Tag: franklin primera

Red Sox prospects Sadbiel Delzine, Franklin Primera named FCL Pitcher and Player of the Week

The Red Sox swept the weekly awards in the Florida Complex League on Monday, as prospects Sadbiel Delzine and Franklin Primera were named Pitcher and Player of the Week for June 8-14.

Delzine was dominant in his latest outing for the rookie-level FCL Red Sox last Tuesday. Working in relief of the rehabbing Jeremy Wu-Yelland on the road against the FCL Braves, the 18-year-old right-hander allowed only two hits and no walks (though he did hit two batters) while striking out a career-high eight over 6 1/3 scoreless innings.

Finishing with 75 pitches (54 strikes), Delzine generated 14 whiffs en route to improving to 3-0 on the season as the FCL Red Sox routed the FCL Braves, 13-2, at CoolToday Park in North Port. The young righty averaged 96 mph and reached 97.4 mph with his four-seam fastball, a pitch he threw 24 times. He also mixed in a slider, changeup, sinker, curveball, and cutter, according to Baseball Savant.

Through his first six appearances (three starts) of the season for Boston’s FCL affiliate, Delzine has posted a 1.16 ERA (3.03 FIP) with 27 strikeouts to seven walks over 23 1/3 innings in which he has held opponents to a .114 batting average. That includes a .152 clip for right-handed hitters and a .087 clip for left-handed hitters.

Among the 30 pitchers who entered this week having thrown at least 20 innings in the Florida Complex League, Delzine ranks first in batting average against, ERA, FIP, and WHIP (0.69), sixth in walks per nine innings (2.70), seventh in strikeout rate (30.3%), eighth in walk rate (7.9%), 11th in strikeouts per nine innings (10.41), swinging-strike rate (15.6%), and xFIP (4.21), per FanGraphs.

Delzine is currently ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 11 prospect, placing sixth among pitchers in the organization. The native Venezuelan signed with the Red Sox for $500,000 as an international free agent in January 2025. He made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League last season, but was limited to just 9 1/3 innings due in part to a flexor issue. When on the mound, though, he flashed intriguing potential and has carried that momentum over into 2026.

At 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, Delzine possesses an imposing, projectable frame and the ability to already touch triple digits with his fastball. He does not turn 19 until January and could very well be ready for a new challenge in the form of a promotion to Low-A Salem in the near future.

The same can be said for Primera, another Venezuelan-born prospect who has been on an absolute tear at the plate of late. In four games for the FCL Red Sox last week, the right-handed-hitting catcher went 8-for-12 (.667) with two doubles, two home runs, 10 RBIs, seven runs scored, one stolen base, five walks, and one strikeout. He notably homered and drove in a career-high six runs as part of a four-hit effort in a 26-6 drubbing of the FCL Braves at the JetBlue Park complex on Thursday.

Primera, who turns 19 on Tuesday, is enjoying a productive first season in the United States. Entering the week, he is batting .458/.596/.778 with five doubles, six home runs, 22 RBIs, 25 runs scored, four stolen bases, 21 walks, and 10 strikeouts through 24 FCL games (100 plate appearances). He is slashing .214/.476/.214 in 22 plate appearances against lefties and an eye-popping .517/.628/.914 in 78 plate appearances against righties.

Among the 37 hitters who came into the week having made at least 100 trips to the plate in the Florida Complex League, Primera ranks first in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS (1.374), wOBA (.613), and wRC+ (228), second in isolated power (.319) and strikeout rate (10%), and fourth in swinging-strike rate (7.5%) and walk rate (21%), per FanGraphs.

Defensively, Primera has spent most of his time with the FCL Red Sox behind the plate. While primarily splitting catching duties with Jorge Rodriguez, the 6-foot, 230-pound backstop has made 18 starts at catcher, allowing four passed balls and throwing out 11 of 75 would-be base stealers. He has also made five starts at first base, where he has committed one error in 41 chances, and one start at DH.

Hailing from the Venezuelan city of Coro, Primera signed with the Red Sox for just $10,000 as an international free agent in September 2024. He made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League last season and worked his way from a bench role to an injury replacement in the DSL All-Star Game, where he was named co-MVP after hitting a crucial home run.

Less than a year after receiving that honor, Primera is now ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s top catching prospect and No. 19 overall prospect in the system. Like Delzine, Primera seemingly has little left to prove in rookie ball and should soon be in line for a promotion to Salem for his first full-season assignment.

(Picture of Franklin Primera: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

3 Red Sox prospects crack Baseball America’s 2025 Dominican Summer League rankings

Late last week, Baseball America’s Josh Norris ranked the top 35 prospects who played in the Dominican Summer League in 2025.

Of those 35, three members of the Red Sox organization made the cut, with infielders Dorian Soto and Jhorman Bravo coming in at No. 8 and No. 26 and catcher Franklin Primera coming in at No. 33.

Soto, 17, received the highest bonus ($1.4 million) of any international free agent the Red Sox signed this year and is currently ranked by Baseball America as the club’s No. 10 prospect. The switch-hitting Dominican-born infielder put pen to paper in January and made his professional debut in June. He then batted .307/.362/.428 (104 wRC+) with 10 doubles, two home runs, 18 RBIs, 27 runs scored, one stolen base, 16 walks, and 28 strikeouts in 47 games (186 plate appearances) between Boston’s two DSL affiliates.

Though he was named a DSL All-Star in July, Soto did not play in the All-Star Game itself due to a wrist injury that ultimately “quieted his performance down the stretch.” Before that, Norris noted, he “showed an exciting blend of hittability, power, and remaining projection.”

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, Soto saw playing time at every infield position besides first base this year, logging 230 2/3 innings at shortstop, 42 2/3 innings at third base, and two innings at second base. He committed nine errors in 133 total defensive chances between those three spots and also made seven starts at DH.

