Tag: Baseball

Which prospect did Red Sox trade to Athletics for Rule 5 pick Ryan Watson?

Following the conclusion of Wednesday’s Rule 5 Draft, the Red Sox swung a trade with the Athletics for a pitcher who had just heard his name called.

In exchange for right-hander Ryan Watson, whom the Athletics took from the Giants system with the eighth overall pick in the major league phase, the Red Sox sent infield/outfield prospect Justin Riemer and cash considerations to the A’s.

MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo was the first to report news of the trade.

Riemer, who turns 24 in February, was not ranked among Boston’s top 60 prospects by SoxProspects.com. The Virginia native was originally selected by the Red Sox out of Wright State with the 133rd overall pick in the 2023 draft, which the club received as compensation for losing Nathan Eovaldi to the Rangers in free agency the previous winter. He received an above-slot $500,000 signing bonus but was recovering from a torn ACL at that time, which pushed his professional debut back until last July.

After splitting the remainder of the 2024 season between the Florida Complex League and High-A Greenville, Riemer spent the majority of 2025 with the latter affiliate. Though he was sidelined from April 16 to May 15 with a shoulder injury, the right-handed hitter batted .232/.423/.275 with six doubles, one home run, 16 RBIs, 33 runs scored, nine stolen bases, 64 walks, and 55 strikeouts in 76 games (279 plate appearances) for the Drive. He appeared in six games (August 23-24, September 10-14) across two separate stints with Double-A Portland as well, going 4-for-18 (.222) with one double, two RBIs, five runs scored, five walks, and five strikeouts.

Overall, Riemer slashed .231/.421/.276 with seven doubles, one home run, 18 RBIs, 38 runs scored, nine stolen bases, 69 walks, and 60 strikeouts in 82 total games (303 plate appearances) between Greenville and Portland this past season. Among 36 Red Sox minor leaguers who made at least 300 trips to the plate, Riemer ranked first in walk rate (22.8 percent), on-base percentage, and swinging-strike rate (3.2 percent), fourth in wRC+ (123), seventh in wOBA (.360), and ninth in strikeout rate (19.8 percent), per FanGraphs.

On the other side of the ball, Riemer saw playing time at five different positions between his stops in Greenville and Portland this year. The versatile 5-foot-10, 170-pounder logged 309 innings at second base, 179 innings at third base, 108 innings in left field, 40 innings in right field, and 14 innings at shortstop, committing eight errors in 299 total defensive chances. He also made three starts at DH.

Though he has yet to hit for much power to this point in his career, Riemer has drawn praise for his advanced approach, pitch recognition, and bat-to-ball skills. Those traits, among others, must have stood out to the Athletics when putting together this one-for-one swap with the Red Sox.

With that being said, Riemer — barring another move — seems likely to open the 2026 season with either the Athletics’ High-A or Double-A affiliate. It is worth noting that he is in line to become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft for the first time next winter.

(Picture of Justin Riemer: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox lose pitching prospect Jedixson Paez to White Sox in Rule 5 Draft

The Red Sox lost pitching prospect Jedixson Paez to the White Sox in the major league phase of Wednesday’s Rule 5 Draft.

Paez was taken by Chicago with the second overall pick. The White Sox will now be tasked with keeping the right-hander, who turns 22 next month, on their active roster for the entire 2026 season (barring an injured list stint). If not, they will have to offer him back to the Red Sox for $50,000 (half of the $100,000 selection fee) should he clear waivers.

Hailing from Venezuela, Paez originally signed with the Red Sox for $450,000 as an international free agent in January 2021. The Tinaquillo native made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League shortly thereafter and was later named Boston’s Latin Program Pitcher of the Year. Since making the jump stateside in 2022, he has steadily climbed the organizational ladder.

After first reaching High-A last May, Paez returned to Greenville for the start of the 2025 campaign as Baseball America’s 21st-ranked Red Sox prospect. Due to a right calf strain suffered in late April, however, the righty spent nearly four months on the injured list before returning to action in mid-August. When on the mound, though, he posted a 2.79 ERA (4.32 FIP) with 23 strikeouts to three walks in seven starts (19 1/3 innings) for the Drive. Opposing hitters in the South Atlantic League batted .228 against him.

Despite having yet to pitch above the High-A level, Paez was an enticing option for the White Sox given his advanced feel for command and control, as evidenced by his career 3.9 percent walk rate in 307 2/3 minor league innings. Baseball America even described the 6-foot-1, 170-pound hurler as having “arguably the best control” among Rule 5-eligible pitchers.

