Tag: edwin brito

Red Sox release another notable international signing after two seasons

The Red Sox parted ways with another notable international signing on Friday by releasing 19-year-old outfielder Edwin Brito.

As noted by SoxProspects.com’s Andrew Parker, Brito received the third-largest bonus ($450,000) in Boston’s 2024 international signing class behind only fellow Dominican outfielder Vladimir Asencio ($1 million) and Venezuelan infielder Carlos Carrasquel ($590,000), both of whom have since been released.

After signing with the Red Sox in January 2024, Brito showed signs of promise in his first professional season by batting .251/.361/.450 with six doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 32 RBIs, 27 runs scored, two stolen bases, 21 walks, and 46 strikeouts in 51 Dominican Summer League games (205 plate appearances). The right-handed hitter made the jump to the Florida Complex League in 2025 but struggled significantly, slashing just .141/.252/.212 with seven doubles, 12 RBIs, eight runs scored, three stolen bases, 10 walks, and 38 strikeouts over 32 games (115 plate appearances) in his stateside debut.

Altogether, Brito is a lifetime .211/.322/.363 hitter with 13 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 44 RBIs, 35 runs scored, five stolen bases, 31 walks, and 84 strikeouts through 83 career games (320 plate appearances) in the rookie-level Dominican Summer and Florida Complex Leagues. Defensively, the 5-foot-11, 195-pounder has spent most of his time in left field (21 starts) and right field (36 starts), while also making one appearance in center field and four starts at first base.

Despite being ranked by SoxProspects.com as the organization’s No. 54 prospect at this time last year, Brito now finds himself a free agent before playing a single game for a Red Sox full-season affiliate. Given that he does not turn 20 until November, it should be interesting to see if another club believes Brito still has room for development and is therefore worth a second chance.

(Picture of Edwin Brito: Bryan Green/Flickr)

Who is Edwin Brito? Get to know the Red Sox’ home run leader in the Dominican Summer League this season

While Justin Gonzales was rightfully recognized as the Red Sox’ 2024 Latin Program Position Player of the Year last month, he did not lead the organization’s two Dominican Summer League affiliates in home runs this season.

That distinction would belong to another 17-year-old slugger in the form of Edwin Brito, who signed with the Red Sox for $450,000 ($200,000 more than Gonzales) as an international free agent coming out of the Dominican Republic in January.

A native of Puerto Plata, Brito made his professional debut for DSL Red Sox Red in June. The right-handed hitter initially got off to a slow start offensively but finished the regular season slashing .251/.361/.450 with six doubles, two triples, a team-high eight home runs, 32 RBIs, 27 runs scored, two stolen bases, 21 walks, and 46 strikeouts over 51 games (205 plate appearances). He then went 6-for-24 (.250) with seven RBIs in seven playoff games to help secure the organization’s first DSL title since 2016.

Defensively, Brito saw the majority of his playing time (33 of his 49 starts) this season come in right field, where he recorded six outfield assists and committed two errors in 46 chances. The projectable and stocky 5-foot-11, 195-pounder also logged 30 innings at first base as well as one-third of an inning in left field.

Earlier this year, Baseball America’s Ben Badler tabbed Brito as a name to know from the Red Sox’ 2024 international signing class given his above-average bat speed, above-average power, and above-average arm. Red Sox assistant general manager Eddie Romero, on the other hand, described Brito as a “legitimate slug threat” when speaking with The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier in September.

Brito, who turns 18 next month, is currently regarded by SoxProspects.com as the No. 54 prospect in Boston’s farm system. Like Gonzales, he is projected to begin the 2025 minor-league campaign in the rookie-level Florida Complex League.

(Picture of Dominican Republic flags: Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)