“He’s a tall, lanky player with plenty of room for strength on his frame,” Norris wrote of Soto. “The added bulk might push him to third base, but he has plenty of arm strength for the position and should have the requisite power, as well.”

Bravo, also 17, signed with Boston for $150,000 as an international free agent coming out of Venezuela in January, but did not generate nearly as much buzz as Soto. In 34 games for DSL Red Sox Red, the left-handed hitter slashed .241/.328/.664 (77 wRC+) with one double, two triples, two home runs, 14 RBIs, 21 runs scored, 12 stolen bases, 16 walks, and nine strikeouts over 134 plate appearances. He did not play after July 31 due to an unspecified injury.

Defensively, Bravo — like Soto — made at least one start at every infield position besides first base this season. The 6-foot-1, 176-pounder logged 106 innings at shortstop, 73 1/3 innings at second base, and 40 1/3 innings at third base, committing six errors in 105 chances. He also made three starts at DH.

As noted by Norris, Bravo’s offensive numbers do not necessarily jump off the page, “but scouts across the league raved about his skills and the foundation they set for the future.

“He has the chops not only to stick at shortstop, but to excel at the position,” Norris continued. “Some scouts grade his defense as nearly double-plus thanks to strong instincts, a stellar internal clock, and more than enough arm for the left side that includes a quick release and plenty of accuracy.”

Primera, meanwhile, was signed for just $10,000 as an international free agent coming out of Venezuela last September. In his professional debut this season, the right-handed hitting 18-year-old batted .333/.465/.430 (144 wRC+) with 10 doubles, one home run, 27 RBIs, 33 runs scored, two stolen bases, 25 walks, and 15 strikeouts over 45 games (172 plate appearances) for DSL Red Sox Red. He was a late addition to the American League’s DSL All-Star roster in July but homered in his first at-bat to take home All-Star Game co-MVP honors.

“Overall, though, the most intriguing part of Primera’s offensive game revolves around his bat-to-ball skills,” Norris wrote. “He rarely swung and missed and did a fine job laying off pitches out of the strike zone. His game power is mostly gap-to-gap, and he’ll need to add some strength as he gets older. Scouts are bullish that he can make that necessity a reality.”

On the other side of the ball, Primera made 39 starts behind the plate for DSL Red Sox Red. The 6-foot, 179-pound backstop threw out 26 of 111 possible base stealers while allowing five passed balls and committing eight errors in 300 total chances. He also made six starts at DH.

“Primera also earns high marks for his defense, including above-average to plus grades for his receiving and arm strength,” added Norris. “He has the floor of a backup catcher in the big leagues with the upside for a bit more.”

It is still early, and plenty can change between now and then. Still, looking ahead to next season, all three of Soto, Bravo, and Primera could be in line to take the next step in their professional journeys by making their stateside debuts in the Florida Complex League.

(Picture of Dorian Soto via his Instagram)

Red Sox catching prospect Franklin Primera shines in 2025 Dominican Summer League All-Star Game

Red Sox minor league catcher Franklin Primera was a late addition to the American League’s roster for the 2025 Dominican Summer League All-Star Game on Sunday.

He ended up being named one of the contest’s co-MVPs.

Primera took the spot of injured teammate Dorian Soto, who has been sidelined by wrist soreness for the last week-plus, on the American League’s updated roster ahead of Sunday’s showcase at the Arizona Diamondbacks’ DR complex in Boca Chica. The 18-year-old came off the bench to lead off the eighth inning and immediately made his impact felt by clubbing a pinch-hit home run to left field off National League All-Star reliever Frankelly Desis.

With his leadoff homer (technically the first of his professional career), Primera brought the American League back to within one run of the opposition at 8-7. They rallied for three additional runs off Desis in the eighth and ultimately defeated the National League by a final score of 10-8.

Primera, who grounded out in his final at-bat to finish the day 1-for-2, was recognized as the game’s most valuable hitter. On the flip side, Orioles minor leaguer Laurens Sosa was recognized as the game’s most valuable pitcher after converting the save (also technically the first of his professional career) with a scoreless ninth inning.

Hector Ramos, the only other Red Sox minor leaguer to appear in Sunday’s exhibition, went 0-for-2 with one strikeout after pinch-hitting and taking over at first base (a position he hadn’t played before professionally) for the American League in the seventh. Williams Montero, who pitched four innings in his most recent start last Thursday, did not see any action.

Primera, meanwhile, originally signed with Boston for a nondescript $10,000 as an international free agent coming out of Venezuela last September. The right-handed hitter had to wait until June to officially make his pro debut and is batting .313/.456/.388 (135 wRC+) with six doubles, 13 RBIs, 22 runs scored, two stolen bases, 16 walks, and seven strikeouts in 27 games (103 plate appearances) for DSL Red Sox Red this season.

Among 25 Dominican Summer League catchers who have made at least 100 trips to the plate in 2025, Primera ranks second in strikeout rate (6.8 percent), third in batting average, on-base percentage, wOBA (.441), wRC+, and swinging-strike rate (6.4 percent), seventh in walk rate (15.5 percent), and 10th in OPS (.844), per FanGraphs.

Defensively, Primera has made a team-leading 24 starts at catcher for DSL Red Sox Red this year. In the process of logging 178 innings behind the plate, the 6-foot, 179-pound backstop has thrown out 19 of 70 possible base stealers and has committed six errors (not including two passed balls) in 189 chances. He has also started three games at DH.

Primera, who just turned 18 on June 16, is not currently ranked among Boston’s top catching prospects at this early stage in his career. With that being said, he is on track to make his stateside debut in the Florida Complex League next year.

(Picture of Franklin Primera via his Instagram)