“Nothing he throws is plus,” Baseball America wrote of Paez. “But he locates his 91-92 mph fastball, curveball, sweeper, and slider, while his mid-80s changeup is an above-average pitch with plenty of fade. …Paez could be more than a bulk-inning reliever if he gains a bit more velocity, but his control and varied arsenal give him survival skills if picked.”

Paez was one of several intriguing prospects left off Boston’s 40-man roster ahead of last month’s deadline to protect Rule 5-eligible players. The Red Sox instead elected to add lefty Shane Drohan and righties David Sandlin and Tyler Uberstine.

(Picture of Jedixson Paez: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox agree to minor league deal with former Dodgers farmhand Alec Gamboa

The Red Sox have agreed to terms on a minor league contract with free agent left-hander Alec Gamboa, as was first reported by Will Sammon of The Athletic. The deal includes an invitation to big league spring training and a salary of $925,000 if Gamboa makes it to the majors.

Gamboa, who turns 28 next month, has yet to reach the majors since being selected by the Dodgers in the ninth round of the 2019 draft out of Fresno City College. The California native spent parts of seven seasons in Los Angeles’ system, making 53 appearances (17 starts) in total for the club’s Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City before being released this past May.

After posting a 4.19 ERA (4.74 FIP) with 12 strikeouts to 12 walks in eight outings (two starts) and 19 1/3 innings for Oklahoma City in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League to begin the 2025 season, Gamboa was released on May 13 so that he could sign with the Lotte Giants of the Korean Baseball Organization. While overseas, the lefty forged a 3.58 ERA (3.47 FIP) with 117 strikeouts to 49 walks over 19 starts (108 innings) in which opponents batted .236 against him.

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Gamboa featured a five-pitch mix with Oklahoma City earlier this year that consisted of a mid-90s four-seam fastball, an upper-80s slider, a lower-90s sinker, an upper-70s curveball, and a mid-80s changeup.

Though it remains to be seen how the Red Sox will deploy Gamboa, he likely projects as a left-handed relief option who will start the 2026 campaign in Triple-A Worcester’s bullpen. Like recent trade addition Tyler Samaniego, Gamboa should provide Boston with some much-needed depth in that area following the departures of Brennan Bernardino, Chris Murphy via trade, and Steven Matz via free agency.

Unlike Samaniego, however, Gamboa will not occupy a spot on Boston’s 40-man roster once his signing is made official.

(Picture of Alec Gamboa: John E. Moore III/Getty Images)

Which prospect did Red Sox acquire from Angels for Vaughn Grissom?

The Red Sox parted ways with infielder Vaughn Grissom on Tuesday by sending him to the Angels in a minor trade.

In exchange for Grissom, Boston simultaneously opened a 40-man roster spot ahead of Wednesday’s Rule 5 Draft and acquired outfield prospect Isaiah Jackson from Los Angeles.

Jackson, 21, was originally taken by the Astros in the 18th round of the 2022 draft out of Cienega High School in Arizona. Rather than enter the professional ranks at that time, though, the Vail, Ariz. native elected to honor his commitment to Arizona State. He played three seasons with the Sun Devils and batted .310/.402/.630 with 11 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 68 RBIs, 51 runs scored, 14 stolen bases, 28 walks, and 43 strikeouts in 60 games (251 plate appearances) as a junior this past spring en route to earning All-Big 12 First Team honors.

Coming off a standout junior season, Jackson was ranked as Baseball America’s No. 179 prospect in the 2025 draft class. This time around, the left-handed hitter was selected by the Angels in the eighth round (229th overall) of July’s draft and signed for an over-slot $297,500. He made his professional debut with Los Angeles’ High-A affiliate in early August and appeared in 10 games for the Tri-City Dust Devils, going 7-for-32 (.219) with one double, one home run, four RBIs, six runs scored, four walks, and 13 strikeouts. Defensively, he made nine starts in center field and did not commit an error in 81 innings there.

Before Tuesday’s trade, Jackson was slated to enter 2026 as Baseball America’s No. 25 Angels prospect. The publication notes that the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder is “a well-built left-handed-hitting center fielder who is a plus defender despite only average speed,” adding that “he has the bat speed to have solid power with a swing geared especially toward pullside damage, but there are some questions about how well he will hit against more advanced pitching, especially against breaking balls.”

Jackson, who turns 22 in May, becomes the latest 2025 draftee to be added by the Red Sox via trade in recent weeks, joining the likes of Luke Heyman (acquired from the Mariners) and Adonys Guzman (acquired from the Pirates). Barring another move, he appears likely to start the 2026 campaign at High-A Greenville.

(Picture of Isaiah Jackson: Kate Woolson/Texas Rangers/Getty Images)

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)