walks, and 346 strikeouts over 369 plate appearances in the majors.

After slashing .163/.285/.294 with two doubles, six home runs, 17 RBIs, 17 runs scored, two stolen bases, 24 walks, and 77 strikeouts in 72 games (179 plate appearances) between the Dodgers and White Sox in 2023, Thompson did not appear at the major league level in 2024. He instead split the year between the Mets’ and Cubs’ Triple-A affiliates, registering a .233/.315/.471 line with 19 doubles, one triple, 23 home runs, 66 RBIs, 58 runs scored, nine stolen bases, 46 walks, and 120 strikeouts across 107 games spanning 432 trips to the plate.

On the other side of the ball, Thompson has proven capable of playing all three outfield positions. Between his stops in Syracuse and Iowa last season, the 6-foot-2, 225-pounder made 55 starts in center field, 31 starts in right field, and 13 starts in left field. In total, he recorded seven outfield assists and committed two errors in 192 chances.

Thompson becomes the 21st player to receive a non-roster invite from the Red Sox this spring. He will wear the No. 37 at camp in Fort Myers and figures to provide the club with experienced outfield depth at Triple-A Worcester to open the 2025 campaign.

(Picture of Trayce Thompson: Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

Who is Eduardo Rivera? Red Sox prospect led LBPRC in Ks, pitched in Caribbean Series this winter

As he prepares for his first spring training as a member of the Red Sox organization, it feels like an appropriate time to look back at the winter pitching prospect Eduardo Rivera had.

Rivera, a 21-year-old left-hander, spent the winter on his home island of Puerto Rico. The San Juan native opened the 2024-2025 Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente (LBPRC) regular season with the Cangrejeros de Santurce and was excellent.

In 11 regular-season appearances (seven starts), Rivera posted a 1.15 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with a league-leading 56 strikeouts to 12 walks over 39 innings. He made an additional start for the Cangrejeros in the playoffs — in which he struck out eight across six scoreless frames — before they were eliminated by the Senadores de San Juan on January 12.

Three days after Santurce was knocked out of the semi-finals, Rivera joined the Indios de Mayaguez for their best-of-nine LBPRC championship series matchup against San Juan. The lefty got the starting nod in Games 2 and 6 (the clincher) and picked up where he left off by tossing 10 total innings of shutout ball as Mayaguez was ultimately crowned league champion for the 20th time in franchise history.

As a result of being on the championship-clinching team in the LBPRC, Rivera made Puerto Rico’s roster for the 2025 Caribbean Series in Mexicali, Mexico. He unfortunately struggled in his lone start against the Dominican Republic in round-robin action on February 4, surrendering seven runs (three earned) on six hits, one walk, one hit batsman, and five strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings. The Dominican Republic then defeated Mexico in the final on February 7 to take home its fifth Caribbean Series title.

Regardless of how it ended, it was nonetheless a productive winter for Rivera after what must have been a turbulent 2024 season stateside. The southpaw was released by the Athletics (the organization that originally selected him in the 11th round of the 2021 draft out of high school) last May. He then signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox in June and made four appearances (one start) in the rookie-level Florida Complex League before joining Low-A Salem in late July.

In six outings (four starts) for Salem, Rivera forged a 1.99 ERA (2.56 FIP) with 30 strikeouts to seven walks over 22 2/3 innings in which opposing hitters batted just .175 against him. Among the 21 Red Sox minor-leaguers who threw at least 20 innings in the Carolina League last year, Rivera ranked first in WHIP (0.93), second in ERA and line-drive rate (16 percent), third in strikeout rate (33.3 percent) and xFIP (2.59), fourth in strikeouts per nine innings (11.91), batting average against, FIP, and groundball rate (54 percent), fifth in walks per nine innings (2.78), sixth in swinging-strike rate (14.7 percent), and seventh in walk rate (7.8 percent), per FanGraphs.

Rivera, who does not turn 22 until June, is currently regarded by SoxProspects.com as the No. 58 prospect in Boston’s farm system after previously being unranked. The imposing 6-foot-7, 237-pound hurler throws from a three-quarters arm slot and incorporates a high leg kick into his delivery. He primarily operates with a 92-95 mph fastball that has reached 97 mph and also mixes in a changeup and slider.

Barring a trade or other surprise move, Rivera is projected by SoxProspects.com to make the jump to High-A Greenville for the start of the 2025 season. Whether he does so as a member of the Drive’s starting rotation or bullpen remains to be seen.

