Tag: james tibbs iii

How trio of prospects traded by Red Sox at deadline fared with new teams

Ahead of the July 31 trade deadline earlier this summer, the Red Sox made deals for two impending free agents in an effort to bolster their pitching staff for the stretch run. In doing so, they parted ways with a trio of top prospects who had already reached the upper levels of their system.

This article will examine how those prospects — Blaze Jordan, James Tibbs III, and Zach Ehrhard — fared with their new organizations after the trade deadline and what can be expected from each of them moving forward.

Blaze Jordan to the Cardinals

Jordan was dealt to the Cardinals on the morning of July 31 for veteran left-hander Steven Matz. The 22-year-old corner infielder was ranked by Baseball America as the Red Sox’ No. 24 prospect at the time of the trade. He had been at Triple-A Worcester since early June and reported to St. Louis’ top affiliate in Memphis for his organizational debut on August 2.

From there, however, Jordan had a rough time of things. The right-handed hitting slugger batted just .198/.242/.366 with six doubles, one triple, seven home runs, 37 RBIs, 21 runs scored, two stolen bases, 10 walks, and 22 strikeouts in 41 games (186 plate appearances) for the Redbirds. Defensively, he made 24 starts at first base, seven starts at third base, and 10 starts at DH.

Overall, Jordan slashed .270/.331/.450 with 28 doubles, two triples, a career-high 19 home runs, a career-high 99 RBIs, 80 runs scored, five stolen bases, 43 walks, and 60 strikeouts in 129 total games (544 plate appearances) between Double-A Portland and two Triple-A affiliates this season. He is currently regarded by Baseball America as the Cardinals’ No. 19 prospect.

A former third-round draft pick out of DeSoto Central High School (Miss.) in 2020, Jordan can once again become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this winter. The Cardinals, whose baseball operations department is now headed by old friend Chaim Bloom, have until late next month to decide if Jordan is worth adding to the 40-man roster ahead of his age-23 season in 2026.

    James Tibbs III, Zach Ehrhard to the Dodgers

    Hours after trading Jordan to the Cardinals, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow surprised many by dealing a pair of outfield prospects in Tibbs and Ehrhard to the Dodgers for oft-injured right-hander Dustin May.

    Tibbs, of course, was the top prospect the Red Sox received from the Giants in the blockbuster Rafael Devers trade on June 15. The 13th overall pick in the 2024 draft out of Florida State was elevated from the High-A level to Portland after that controversial deal was made and was ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 10 prospect.

    After struggling to a .586 OPS in 30 games with Portland, Tibbs turned a corner upon switching organizations for the second time in his young career and immersing himself in the more hitter-friendly Texas League. In 36 games with the Dodgers’ Double-A Tulsa affiliate, the left-handed hitting 23-year-old batted .269/.407/.493 with five doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 32 RBIs, 25 runs scored, five stolen bases, 29 walks, and 36 strikeouts over 168 plate appearances. On the other side of the ball, he made 23 starts in right field, six starts at first base, two starts in left field, and five starts at DH for the Drillers.

    As part of a whirlwind first full professional season, Tibbs slashed .243/.373/.429 with 17 doubles, four triples, 20 home runs, 71 RBIs, 82 runs scored, 10 stolen bases, 90 walks, and 120 strikeouts in 123 total games (562 plate appearances) between High-A Eugene and two Double-A affiliates. He is currently regarded by Baseball America as Los Angeles’ No. 26 prospect and is likely ticketed for a return to Tulsa out of the gate next spring.

    Ehrhard, meanwhile, was ranked by Baseball America as the Red Sox’ No. 29 prospect after being selected by the club for a second time in the fourth round of the 2024 draft out of Oklahoma State. Like Tibbs, Ehrhard was in Portland (where he was teammates with his older brother, Drew) when the trade for May was made and reported to Tulsa shortly thereafter.

    In a similar fashion to Tibbs, Ehrhard flipped a switch after being dealt to the Dodgers and suiting up for the Drillers. The right-handed hitting 22-year-old batted .282/.391/.466 with seven doubles, one triple, five home runs, 20 RBIs, 32 runs scored, 14 stolen bases, 21 walks, and 21 strikeouts in 34 games (161 plate appearances) for the Texas League affiliate. Defensively, he made 23 starts in center field, five starts in left field, and six starts at DH.

    Altogether, Ehrhard slashed .272/.374/.439 with 30 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs, 65 RBIs, 85 runs scored, 37 stolen bases, 67 walks, and 97 strikeouts in 123 total games (538 plate appearances) between High-A Greenville and two Double-A affiliates in 2025. He is currently regarded by Baseball America as Los Angeles’ No. 27 prospect and, like Tibbs, is presumably in line to return to Tulsa for the start of the 2026 campaign.

