Tag: Baseball

Which prospects did Red Sox acquire from Pirates in Johan Oviedo trade?

In addition to right-hander Johan Oviedo, the Red Sox acquired pitching prospect Tyler Samaniego and catching prospect Adonys Guzman as part of their five-player trade with the Pirates on Thursday night.

Samaniego, who turns 27 next month, was originally selected by the Pirates in the 15th round (433rd overall) of the 2021 draft out of South Alabama. The left-hander received a $75,000 signing bonus and has since logged a 3.82 ERA with 182 strikeouts to 63 walks in 127 career minor league outings (two starts) totaling 158 innings.

Even though he has yet to pitch above the Double-A level, Samaniego was added to the Pirates’ 40-man roster last month to receive protection from next week’s Rule 5 Draft. The Red Sox opened a spot for Samaniego on their own 40-man roster by designating righty Cooper Criswell for assignment.

After ending 2024 on the 60-day injured list due to an elbow injury that required an internal brace, Samaniego did not make his 2025 season debut until May. He rehabbed with Pittsburgh’s Florida Complex League, Low-A, and High-A affiliates before rejoining Double-A Altoona in late June. From there, he posted a 3.08 ERA with 30 strikeouts to six walks in 20 relief appearances (26 1/3 innings) for the Curve. Opposing Eastern League hitters batted just .189 against him.

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Samaniego operates with a mid-90s fastball that reached 97 mph in 2025, a low-to-mid-80s slider, and a “seldom-used” upper-80s changeup, according to Baseball America. He should provide the Red Sox with some much-needed left-handed relief depth after Brennan Bernardino (Rockies) and Chris Murphy (White Sox) were traded away last month.

Guzman, meanwhile, celebrated his 22nd birthday on Thursday. The Bronx, N.Y., native originally attended Boston College out of high school in 2023 before transferring to Arizona for his sophomore and junior seasons. He was selected by the Pirates in the fifth round (144th overall) of July’s draft after batting .328/.411/.496 with 12 doubles, nine home runs, 44 RBIs, 43 runs scored, 27 walks, and 32 strikeouts in 62 games (271 plate appearances) for the Wildcats this past spring.

Guzman was ranked by Baseball America as the No. 314 prospect in the 2025 draft class and signed with the Pirates for $496,500. The right-handed hitter made his professional debut in Low-A Bradenton’s penultimate game of the season and stood out by going 2-for-5 with one home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored. He also threw out one would-be base stealer.

Per his pre-draft Baseball America scouting report, Guzman, who is listed at 5-foot-11 and 221 pounds, “remains a glove-first catcher whose swing is often a bit stiff and pull-oriented, though he does have solid pullside power and the plate discipline you might expect of a catcher. His arm remains one of the best in class three years later, with excellent carry on his throws that should help control the running game.” 

Guzman is the third minor league catcher the Red Sox have acquired in the last three weeks, joining Ronny Hernandez (White Sox) and fellow 2025 draftee Luke Heyman (Mariners). He is a candidate to open the 2026 season at either Low-A Salem or High-A Greenville.

(Picture of Adonys Guzman: Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Which prospects did Red Sox trade to Pirates for Johan Oviedo?

To acquire right-hander Johan Oviedo (and two others) from the Pirates on Thursday night, the Red Sox traded outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia and pitching prospect Jesus Travieso to Pittsburgh.

Garcia, who turns 23 next week, was ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 6 prospect. Otherwise known as “The Password,” the native Venezuelan originally signed with the Red Sox for $350,000 as an international free agent in July 2019 and was added to the club’s 40-man roster last November following a breakout 2024 campaign.

This past season, Garcia represented the Red Sox at the All-Star Futures Game in Atlanta and was called up for his major league debut in late August. The right-handed hitting slugger did not get much of a chance to put his power on display, as he went just 1-for-7 (.143) with one double, two walks, and five strikeouts in a brief five-game cameo before being sent back down on August 29. He made two starts in right field and one start in left field.

Between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester, however, Garcia batted .267/.340/.470 with 17 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs, 75 RBIs, 79 runs scored, seven stolen bases, 45 walks, and 131 strikeouts over 114 games (434 plate appearances) in 2025. He led the organization in homers for a second straight season to earn Red Sox Minor League Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Though he is brimming with potential on both sides of the ball, Garcia did not have a clear path to playing time with the Red Sox, as he was behind the likes of Wilyer Abreu, Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, and Ceddanne Rafaela on the club’s outfield depth chart. Barring another move, he should have more of an opportunity with the Pirates in 2026 and will presumably compete for a spot on Pittsburgh’s Opening Day roster when spring training begins.