(Picture of Eduardo Rivera: Miguel Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Red Sox 2024 minor-league saves leader signs with American Association team

Former Red Sox minor-league reliever Felix Cepeda has signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association, per the independent league’s transactions log.

Cepeda, 24, paced both the Red Sox organization and the Eastern League with 14 saves in 18 opportunities at Double-A Portland last season. The right-hander posted a 5.57 ERA (5.19 FIP) with 37 strikeouts to 20 walks in 30 relief appearances (42 innings) for the Sea Dogs. Opposing hitters batted .271 against him.

Despite leading the Eastern League in saves, Cepeda struggled in several other areas. Among the 135 pitchers league-wide who threw at least 40 innings last year, the righty ranked 87th in walk rate (10.3 percent), 101st in strikeouts per nine innings (7.93) and walks per nine innings (4.29), 115th in swinging-strike rate (10.5 percent), 117th in strikeout rate (19 percent), 119th in batting average against, 121st in xFIP (4.60), 124th in WHIP (1.57), 127th in ERA, and 128th in FIP, according to FanGraphs.

Cepeda, who hails from the Dominican Republic, originally signed with the Red Sox for $40,000 as an international free agent coming out of Bonao in July 2017. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound hurler made his professional debut the following June and steadily worked his way up the organizational ladder. He actually enjoyed somewhat of a breakout 2023 campaign that saw him pitch in the Arizona Fall League and earn first-time SoxProspects.com All-Star honors.

Though he came into the 2024 season ranked by SoxProspects.com as the No. 48 prospect in Boston’s farm system, Cepeda was unable to replicate the same kinds of results he produced in 2023. It should be noted that he spent time on the injured list in May and August before reaching minor-league free agency in November. He then allowed 11 runs (eight earned) in eight outings (eight innings) for the Algodoneros de Guasave of the Mexican Pacific League this winter.

Now, Cepeda — who does not turn 25 until July — will presumably look to re-establish himself in the American Association with the hopes of returning to affiliated ball sometime in the future. In the past, he featured a 95-96 mph fastball that got up to 98 mph and complemented it with a mid-80s slider and an upper-80s changeup.

(Picture of Felix Cepeda: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Is Red Sox OF prospect Miguel Bleis poised to bounce back in 2025?

Red Sox outfield prospect Miguel Bleis is in need of a bounce-back season in 2025. There is good reason to believe it could happen, at least according to one prominent publication.

Last week, Baseball America’s Jesus Cano identified 15 prospects “who are poised to bounce back with the new season on the horizon.” Bleis was among those 15 and the lone representative from the Red Sox organization.

Bleis, who turns 21 next month, is currently regarded by Baseball America as the No. 9 prospect in Boston’s farm system. The Dominican Republic native originally signed with the Red Sox for $1.5 million as a highly-touted international free agent coming out of San Pedro de Macoris in January 2021.

As noted by Cano, Bleis showed signs of promise early into his career. Following a successful professional debut in the 2021 Dominican Summer League, he truly burst onto the prospect scene in 2022 by slashing .301/.353/.542 with 14 doubles, four triples, five home runs, 27 RBIs, 28 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases in 40 Florida Complex League games.

On the heels of earning 2022 FCL All-Star honors, Bleis entered Baseball America’s Top 100 rankings in 2023 and opened the season as the No. 88 prospect in the sport. The right-handed hitter broke camp with Low-A Salem but batted just .230/.282/.325 with three doubles, three triples, one home run, 16 RBIs, 18 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases over 31 games before suffering a left shoulder subluxation that ultimately required season-ending surgery that June.

After spending the next several months rehabbing — and adding more than 30 pounds of muscle to his wiry frame in doing so — Bleis had a normal spring training last year and returned to Salem for the start of the 2024 season. He then slashed .257/.349/.398 with 10 doubles, one triple, four home runs, 24 runs scored, 16 stolen bases, 21 walks, and 38 strikeouts in 43 games (195 plate appearances) before receiving a promotion to High-A Greenville on June 11.

Though he was riding a relatively hot bat at the time of his promotion, Bleis struggled to produce consistently in his first stint at Greenville. In 52 games for the Drive, he hit a disappointing .190/.265/.319 with six doubles, seven home runs, 25 RBIs, 32 runs scored, 22 stolen bases, 18 walks, and 54 strikeouts over 234 plate appearances.

