Tag: jedixson paez

Red Sox lose pitching prospect Jedixson Paez to White Sox in Rule 5 Draft

The Red Sox lost pitching prospect Jedixson Paez to the White Sox in the major league phase of Wednesday’s Rule 5 Draft.

Paez was taken by Chicago with the second overall pick. The White Sox will now be tasked with keeping the right-hander, who turns 22 next month, on their active roster for the entire 2026 season (barring an injured list stint). If not, they will have to offer him back to the Red Sox for $50,000 (half of the $100,000 selection fee) should he clear waivers.

Hailing from Venezuela, Paez originally signed with the Red Sox for $450,000 as an international free agent in January 2021. The Tinaquillo native made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League shortly thereafter and was later named Boston’s Latin Program Pitcher of the Year. Since making the jump stateside in 2022, he has steadily climbed the organizational ladder.

After first reaching High-A last May, Paez returned to Greenville for the start of the 2025 campaign as Baseball America’s 21st-ranked Red Sox prospect. Due to a right calf strain suffered in late April, however, the righty spent nearly four months on the injured list before returning to action in mid-August. When on the mound, though, he posted a 2.79 ERA (4.32 FIP) with 23 strikeouts to three walks in seven starts (19 1/3 innings) for the Drive. Opposing hitters in the South Atlantic League batted .228 against him.

Despite having yet to pitch above the High-A level, Paez was an enticing option for the White Sox given his advanced feel for command and control, as evidenced by his career 3.9 percent walk rate in 307 2/3 minor league innings. Baseball America even described the 6-foot-1, 170-pound hurler as having “arguably the best control” among Rule 5-eligible pitchers.

“Nothing he throws is plus,” Baseball America wrote of Paez. “But he locates his 91-92 mph fastball, curveball, sweeper, and slider, while his mid-80s changeup is an above-average pitch with plenty of fade. …Paez could be more than a bulk-inning reliever if he gains a bit more velocity, but his control and varied arsenal give him survival skills if picked.”

Paez was one of several intriguing prospects left off Boston’s 40-man roster ahead of last month’s deadline to protect Rule 5-eligible players. The Red Sox instead elected to add lefty Shane Drohan and righties David Sandlin and Tyler Uberstine.

(Picture of Jedixson Paez: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

How did Red Sox pitching prospect Jedixson Paez fare in 2024?

Red Sox pitching prospect Jedixson Paez was the youngest in the organization to reach the century mark in strikeouts this season.

Paez, 20, struck out 113 of the 390 batters he faced in 2024. The young right-hander posted a 3.17 ERA (3.17 FIP) with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 113:12 in 22 appearances (12 starts) spanning a career-high 96 2/3 innings between Low-A Salem and High-A Greenville. Opponents batted .258 against him.

In seven outings (five starts) to open the season, Paez pitched to a 2.53 ERA (2.17 FIP) with 35 strikeouts to four walks over 32 innings for Salem. He was promoted in late May and subsequently produced a 3.48 ERA (3.67 FIP) with 78 strikeouts to eight walks in 15 outings (seven starts) spanning 64 2/3 innings for Greenville.

Among the 70 pitchers who threw at least 60 innings in the South Atlantic League this year, Paez led in walks per nine innings (1.11), walk rate (3.1 percent), swinging-strike rate (17.8 percent), and xFIP (2.70). He also ranked ninth in WHIP (1.05), 17th in strikeout rate (30.2 percent), 23rd in groundball rate (45.2 percent) and strikeouts per nine innings (10.86), 26th in FIP, and 29th in ERA, per FanGraphs.

A native of Venezuela, Paez originally signed with the Red Sox for $450,000 as an international free agent coming out of Tinaquillo in January 2021. He made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League shortly after that and was later recognized as the organization’s Latin Program Pitcher of the Year.

Since then, there is no denying that Paez has emerged as one of the more intriguing pitching prospects in Boston’s farm system given his strong command-and-control profile. Red Sox assistant general manager acknowledged as much when speaking with MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith back in July.

“He’s always had this incredible poise and just an advanced feel,” Romero said of Paez. “It’s always been like that — strike-throwing ability over high velo or pure off-the-charts stuff. But his pitchability is incredible. We’ve seen the velo tick up now into the low 90s. Really good feel for a breaking ball. He has a four- or five-pitch mix that he really controls and commands really well. And that’s been kind of what has driven his success.”

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, Paez complements his lower-90s fastball that tops out at 94 mph with an 84-86 mph changeup, an 80-83 mph slider, a 78-80 mph curveball, and an 86-88 mph cutter. The athletic righty throws these offerings from a three-quarters arm slot and can manipulate them effectively while attacking the strike zone.