Like Garcia, Travieso also hails from Venezuela. The 18-year-old right-hander was ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 16 prospect and originally signed with the Red Sox for just $10,000 as an international free agent last January. He made his stateside debut this past season after spending all of 2024 in the Dominican Summer League.

In 19 total outings (16 starts) between the Florida Complex League and Low-A Salem, Travieso posted a 3.06 ERA with 90 strikeouts to 36 walks over 64 2/3 innings in which opponents batted .236 against him. Undersized at 5-foot-11, Travieso is equipped with a live arm and features a 94-96 mph fastball that can reach 100 mph, an 84-86 mph slider, and a changeup.

Travieso, who turns 19 in March, has starter upside but may be better suited for a relief role in the long run, given his frame and below-average command. Regardless, he seems likely to open the 2026 season with either Pittsburgh’s Low-A or High-A affiliate.

(Picture of Jhostynxon Garcia: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Which pitching prospect did Red Sox trade to Cardinals for Sonny Gray?

The Red Sox swung a significant trade with the Cardinals on Tuesday, acquiring veteran starter Sonny Gray and cash considerations for right-hander Richard Fitts, minor league left-hander Brandon Clarke, and a player to be named later or cash considerations.

This article will focus on Clarke, who was ranked by MLB Pipeline as Boston’s No. 5 prospect and is now the No. 7 prospect in St. Louis’ farm system.

Clarke was selected by the Red Sox in the fifth round (148th overall) of the 2024 draft out of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. The Virginia native had been committed to transferring to South Carolina for his senior season before signing with Boston for an under-slot $400,000 last July.

Clarke did not make his professional debut until he broke camp with Low-A Salem to begin the 2025 campaign. On the heels of an eye-opening spring training, the 22-year-old lefty dominated Carolina League hitters to the tune of a 0.93 ERA (0.98 FIP) with 17 strikeouts to just two walks in three starts (9 2/3 innings). He was then rewarded with a promotion to High-A Greenville in late April.

Upon making the jump to the hitter-friendly South Atlantic League, Clarke saw his stock rise even further as he vaulted into the back end of Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects list for a brief period. After tossing 4 2/3 scoreless innings against Bowling Green on May 24, however, Clarke was sidelined for the next month-plus with a blister caused by a hangnail.

Clarke returned to the mound in late June but struggled for the most part over the summer before being shut down again in August due to a recurrence of blisters. He ended the season on Greenville’s injured list, having posted a 5.08 ERA (4.17 FIP) with 43 strikeouts to 25 walks in 11 starts (28 1/3 innings) for the Drive.

Overall, Clarke forged a 4.03 ERA (3.36 FIP) with 60 strikeouts to 27 walks over 14 total starts (38 innings) between Salem and Greenville in 2025. Opposing hitters batted just .128 against him altogether, though struggles with command and control (as indicated by his 15.5 percent walk rate) generated concerns about his outlook moving forward.

Even with those concerns, there is no doubting the potency of Clarke’s stuff. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound southpaw primarily operates with an upper-90s fastball (both two- and four-seam) that can reach triple-digits, an 87-90 mph slider, an 81-85 mph sweeper, and an 87-89 mph changup.

“In terms of pure talent, what’s coming out of his hand and the [arm] extension he gets, it’s right up there with anybody in the minor leagues,” Cardinals president of baseball operations (and former Red Sox chief baseball officer) Chaim Bloom said of Clarke. “You really could put him on that short list of highest talent/most upside in the minor leagues.”

Clarke, who turns 23 in April, seems likely to open the 2026 season with the Cardinals’ High-A affiliate in Peoria, Ill. If he can stay healthy and further harness his command and control, he has tremendous upside as a starter. If not, he still projects as a reliever at the big league level in the long term.

(Picture of Sonny Gray: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Red Sox sign former Athletics, Cardinals farmhand Osvaldo Berrios to minor league deal

The Red Sox signed free agent right-hander Osvaldo Berrios to a minor league contract on Monday, as was first reported by Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com. It is unclear if the deal includes an invitation to major league spring training.