Altogether, Bleis batted .220/.303/.354 (94 wRC+) with 16 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, 47 RBIs, 56 runs scored, an organizational-leading 38 stolen bases, 39 walks, and 92 strikeouts in 95 total games (429 plate appearances) between Salem and Greenville last season. Among 21 Red Sox minor-leaguers who made at least 400 trips to the plate in 2024, Bleis most notably ranked second in wSB (1.9), fourth in speed score (6.7), and seventh in strikeout rate (21.4 percent), per FanGraphs.

On the other side of the ball, Bleis saw most of his playing time last year come in center field. Between Salem and Greenville, the approximate 6-foot-2, 203-pounder logged 532 2/3 innings in center, where he recorded four assists and committed six errors in 153 total defensive chances. He also made 19 starts in right field (where he recorded two more outfield assists) and 15 starts at DH.

With intriguing raw power and plus speed to support his range in the outfield, Bleis still possesses the kind of five-tool potential that could help him reclaim a spot on Baseball America’s Top 100 list in 2025. His chances of accomplishing that would likely improve if he can continue to refine his approach at the plate to the point where he is whiffing considerably less.

Barring a trade or other surprise move, Bleis is expected to return to Greenville for the start of the 2025 campaign. Given the fact that he can become Rule 5-eligible for the first time in December, it would not be surprising if he worked his way up to Double-A Portland before the season comes to a close.

(Picture of Miguel Bleis: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox spring training roster includes pair of righties who will be making first trip to major league camp

Earlier this week, the Red Sox added nine non-roster invitees to their spring training roster. Among those nine are two right-handers who are now slated to attend their first major league camp once pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers on February 12.

Their names? Brian Van Belle and Jacob Webb.

Van Belle, 28, is the longest-tenured of the two, having originally signed with the Red Sox as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Miami following the COVID-shortened 2020 draft. The Florida native’s signing bonus was capped at $20,000 and he had to wait until May 2021 to make his professional debut. He spent all of 2024 at Triple-A Worcester and most recently pitched for the Criollos de Caguas of the Puerto Rican Winter League.

In a career-high 30 appearances (nine starts) for the WooSox last year, Van Belle posted a 4.42 ERA (4.12 FIP) with 87 strikeouts to 30 walks over 93 2/3 innings in which opposing hitters batted .289 against him. While some of those numbers may seem uninspiring, the righty did forge a 2.70 ERA (3.57 FIP) with 61 strikeouts to 17 walks in his final 23 outings (three starts) and 63 1/3 innings of the season after being activated from the development list on May 21.

Among the 49 International League pitchers who threw at least 90 innings in 2024, Van Belle ranked fifth in xFIP (4.15), ninth in FIP, 13th in swinging-strike rate (12 percent), 14th in groundball rate (46.2 percent), 15th in walk rate (7.3 percent), 17th in walks per nine innings (2.88), and 20th in ERA, per FanGraphs. He also yielded a .351 batting average on balls in play, which suggests that he may have gotten unlucky at times.

As noted in his SoxProspects.com scouting report, Van Belle made some mechanical adjustments early in the season and ended up lowering his arm slot. That change led to improved results out of the bullpen, though he was still used as a spot starter on occasion. By the end of the year, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound hurler was sitting between 90-93 mph and topping out at 94 mph with his fastball (four-seamer and sinker) while also mixing in an 85-88 mph cutter, an 83-86 mph changeup, and a 79-82 mph curveball.

In winter ball, Van Belle appeared in seven games (made four starts) for Caguas, allowing 10 earned runs on 23 hits, three walks, and 17 strikeouts over 21 innings. That translates to a 4.29 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. Looking ahead, he is currently projected by SoxProspects.com to return to Worcester’s bullpen for the start of the 2025 campaign.

Webb, meanwhile, was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 14th round of the 2021 draft out of Miami University of Ohio. The Fairborn native signed with Boston for $122,500 and made his professional debut in the Florida Complex League shortly thereafter. He most recently spent the majority of 2024 at Double-A Portland before receiving a late-season promotion to Worcester.

In 37 appearances (seven starts) for the Sea Dogs last season, Webb posted a 4.28 ERA (4.40 FIP) with 77 strikeouts to 27 walks over 80 innings in which opposing hitters batted .259 against him. The 25-year-old then joined the WooSox in September but surrendered eight earned runs across 3 2/3 innings in his first four outings at the Triple-A level.

