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)
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