Berrios, who turns 26 later this month, has yet to make his big league debut and was originally selected by the Athletics in the 20th round of the 2017 draft out of Puerto Rico Baseball Academy. The Caguas native spent the first seven seasons of his professional career in Oakland’s system, though he did not pitch in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic or in 2023 due to injury.

After reaching free agency for the first time in November 2023, Berrios signed on with the Gateway Grizzlies of the independent Frontier League for the start of the 2024 campaign. His contract, however, was later purchased by the Cardinals last June, and he spent the better part of the previous two seasons working his way up St. Louis’ organizational pipeline.

Berrios opened the 2025 season at Double-A Springfield, pitching to a 3.74 ERA (4.14 FIP) with 48 strikeouts to 15 walks over 28 outings (four starts) spanning 43 1/3 innings (in which opponents batted .212 against him) before receiving a promotion to Triple-A Memphis in early August. He then struggled to a 9.20 ERA (7.86 FIP) with 14 strikeouts to nine walks in 12 relief appearances (14 2/3 innings) for the Redbirds.

Altogether, Berrios forged a 5.12 ERA (5.08 FIP) with 62 strikeouts to 24 walks in 40 total appearances (four starts) and 58 total innings between Double-A and Triple-A in 2025. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound righty’s arsenal includes a 91-94 mph fastball, a 76-78 mph curveball, an 82-84 mph changeup, and an 81-85 mph slider.

Assuming he does not get taken in either phase of next month’s Rule 5 Draft, Berrios is a candidate to open the 2026 season in Triple-A Worcester’s bullpen. In the meantime, Berrios is pitching for the Gigantes de Carolina of the Puerto Rican Winter League. Entering play on Thursday, he has yet to allow a run through four relief appearances and five innings of work.

(Picture of Osvaldo Berrios: Jared Blais/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Red Sox acquire catching prospect, 2025 14th-round pick Luke Heyman in trade with Mariners

As part of a flurry of roster moves on Tuesday, the Red Sox acquired three minor leaguers in three separate trades with the White Sox, Rockies, and Mariners.

This article will focus on Boston acquiring catching prospect Luke Heyman from Seattle for minor league right-hander Alex Hoppe, who was eligible for next month’s Rule 5 Draft but has since been added to the Mariners’ 40-man roster to nullify that.

Heyman, 22, was selected by the Mariners in the 14th round (422nd overall) of the 2025 draft out of the University of Florida. The Altamonte Springs, Fla. native received an over-slot $230,000 signing bonus but did not appear in a game for one of Seattle’s affiliates due to a fractured forearm that prematurely ended his junior season in May.

Before the injury, Heyman batted .301/.397/.578 with seven doubles, one triple, 13 home runs, 44 RBIs, 37 runs scored, 22 walks, and 38 strikeouts over 49 games (204 plate appearances) for the Gators this past spring en route to earning All-SEC First Team honors. The right-handed hitter was ranked as Baseball America’s No. 127 draft-eligible prospect before dropping to the 14th round in July.

“Heyman offers plus raw power and improving swing decisions,” his pre-draft Baseball America scouting report reads. “He generates carry and lift to the pull side, even on pitches thrown in the outer half of the zone. While Heyman struggled somewhat with offspeed pitches, particularly changeups, he crushed velocity, a byproduct of solid bat speed and rhythm. He stays balanced through his swing and can punish mistakes over the plate.”

On the other side of the ball, Heyman saw the vast majority of his playing time this season come at catcher. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder made 45 starts behind the plate for the Gators and allowed just three passed balls while throwing out 11 of 45 possible base stealers. He also has prior experience at first base.

“Heyman is a well-below-average athlete, which shows up in his limited range of motion, choppy running stride, and heavy lower half,” his scouting report continues. “Scouts believe he has a chance to stick behind the plate thanks to above-average arm strength and improved receiving and blocking. He presented pitches more cleanly than in years past and showed a feel for handling a staff.”

Heyman, who does not turn 23 until next July, is a candidate to make his professional debut with Low-A Salem to start the 2026 season, though he could be a fast riser through Boston’s farm system. Like fellow trade addition Ronny Hernandez, Heyman provides the Red Sox with some much-needed catching depth.

(Picture of Luke Heyman: Samuel Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Who did Red Sox acquire from Rockies for Brennan Bernardino?