Among the 47 Eastern League pitchers who threw at least 80 innings in 2024, Webb ranked eighth in swinging-strike rate (13.9 percent), 16th in walk rate (7.7 percent), 19th in walks per nine innings (3.04), and 22nd in strikeouts per nine innings (8.66), per FanGraphs. He yielded a .309 batting average on balls in play.

Listed at an imposing 6-foot-5 and 246 pounds, Webb throws from a deceptive, low three-quarters arm slot. The burly righty featured a 92-94 mph fastball last season that has reached 96 mph in the past and complemented it with an 80-84 mph slider and an 88-90 mph changeup. Back in August, Baseball America’s Geoff Pontes described Webb’s fastball as elite, noting how the “combination of velocity, slot, and vertical break allows the pitch to generate whiffs and a heavy rate of chases.”

Webb, who turns 26 in March, is projected to return to Portland’s bullpen for the start of the 2025 season. With that being said, it would not be all that surprising if he made his way back up to Worcester before long.

(Picture of Jacob Webb: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox sign veteran infielder Abraham Toro to minor-league deal

The Red Sox have signed free-agent infielder Abraham Toro to a minor-league contract, as was first reported by Daniel Alvarez Montes of El Extra Base. The deal comes with an invitation to major-league spring training.

Toro was one of nine non-roster invitees added to Boston’s spring training roster on Tuesday. The 28-year-old will earn a base salary of $1 million if he is on the major league roster this season, according to MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo.

Originally selected in the fifth round of the 2016 draft out of Seminole State College (Seminole, Okla.), Toro was once viewed as an intriguing prospect and is a veteran of six big-league seasons. The native Canadian debuted in 2019 and has since appeared in 365 total games with the Astros, Mariners, Brewers, and Athletics.

After spending parts of three seasons with Houston, Toro was dealt to Seattle in July 2021 as part of the four-player Kendall Graveman trade. He remained with the Mariners through the end of the 2022 campaign but was then traded to the Brewers with Jesse Winker for Kolten Wong and cash considerations that December. He was limited to just 21 games with Milwaukee in 2023 before being dealt to Oakland for Chad Patrick that November

In 94 games for the A’s last season, the switch-hitting Toro batted .240/.293/.350 with 17 doubles, one triple, six home runs, 26 RBIs, 34 runs scored, four stolen bases, 20 walks, and 62 strikeouts over 364 plate appearances. That includes a .227/.287/.331 slash line against right-handed pitching and a .286/.313/416 slash line against left-handed pitching. His 17.4 percent whiff rate ranked in the 88th percentile of all big leaguers, per Baseball Savant.

On the other side of the ball, Toro saw playing time at four different positions for Oakland in 2024. The versatile 6-foot, 223-pounder made 49 starts at third base, 17 starts at second base, four starts at first base, and one start in left field. Defensively, he graded out as average regarding his range and arm strength.

Toro was designated for assignment and outrighted off the Athletics’ 40-man roster late last August, which allowed him to elect free agency in October. Altogether, he is a lifetime .220/.285/.353 hitter with 47 doubles, four triples, 34 home runs, 134 RBIs, 145 runs scored, 14 stolen bases, 87 walks, and 228 strikeouts in 1,298 career plate appearances at the big league level.

Toro, who does not turn 29 until December, figures to provide the Red Sox with some versatile infield depth behind the likes of Rafael Devers, Vaughn Grissom, David Hamilton, Romy Gonzalez, Kristian Campbell, and Marcelo Mayer at Triple-A Worcester to open the 2025 season.

(Picture of Abraham Toro: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Top Red Sox pitching prospect resumes throwing after undergoing Tommy John surgery last summer

It appears as though top Red Sox pitching prospect Luis Perales has resumed throwing after undergoing Tommy John surgery last summer, based on a video posted to X by his trainer Luis Saborio on Wednesday.

Perales, the No. 5 prospect in Boston’s farm system according to Baseball America, was in the midst of a breakout 2024 season before injuring his pitching elbow last June. The 21-year-old right-hander started somewhat slow out of the gate in April but turned things around by posting a 3.42 ERA (1.92 FIP) with 46 strikeouts to 10 walks in seven starts (26 1/3 innings) for High-A Greenville. He was then rewarded with a promotion to Double-A Portland on May 26.