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

    Which two prospects did Red Sox trade to Dodgers for Dustin May?

    Before Thursday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline struck, the Red Sox added to their rotation depth by swinging a last-minute deal with the reigning World Series champion Dodgers.

    In exchange for right-hander Dustin May, who is eligible for free agency at season’s end, Boston sent minor league first baseman/outfielder James Tibbs III and minor league outfielder Zach Ehrhard to Los Angeles. Fellow righty Tanner Houck was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room for May on the 40-man roster, the club announced.

    Tibbs’ tenure in the Red Sox organization ended up being short-lived. The 22-year-old was acquired from the Giants alongside right-hander Jordan Hicks, left-hander Kyle Harrison, and minor league righty Jose Bello in the blockbuster trade that sent star slugger Rafael Devers (and the remainder of his contract) to San Francisco on June 15. He was ranked by both Baseball America and SoxProspects.com as Boston’s No. 10 prospect, while MLB Pipeline had him at No. 5.

    Originally selected by the Giants with the 13th overall pick in last summer’s draft out of Florida State, Tibbs (who received a $4,747,500 million signing bonus) was playing at the High-A level at the time of the trade but received a bump up to Double-A Portland upon switching organizations for the first time in his young career. The left-handed hitter then batted .207/.319/.267 with two doubles, one triple, one home run, seven RBIs, 16 runs scored, two stolen bases, 19 walks, and 39 strikeouts in 30 games (138 plate appearances) for the Sea Dogs.

    Defensively, Tibbs saw playing time at three different positions in his brief stint with Portland. The 6-foot, 201-pound Georgia native made 17 starts in right field, five starts in left field, and five starts at first base, recording four assists and committing two errors in 69 total chances. He also made three starts at DH.

    Ehrhard, on the other hand, was ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 29 prospect, while MLB Pipeline had him at No. 27 and SoxProspects.com had him at No. 30. Twice-drafted by the Red Sox, the 22-year-old signed with the club for $500,000 as a fourth-round selection coming out of Oklahoma State last summer. His older brother, Drew, had joined the organization as an undrafted free agent out of Division II Tampa in July 2023.

    After struggling somewhat in his professional debut last season, Ehrhard hit the ground running out of camp this spring. The speedy right-handed hitter slashed a stout .342/.471/.459 with 10 doubles, one home run, 22 RBIs, 24 runs scored, seven stolen bases, 26 walks, and 27 strikeouts in 31 games (140 plate appearances) for High-A Greenville before receiving a promotion to Portland in late May. He then batted .227/.305/.412 with 13 doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 23 RBIs, 29 runs scored, 16 stolen bases, 20 walks, and 49 strikeouts in 58 games (237 plate appearances) for the Sea Dogs, leading up to Thursday’s trade.

    On the other side of the ball, Ehrhard saw playing time at all three outfield positions between his stops in Greenville and Portland this year. With the Sea Dogs in particular, the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Florida native made 28 starts in right field, 20 starts in left field, and three starts in center, recording one assist without committing an error in 98 total defensive chances. He also made six starts at DH.

    Tibbs, who does not turn 23 until October, and Ehrhard, who does not turn 23 until next January, have been assigned to the Dodgers’ Double-A affiliate in Tulsa, Okla., and will presumably report to the Drillers in the coming days. They join corner infielder Blaze Jordan, who was dealt to the Cardinals for lefty Steven Matz late Wednesday night, as the three prospects the Red Sox parted ways with at this year’s trade deadline.

    “We obviously didn’t get to know James Tibbs as well as Blaze and Zach, but feel like they are really good baseball players,” Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow told reporters (including MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith) earlier Thursday evening. “They are going to go on to have successful careers. Each does something that we like, whether it’s James’ contact. Zach has started to hit the ball pretty hard, really good defender in the outfield. Blaze obviously has been performing really, really well in Triple-A this year.

    “But you have to be willing to give up good players in order to execute deals. We obviously have found that out, and we’re willing to do so,” he continued. “But it felt like the additions of Matz and May were worthwhile, just given the position of our major league team right now.”

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

    Red Sox prospect James Tibbs III (acquired in Rafael Devers trade) homers for first time with new organization

    Red Sox first base/outfield prospect James Tibbs III hit his first home run since being acquired from the Giants as part of last month’s blockbuster Rafael Devers trade in Double-A Portland’s series finale against New Hampshire on Sunday afternoon.

    Batting third and starting at first base for the Sea Dogs at Hadlock Field, Tibbs homered off Fisher Cats starter (and top Blue Jays pitching prospect) Trey Yesavage with one runner on and two outs in the bottom of the third inning. The ball left his bat at 102.3 mph and traveled over the center field wall to give his side a 3-2 lead.