As part of a flurry of roster moves on Tuesday, the Red Sox acquired three minor leaguers in three separate trades with the White Sox, Rockies, and Mariners.

This article will focus on Boston acquiring 26-year-old infield/outfielder Braiden Ward from Colorado for left-hander Brennan Bernardino.

Ward, who turns 27 in January, spent the first five seasons of his professional career in the Rockies organization after originally being selected in the 16th round of the 2021 draft out of the University of Washington. The California native received a $125,000 signing bonus and made his professional debut in the Arizona Complex League that August.

From there, Ward steadily climbed Colorado’s organizational ladder without ever being viewed as a top prospect. The left-handed hitting speedster opened the 2025 campaign at Double-A Hartford, batting .259/.360/.330 with 10 doubles, one home run, 16 RBIs, 29 runs scored, 22 stolen bases, 19 walks, and 38 strikeouts in 53 games (205 plate appearances) before receiving a promotion to Triple-A Albuquerque in early July. He then slashed .331/.440/.466 with seven doubles, four triples, one home run, 21 RBIs, 45 runs scored, 35 stolen bases, 16 walks, and 23 strikeouts over 44 games (163 plate appearances) in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

Altogether, Ward batted .290/.395/.391 with 17 doubles, four triples, two home runs, 37 RBIs, 74 runs scored, an organizational-leading 57 stolen bases, 35 walks, and 61 strikeouts across 97 total games (368 plate appearances) between Double-A and Triple-A this year. That includes a .353/.421/.373 line against lefties and a .277/.390/.395 line against righties.

On the other side of the ball, Ward saw playing time at four different positions between his stops in Hartford and Albuquerque this season. The versatile 5-foot-9, 160-pounder logged 359 2/3 innings in center field, 302 innings in left field, 52 innings at second base, and 22 innings at third base. He also made one start at DH and has prior experience in right field.

Assuming he does not get taken in December’s Rule 5 Draft, Ward figures to provide the Red Sox with important upper-minors depth at Triple-A Worcester to open the 2026 season. It would not be at all surprising if he were called up for his big league debut at some point next year, given his speed and ability to play multiple positions.

(Picture of Brennan Bernardino: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Which prospect did Red Sox acquire from White Sox for Chris Murphy?

As part of a flurry of roster moves on Tuesday, the Red Sox acquired three minor leaguers in three separate trades with the White Sox, Rockies, and Mariners.

This article will focus on Boston acquiring catching prospect Ronny Hernandez from Chicago for left-hander Chris Murphy.

Hernandez, who turned 21 earlier this month, spent the first four seasons of his professional career in the White Sox organization after originally signing with the club as an international free agent coming out of Venezuela in June 2022. The Turmero native made his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League shortly thereafter, then followed that up by earning Arizona Complex League All-Star honors in 2023.

After impressing in rookie ball, Hernandez made the jump to Low-A Kannapolis in 2024 and repeated the level in 2025. In 82 games for the Cannon Ballers this season, the left-handed hitter batted .251/.344/.366 with 12 doubles, one triple, four home runs, 34 RBIs, 33 runs scored, four stolen bases, 45 walks, and 75 strikeouts over 355 plate appearances. That includes a .161/.242/.196 line against lefties and a .271/.365/.467 line against righties.

On the other side of the ball, Hernandez made a team-high 64 starts at catcher for Kannapolis this year. In the process of logging 550 innings behind the plate, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound backstop committed 10 errors and allowed four passed balls while throwing out 37 of 152 possible base stealers. He also made 18 starts at DH.

Hernandez was not ranked among the White Sox’ top 30 prospects by publications such as Baseball America or MLB Pipeline, but should nonetheless provide the Red Sox with much-needed catching depth in the lower minors. He is a candidate to open the 2026 campaign with High-A Greenville and can become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft for the first time at season’s end.

(Picture of Chris Murphy: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox add trio of pitching prospects to 40-man roster ahead of Rule 5 deadline

The Red Sox added three pitching prospects — right-handers David Sandlin and Tyler Uberstine and left-hander Shane Drohan — to their 40-man roster in advance of Tuesday’s Rule 5 Draft protection deadline.