Just two starts into his first Double-A stint, however, Perales tore the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow on June 8. He was placed on Portland’s injured list the following day and ultimately underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery — or a full UCL reconstruction — towards the end of the month.

Altogether, Perales forged a 2.94 ERA (1.91 FIP) with 56 strikeouts to 12 walks in nine total outings (33 2/3 innings) between Greenville and Portland last year. Opposing hitters batted .250 against him, though it is worth noting that that figure is tied to an abnormally high .431 batting average on balls in play.

Not including the Dominican Summer League, Perales was one of 67 Red Sox minor-leaguers to pitch at least 33 innings in 2024. Among those 67, the righty ranked first in FIP (1.91) and strikeouts per nine innings (14.97), second in xFIP (2.09), strikeout rate (38.9 percent), and swinging-strike rate (19.6 percent), 10th in ERA and groundball rate (48.6 percent), 19th in walk rate (8.3 percent), 23rd in walks per nine innings (3.21), and 29th in WHIP (1.31), per FanGraphs.

At the time of his injury, Perales had recently entered Baseball America’s Top 100 rankings for the first time and was regarded as the No. 57 prospect in the sport. While he has since dropped from that list, Perales “just missed” being included in BA’s updated Top 100 rankings (which were released on Wednesday) heading into the 2025 campaign.

As highlighted by Baseball America’s Josh Norris, Perales saw his stock rise last season thanks — in part — to an uptick in fastball velocity and a revamped arsenal. To complement his high-octane heater that sat between 95-98 mph and reached 99 mph, the 6-foot-1 hurler mixed in a low-90s cutter, a mid-80s splitter, and a developing mid-80s sweeper.

Perales, who turns 22 in April, originally signed with the Red Sox for $75,000 as an international free agent coming out of Venezuela in July 2019. The Guacara native had to wait nearly two years to make his professional debut due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he showed enough from there to be added to Boston’s 40-man roster in November 2023 and receive protection from the Rule 5 Draft.

Given the expectation that the Red Sox will exercise caution and patience here, it seems likely that Perales will miss the entire 2025 season while focusing on his rehab. If all goes well, though, he could complete his recovery by the end of the year and put himself in a position to fully ramp up for a return to the mound at some point early on in 2026.

(Picture of Luis Perales: Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox to bring back catcher Mark Kolozsvary on minor-league deal

The Red Sox are bringing back catcher Mark Kolozsvary on a minor-league contract, according to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel. The deal, which is presumably pending a physical, includes an invitation to major-league spring training.

Kolozsvary, 29, spent all of last season at Triple-A Worcester after signing a similar minors pact with Boston in December 2023. Serving as upper-level catching depth, the right-handed hitter batted .185/.349/.354 with two doubles, three home runs, 10 RBIs, 12 runs scored, two stolen bases, 11 walks, and 26 strikeouts in 27 games (83 plate appearances) for the WooSox. He was placed on the development list seven separate times.

On the other side of the ball, Kolozsvary unsurprisingly saw most of his playing time last year come at catcher. The 5-foot-7, 185-pound backstop logged 164 2/3 innings behind the plate while splitting reps throughout the season with Tyler Heineman, Nathan Hickey, Mickey Gasper, Kyle Teel, Reese McGuire, and Elih Marrero. He allowed just one passed ball and threw out six of 33 potential base stealers in that sample.

A former seventh-round draft selection out of Florida in 2017, Kolozsvary has 11 games of big-league experience under his belt with the Reds and Orioles. The ex-Gator debuted and appeared in 10 games for Cincinnati in 2022, going 4-for-20 (.200) with two doubles, one home run, three RBIs, three runs scored, one walk, and nine strikeouts. He did not register a plate appearance in the lone game he played for Baltimore in 2023. Between those two stops, he gunned down one of five possible base stealers.

Kolozsvary, who does not turn 30 until September, is well-regarded for his defensive prowess, game-calling skills, and ability to handle a pitching staff. He is slated to join Seby Zavala as the second catcher to sign a minor-league deal with and receive a non-roster invite to spring training from the Red Sox this winter.

Alongside Nathan Hickey, Kolozsvary and Zavala figure to provide Boston with experienced catching depth at Worcester to open the 2025 season. As currently constructed, the Red Sox have three catchers on their 40-man roster in Connor Wong, Carlos Narvaez, and Blake Sabol.