    Tibbs finished the day going 2-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs scored, one walk, and one strikeout as Portland fell to New Hampshire, 10-5. The left-handed hitting 22-year-old is now batting .286/.378/.397 (127 wRC+) with two doubles, one triple, one home run, five RBIs, 10 runs scored, two stolen bases, nine walks, and 15 strikeouts in 16 games (74 plate appearances) for the Sea Dogs.

    Defensively, Tibbs has been splitting his playing time with Portland between first base and right field. In addition to making three starts at first base, the 6-foot, 201-pounder has logged 107 innings in right field, where he has recorded one assist and committed one error in 23 chances. He has also started one game at DH.

    Tibbs was one of four players the Red Sox acquired from the Giants for Devers (and the remainder of his $313.5 million contract) in a stunning move on June 15, joining left-hander Kyle Harrison, right-hander Jordan Hicks, and pitching prospect Jose Bello. The Georgia native was selected by San Francisco with the 13th overall pick in last summer’s draft out of Florida State (where he earned 2024 ACC Player of the Year honors). He netted a $4,747,500 signing bonus and was playing for High-A Eugene at he time he was traded, so he received a promotion upon switching organizations for the first time in his young career.

    Tibbs, who does not turn 23 until October, is currently regarded by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 9 prospect, while MLB Pipeline has him ranked sixth and SoxProspects.com has him ranked eighth.

    Looking ahead, Tibbs is batting second and starting in right field for Portland in Tuesday’s series opener against Hartford at Hadlock Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. eastern time.

    (Picture of James Tibbs III: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

    Which two prospects did Red Sox acquire from Giants in blockbuster Rafael Devers trade?

    In an absolutely stunning turn of events, the Red Sox have traded superstar designated hitter Rafael Devers to the Giants, the club announced earlier Sunday evening.

    In exchange for Devers, who is in the second season of a 10-year, $315.5 million contract extension, Boston acquired left-hander Kyle Harrison, right-hander Jordan Hicks, minor-league outfielder James Tibbs III, and minor-league right-hander Jose Bello from San Francisco.

    Harrison has been optioned to Triple-A Worcester, while fellow southpaw Zach Penrod was designated for assignment to make room on the Red Sox’ 40-man roster, which is back at full capacity.

    As for the two prospects Boston acquired in this blockbuster deal, Tibbs stands out given the fact that he was just selected by San Francisco with the 13th overall pick, one pick after the Red Sox took Braden Montgomery (who was subsequently dealt to the White Sox in the Garrett Crochet trade), in the 2024 draft out of Florida State. The Georgia native received a $4,747,500 signing bonus and made his professional debut with Low-A San Jose last August.

    Tibbs was ranked by Baseball America as the No. 3 prospect in the Giants’ farm system. The left-handed hitting 22-year-old spent the first two-plus months of the 2025 season with High-A Eugene, batting .246/.379/.478 with 10 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 32 RBIs, 41 runs scored, three stolen bases, 42 walks, and 45 strikeouts in 57 games (256 plate appearances) for the Emeralds. That includes a .316/.458/.553 slash line against left-handed pitching and a .231/.361/.462 slash line against right-handed pitching.

    Defensively, Tibbs has seen the vast majority of his playing time as a professional to this point come in right field. The 6-foot, 201-pounder logged 402 1/3 innings in right for Eugene this year, recording five assists without committing an error in 87 chances. He also made nine starts at DH.

    Tibbs, who does not turn 23 until October, is being assigned to Double-A Portland, according to Andrew Parker of Beyond the Monster. The Sea Dogs open a six-game homestand against the Akron RubberDucks at Hadlock Field on Tuesday night.

    Bello, meanwhile, was not ranked among San Francisco’s top 30 prospects by Baseball America or MLB Pipeline. The 20-year-old righty originally signed with the Giants as an international free agent coming out of the Dominican Republic in January 2023. He made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League shortly thereafter, spending the better part of two seasons there before moving up to the Arizona Complex League last July.

    In eight appearances for the ACL Giants to begin the 2025 campaign, Bello posted a 2.00 ERA and 1.91 FIP with 28 strikeouts to three walks over 18 innings of relief. Opposing hitters batted .156 against the projectable 6-foot-1, 164-pound hurler, who currently features a four-pitch mix that consists of an upper-90s fastball, a cutter, a slider, and a changeup, per a brief Baseball America scouting report.

    Bello, who just turned 20 late last month, has been assigned to the Florida Complex League Red Sox. With that being said, it would not be surprising if he received a promotion to Low-A Salem in due time.

    (Picture of Rafael Devers: Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)