Tag: frontier league

Red Sox purchase contract of 6-foot-7 lefty PJ Labriola from Frontier League team

The Red Sox officially purchased the contract of left-hander PJ Labriola from the New York Boulders of the independent Frontier League on Wednesday, per the club’s MLB.com transactions log.

Labriola opened the 2025 season in New York after signing with the club in early March. The 24-year-old appeared in three games for the Boulders this month, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits, one walk, and two strikeouts over three innings. He recorded the first save of his professional career against the Rox in Brockton, Mass., last Friday.

“As soon as we started to pursue PJ this winter, we knew that he was a special player, and we also knew that he was very much of the radar of a few different organizations,” Boulders manager TJ Stanton said in a statement released by the team on Monday. “I could not be happier for PJ and absolutely love getting the opportunity to be a part of these great players’ baseball journeys. Hopefully there will be many more to come!”

A native of Sarasota, Fla., Labriola spent the first three years of his collegiate career at Clemson before transferring to North Carolina State in 2023. The lefty compiled an 8.58 ERA in 22 appearances (28 1/3 innings) over two seasons with the Wolfpack and went undrafted as a fifth-year senior last summer. He then spent the remainder of 2024 pitching for the Frederick Keys of the MLB Draft League and the Rocky Mountain Vibes of the independent Pioneer League, forging a 6.00 ERA across 12 outings (12 innings) between the two clubs.

Listed at 6-foot-7 and 223 pounds, Labriola was among the standout performers at Tread Athletics’ series of pro days back in January. As part of that showcase in Pineville, N.C., the towering southpaw featured a mid-90s fastball, an 89-90 mph cutter, and an 86-plus mph gyro slider. He likely caught the Red Sox’ attention at that time and, following a brief stint in the Frontier League, it ultimately culminated in an agreement between the two sides.

Labriola, who does not turn 25 until November, has been assigned to the Florida Complex League Red Sox for the start of his organizational tenure. With that being said, it would not be surprising if he were to join one of Boston’s lower-level full-season affiliates (either Low-A Salem or High-A Greenville) as an additional bullpen option before long.

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

Former Red Sox minor-leaguer Jake MacKenzie signs with Rockies

Former Red Sox minor-leaguer Jake MacKenzie is back in affiliated baseball. More specifically, the New York Boulders of the independent Frontier League sold MacKenzie’s contract to the Colorado Rockies on Thursday, per the league’s transactions log.

MacKenzie, 23, began his professional career with the Red Sox after signing with the club as an undrafted free agent coming out of Fordham in June 2020. Known for his speed, the right-handed hitter split the 2021 season between Low-A Salem and High-A Greenville, batting .245/.360/.340 with six doubles, one triple, two home runs, seven RBIs, 26 runs scored, four stolen bases, 20 walks, and 36 strikeouts over 54 total games.

The Red Sox released MacKenzie from his contract last March, making him a free agent yet again. The Connecticut native then latched on with the Boulders in May and put forth a productive year in the Frontier League by slashing .302/.399/.492 with 25 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs, 65 runs driven in, 92 runs scored, 35 stolen bases, 46 walks, and 64 strikeouts in 92 games (434 plate appearances). Among league leaders, he ranked second in both runs scored and stolen bases.

The Boulders named MacKenzie the recipient of their 2022 Johnny Thompson Unsung Hero Award in September and exercised his contract option for the 2023 season in December. At that time, MacKenzie was abroad, playing for the Canberra Cavalry of the Australian Baseball League. He slashed .248/.398/.357 with a league-leading 16 stolen bases in 37 games and earned ABL All-Star honors as a result.

On the heels of an eventful winter, MacKenzie — who turns 24 in May — will now look to make a solid first impression as a member of the Rockies organization. In addition to his plus speed and strong baserunning instincts, the versatile 5-foot-10, 195-pounder is capable of playing second base, third base, shortstop, and a little bit of outfield as well.

At this point in time, it is not yet known which of Colorado’s minor-league affiliates MacKenzie will be assigned to. That said, it would not be surprising if he winds up spending some time at the Rockies’ complex in Scottsdale, Ariz. for extended spring training before receiving that assignment.

(Picture of Jake MacKenzie: Gwinn Davis/Greenville Drive)