(Picture of Mark Kolozsvary: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox to sign former Central Arkansas, Staten Island FerryHawks OF Kolby Johnson to minor-league deal

The Red Sox are working to sign outfielder Kolby Johnson to a minor-league contract, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Johnson posted on Instagram earlier Tuesday evening that he had signed with the club.

Johnson, 25, spent the 2024 season with the Staten Island FerryHawks of the independent Atlantic League. In 112 games, the right-handed hitter batted .308/.380/.459 with 24 doubles, four triples, 11 home runs, 62 RBIs, 93 runs scored, 32 stolen bases, 32 walks, and 83 strikeouts over 489 plate appearances.

On the other side of the ball, Johnson was named to the Atlantic League’s 2024 All-Defensive Team after a productive year patrolling the outfield for Staten Island. The 5-foot-6, 165-pounder (listed height and weight) saw the majority of his playing time come in right field and he committed just two errors in 214 chances altogether. His 11 outfield assists were also the second-most in the league.

A native of Pearland, Texas, Johnson played collegiately at Central Arkansas (where he earned his MBA) for five years but was passed over in the 2023 draft. He spent the following months playing for the MLB Draft League’s Trenton Thunder and leveraged his standout performance (.361/.450/.578 slash line in 40 games) there into a deal with Staten Island that September. The FerryHawks then brought him back for the 2024 campaign last January.

Johnson, who does not turn 26 until September, figures to provide the Red Sox with toolsy outfield depth in the lower minors to open the 2025 season. What affiliate he starts out at will likely be determined at some point during spring training.

(Picture of Kolby Johnson courtesy of the Staten Island FerryHawks)

How did Red Sox pitching prospect Danny Kirwin fare in 2024?

Even though he was not signed until late April, pitching prospect Danny Kirwin still put together an impressive first season as a member of the Red Sox organization.

After going undrafted out of Rider University (Lawrence Township, N.J.) in 2023, Kirwin pitched in two summer leagues before signing with the Oakland Ballers that December. The right-hander originally planned on spending the 2024 season with the newly formed Pioneer League club. He instead became the first player in the team’s short history to have his contract purchased by a major-league organization when the Red Sox did so last April.

That came shortly after Ballers manager Micah Franklin posted a 45-second video on social media of Kirwin reaching 98 mph with his fastball during a bullpen session. The Red Sox, as it turned out, caught wind of the post and wasted little time in getting Kirwin to Fort Myers, Fla. for a physical and to sign a contract. He officially put pen to paper on April 24 and reported to Low-A Salem the following day.

Kirwin, who turned 25 in November, spent the remainder of the minor-league season with Boston’s Carolina League affiliate. In 20 appearances (five starts) for the Salem Red Sox, the righty posted a 3.63 ERA (3.65 FIP) with 69 strikeouts to 24 walks over 69 1/3 innings. Opposing hitters batted just .211 against him.

Among the 57 pitchers who threw at least 65 innings in the Carolina League last year, Kirwin ranked seventh in groundball rate (46.8 percent), 13th in batting average against, 18th in WHIP (1.13), 19th in xFIP (3.48), 21st in swinging-strike rate (13.4 percent), 24th in FIP, 25th in walks per nine innings (3.12), and 26th in walk rate (8.4 percent) and line-drive rate (21.5 percent), per FanGraphs.

While Salem’s season ended in early September, Kirwin’s year continued in the Arizona Fall League. One of eight Boston minor-leaguers to make the trek out west, Kirwin was recognized as an AFL All-Star after forging a 2.84 ERA with 16 strikeouts to just one walk in five appearances (one start) spanning 12 2/3 innings for the Mesa Solar Sox.

Between his stints with Salem and in Arizona last season, Kirwin flashed some intriguing stuff on the mound. Throwing from a low three-quarters arm slot, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound hurler typically sat in the upper-90s with his high-octane fastball while also featuring a low-90s cutter and sinker, a mid-80s sweeper that he changed the grip on late into the year, and an upper-80s changeup.

A native of Lansdale, Penn., Kirwin returned to and spent part of his offseason training at Tread Athletics in Pineville, N.C. to further revamp his arsenal and mechanics. He recently debuted as SoxProspects.com’s 59th-ranked Red Sox prospect (29th among pitchers) and is currently projected by the site to open the 2025 campaign in High-A Greenville’s bullpen.

(Picture of Danny Kirwin: Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images)