“Now that he’s physically getting stronger we are seeing that velo start to tick up a little bit,” said Romero. “So he’s really exciting. A true starter in every sense. … He does a lot of the little things like he fields the position really well and holds runners well. So he’s mature in a lot of ways.”

Paez, who turns 21 in January, is currently regarded by SoxProspects.com as the No. 29 prospect in Boston’s farm system, which ranks 15th among pitchers in the organization. While Baseball America does not have him ranked among the Red Sox’ top 30 prospects, FanGraphs has him at No. 8 and MLB Pipeline has him at No. 23 on their respective lists.

If he remains with the Red Sox through the offseason, Paez is projected by SoxProspects.com to return to Greenville for the start of the 2025 minor-league campaign. He can then become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft for the first time next winter.

(Picture of Jedixson Paez: Gwinn Davis/Greenville Drive)

Red Sox promote prospects Jhostynxon Garcia, Jedixson Paez to High-A Greenville

The Red Sox have promoted outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia and right-hander Jedixson Paez from Low-A Salem to High-A Greenville, according to the club’s MiLB.com transactions log.

Garcia and Paez are currently ranked by SoxProspects.com as the Nos. 35 and 47 prospects in Boston’s farm system. The pair of Venezuelans originally signed with the Red Sox as international free agents in July 2019 and January 2021, respectively.

Garcia, 21, batted .258/.365/.517 with six doubles, one triple, a team-leading five home runs, 19 RBIs, 20 runs scored, 14 stolen bases, 15 walks, and 25 strikeouts over 24 games (104 plate appearances) for Salem to begin the 2024 season. The right-handed hitter was sidelined for over two weeks (from late April through early May) with a left hamstring strain but still maintained his status as one of the Red Sox’ top power threats upon returning to action.

Among 109 Carolina League hitters who have made at least 100 trips to the plate this year, Garcia ranks 21st in walk rate (14.4 percent), 34th in batting average, 28th in on-base percentage, fourth in slugging percentage and OPS (.882), first in isolated power (.258), third in speed score (8.2), and sixth in wRC+ (152), per FanGraphs.

On the other side of the ball, Garcia made 12 starts in center field and nine starts in right field for Salem. The 6-foot, 163-pounder committed one error and recorded one outfield assist (both from center) in 39 total defensive chances between the two spots. He has past experience in left field as well.

Garcia, who does not turn 22 until December, will join an outfield mix in Greenville that already includes the likes of Allan Castro, Kristian Campbell, Miguel Ugueto, and Bryan Gonzalez. He should provide the Drive with additional depth in the absences of Juan Chacon and Caden Rose, who are both currently on the 7-day injured list.

Paez, meanwhile, posted a 2.53 ERA (2.28 FIP) with 35 strikeouts to four walks in seven appearances (five starts) spanning 32 innings for Salem this season. The 20-year-old righty was used as a bulk reliever in his last two times out and went four innings in each outing, allowing a total of three runs (two earned) on 11 hits, one walk, and five punchouts.

Among 48 pitchers in the Carolina League who have accrued at least 30 innings this year, Paez ranks 16th in strikeouts per nine innings (9.84), third in walks per nine innings (1.13), walk rate (3 percent), and swinging-strike rate (16.7 percent), 18th in strikeout rate (26.5 percent), 14th in groundball rate (47.2 percent), ninth in ERA, and second in FIP and xFIP (.251), per FanGraphs. He also leads that group with a .380 batting average on balls put in play, which suggests that the defense behind him has struggled at times.

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, Paez throws from a three-quarters arm slot and has some effort in his delivery. As noted in his SoxProspects.com scouting report, the young hurler operates with a three-pitch mix that consists of an 89-91 mph fastball that tops out at 92 mph, a 76-79 mph curveball, and an 82-84 mph changeup.

Paez, who does not turn 21 until next January, is slated to join a rotation mix in Greenville that includes the likes of the recently-activated Yordanny Monegro, Dalton Rogers, Juan Daniel Encarnacion, Cooper Adams, Connelly Early, and Hayden Mullins.

(Picture of Jedixson Paez: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox pitching prospect Jedixson Paez has advanced feel, ‘remarkable’ command for his age

Red Sox pitching prospect Jedixson Paez was one of just eight teenagers to throw 50 or more innings in the Carolina League last season.