To accommodate the additions of Sandlin, Uberstine, and Drohan, the Red Sox traded left-handers Brennan Bernardino and Chris Murphy to the Rockies and White Sox, respectively, for a pair of minor leaguers and designated righty Josh Winckowski for assignment.

Sandlin is currently regarded by MLB Pipeline as Boston’s No. 10 prospect, which ranks sixth among pitchers in the organization. The hard-throwing 24-year-old was originally selected by the Royals in the 11th round of the 2022 draft out of Oklahoma, then acquired by the Red Sox for reliever John Schreiber last February.

Sandlin opened the 2025 season with Double-A Portland, pitching to a 3.61 ERA (3.33 FIP) with 86 strikeouts to 27 walks over 17 outings (13 starts) spanning 82 1/3 innings in which he held opposing hitters to a .227 batting average. He received a promotion to Triple-A Worcester in late July but then struggled to a 7.61 ERA (5.27 FIP) in 15 appearances (one start) totaling 23 2/3 innings as he transitioned to a bullpen role ahead of a possible big league call-up.

That never came to fruition, but there is still plenty to like about Sandlin when it comes to his arsenal. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound hurler sits at 94-97 mph and reaches triple digits with his fastball. while also incorporating a slider, sweeper, splitter, and curveball into a diverse pitch mix.

Uberstine, a one-time USC hopeful who did not receive any scholarship offers coming out of high school, was Boston’s 19th-round pick in the 2021 draft out of Northwestern. After working his way back from June 2023 Tommy John surgery late last season, the 26-year-old opened the 2025 campaign at Portland and posted a 3.64 ERA (2.51 FIP) with 35 strikeouts to just four walks in six starts (29 2/3 innings) before receiving a promotion to Worcester in mid-May. From there, he forged a 3.56 ERA (4.92 FIP) with 102 strikeouts to 37 walks across 19 outings (15 starts) and 91 innings in which opponents batted .245 against him.

Altogether, Uberstine finished the season leading the Red Sox organization in innings pitched (120 2/3) and strikeouts (137). The 6-foot-1, 200-pound righty features a 92-94 mph fastball that tops out at 95 mph as well as a slider, a changeup, a cutter, and a curveball.

Unlike Sandlin and Uberstine, Drohan is already plenty familiar with the Rule 5 process. Boston’s fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft out of Florida State, the 26-year-old Drohan was left off the club’s 40-man roster when first eligible following the 2023 season and was subsequently scooped up by the White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft that December. He was, however, later returned to the Red Sox in June 2024 after undergoing a nerve decompression procedure in his left shoulder four months prior.

Drohan began the 2025 season in Worcester but was limited to 12 outings (11 starts) with Boston’s top affiliate due to left forearm inflammation that sidelined him from early May until late August. When on the mound, though, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound southpaw compiled a 2.27 ERA (2.85 FIP) with 67 strikeouts to 16 walks over 47 2/3 innings in which he held opposing hitters to a .185 batting average. He primarily operates with a 92-94 mph fastball that can reach 96 mph, a changeup, a curveball, a cutter, and a slider.

With the additions of Sandlin, Uberstine, and Drohan, the Red Sox now have a full 40-man roster. That means that other eligible prospects who were left off, like righties Yordanny Monegro (who is recovering from Tommy John surgery) and Jedixson Paez, lefties Eduardo Rivera and Hayden Mullins, and outfielders Miguel Bleis and Allan Castro, could be taken by other clubs in next month’s Rule 5 Draft.

(Picture of David Sandlin: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox release former top international signing after just two seasons

The Red Sox released minor league outfielder and former top international signing Vladimir Asencio after reinstating him from the restricted list last Friday, per the MiLB.com transactions log.

Asencio, who turns 19 next month, spent just two seasons in the Red Sox organization after originally being signed for $1 million out of the Dominican Republic last January. The Santo Domingo native and Mejia Top 10 product received the largest signing bonus in Boston’s 2024 international free agent class but was unable to make it to the United States.

At that time, Asencio was ranked as the No. 34 prospect in the 2024 international signing class by MLB Pipeline, which described him as having “a sound bat path and slight uppercut stroke” as well as “speed [that] should enable him to maximize his tools defensively.”

Asencio debuted in the Dominican Summer League last June but proceeded to struggle in his first professional season. The right-handed hitter batted just .165/.317/.195 with two doubles, one triple, 13 RBIs, 21 runs scored, 14 stolen bases, 21 walks, and 39 strikeouts in 43 games (164 plate appearances) for DSL Red Sox Blue. He made 29 starts in center field, six starts in left field, and six starts in right field.

Unlike others from his signing class, Asencio repeated the Dominican Summer League and returned to DSL Red Sox Blue for the start of the 2025 campaign. Another year older at 18, Asencio still scuffled to a .228/.253/.253 slash line with two doubles, 10 RBIs, nine runs scored, two stolen bases, two walks, and 18 strikeouts in 25 games (83 plate appearances). He made 18 starts in left field, two starts in center field, and two starts at DH before being placed on the restricted list for the remainder of the season on July 23.

Though it is unclear why he was placed on the restricted list in the first place, a team source described Acensio’s release last week as “a baseball decision we make with players all the time.”

Having said that, Asencio is a career .189/.296/.217 hitter through two seasons in the Dominican Summer League and is still in search of his first professional home run. Assuming he is now free to sign with another club, it will be interesting to see how much interest, if any, Asencio garners on the open market.

Asencio is the second notable member of Boston’s 2024 international class to be cut loose this year, joining Venezuelan infielder Carlos Carrasquel. The 18-year-old Carrasquel received a $590,000 signing bonus last January but was released in May.

(Picture of Vladimir Asencio: Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Red Sox prospects Luis Perales, Stanley Tucker named 2025 Fall Stars

Red Sox prospects Luis Perales and Stanley Tucker have been selected to the 2025 Fall Stars Game, the Arizona Fall League announced on Thursday.

Perales, a 22-year-old right-hander, and Tucker, a 23-year-old infielder/outfielder, will represent the Salt River Rafters by suiting up for the American League in the 19th annual Fall Stars Game at Mesa’s Sloan Park on Sunday night. The game, which is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET, will be broadcast live on MLB Network and MLB.com.

Perales, one of Boston’s top pitching prospects and a member of the club’s 40-man roster, is still in the process of working his way back from June 2024 Tommy John surgery. After a lengthy rehab, the Venezuelan-born righty returned to the mound in September, appearing in two games (one start) for Double-A Portland and one game for Triple-A Worcester before the minor-league season concluded.

So far this fall, Perales has mostly struggled in the hitter-friendly AFL. Through five starts for Salt River, the 6-foot-1 hurler has posted a 9.58 ERA with 16 strikeouts to 10 walks over 10 1/3 innings in which opponents have batted .326 against him. Stuff-wise, he has reached triple digits with his fastball while also mixing in a cutter, slider, and changeup.

As he is slated to make his sixth start for Salt River on Friday, Perales will not pitch in Sunday’s Fall Stars Game. With that being said, he will nonetheless be an intriguing name to watch from within the Red Sox organization for various reasons heading into 2026.

Tucker, meanwhile, is not ranked among Boston’s top prospects but is also working his way back from injury following a lost 2025. After suffering a torn labrum from dislocating his shoulder last August that required surgery, the former 2023 19th-round draft selection out of Texas A&M crashed into the outfield wall in his first spring training game in March, dislocating a bone in his right wrist. He then spent all season on Low-A Salem’s 60-day injured list.

Now healthy, Tucker has had a solid fall thus far. Coming into play on Thursday, the right-handed hitter has batted .288/.397/.333 with three doubles, 14 RBIs, 10 runs scored, 12 stolen bases, 12 walks, and 19 strikeouts through 20 games (78 plate appearances) for Salt River. His 12 base thefts are good for the fourth-most in the AFL.

Defensively, Tucker has seen all of his playing time this fall come at second base. The 5-foot-9, 165-pounder has logged a team-leading 162 1/3 innings at the keystone for Salt River, committing seven errors in 94 chances. He also has prior professional experience at third base and all three outfield positions.

Beyond Perales and Tucker, former Red Sox farmhand Miguel Ugueto (taken by the Cardinals in the minor league phase of the 2024 Rule 5 Draft) was named a National League Fall Star on Thursday. Additionally, Braden Montgomery, one of four prospects traded to the White Sox for ace Garrett Crochet last December, is a finalist via the ‘Final 2’ fan vote for the last spot on the American League’s Fall Stars roster. Whether he makes it or not will be determined on Friday.

 (Picture of Luis Perales: Chris Coduto/Getty Images)