Paez, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Wednesday, emerged as a steady presence on the mound for Low-A Salem in 2023. The then-19-year-old right-hander posted a 3.31 ERA and 3.69 FIP with 73 strikeouts to just 12 walks in 18 outings (16 starts) spanning 84 1/3 innings of work.

Trailing only Jose Ramirez, who has since been scooped up by the White Sox in the minor-league phase of last month’s Rule 5 Draft, for the team lead in innings pitched, Paez initially got his year off to a rough start and wound up hitting the injured list with shoulder stiffness after giving up a season-worst nine runs (six earned) in four innings as part of a 13-4 loss to the Lynchburg Hillcats in April.

Upon returning to action in mid-May, however, Paez seemingly turned a corner and carried with him a 3.04 ERA (3.60 FIP) over his next 11 starts (50 1/3 innings) through the end of July. After being selected as SoxProspects.com’s Pitcher of the Month for July, the righty produced a 2.65 ERA in three August starts (17 innings) before moving to Salem’s bullpen for the season’s final stretch.

Operating in a bulk relief role in games against the Fredericksburg Nationals (Aug. 27) and Augusta GreenJackets (September 3), Paez yielded a total of three runs (two earned) on nine hits, zero walks, one hit batsman, and nine punchouts over nine frames.

Altogether, it was a solid showing for Paez, who was recognized as a 2023 SoxProspects.com All-Star. Among the 28 other pitchers who eclipsed the 80-inning threshold in the Carolina League last year, Paez ranked first in walks per nine innings (1.28) and walk rate (3.6 percent), second in WHIP (1.01) and groundball rate (49.4 percent), ninth in batting average against (.228), and 10th in swinging-strike rate (14.3 percent), per FanGraphs.

A native of Venezuela, Paez originally signed with the Red Sox as an international free agent around this same time three years ago. The Tinaquillo native received the highest bonus ($450,000) of any pitcher Boston brought in during the 2021 signing period and made the most of his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League (3.86 ERA in 13 starts) to earn organizational Latin Program Pitcher of the Year honors.

After pitching about once a week in the Florida Complex League in 2022, Paez stuck to a similar schedule with Salem last year and subsequently experienced an uptick in fastball velocity. To complement his fastball, which sits between 89-91 mph and tops out at 92 mph, the 6-foot-1, 170-pound hurler also mixes in a 76-79 mph curveball that features 10-to-5 break and an 82-84 mph changeup that shows late dive.

Paez is currently regarded by SoxProspects.com as the No. 39 prospect in Boston’s farm system, which ranks 17th among pitchers in the organization. Another notable evaluator, Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs, tabbed Paez as his 35th-ranked Red Sox prospect over the summer and compared him to a former big-leaguer.

“Paez is Vance Worley with a shorter arm action,” Longenhagen wrote last June. “An athletic little righty with a sinking/tailing fastball that runs off the hip of lefty batters and back into the zone. He doesn’t throw very hard, he isn’t especially projectable, and he’s already liberally mixing in his secondaries just to get by in the lower levels of the minors, but Paez has remarkable command for a 19-year-old and his fastball/changeup duo diverge from his slider in a way that keeps the baseball off the barrel.”

Barring a trade or other surprising move, Paez is expected to make the jump to High-A Greenville for the start of the 2024 minor-league season. As others have pointed out, Paez would benefit from adding more velocity to his arsenal as he continues to rise through the prospect ranks. Given how the Red Sox have overhauled their pitching infrastructure under chief baseball officer Craig Breslow this winter, that could be within reach.

(Picture of Jedixson Paez: Gary Streiffer/Flickr)

Who is Jedixson Paez? Red Sox prospect was named team’s Latin Program Pitcher of the Year in 2021

Last season, the Red Sox had 39 minor-league pitchers who threw at least 50 innings at their respective levels. One of those 39 was young pitching prospect Jedixson Paez.

Paez, who turned 18 in January, spent the entirety of the 2021 campaign in the Dominican Summer League as a 17-year-old. In 13 starts for the DSL Red Sox Blue affiliate, the right-hander posted a 2.86 ERA and 3.79 FIP to go along with 49 strikeouts to just nine walks over 50 1/3 innings of work.

Among all qualified hurlers in the DSL last year, Paez ranked 11th in walks per nine innings (1.61), ninth in walk rate (4.4%), 22nd in WHIP (1.03),31st in swinging strike rate (36.7%), and 26th in xFIP (3.12), per FanGraphs.

The Red Sox originally signed Paez as an international free agent out of Venezuela for $450,000 last January, making the Tinaquillo native one of the more notable additions from Boston’s 2021 signing class.

With 2021 marking his first exposure to pro ball, it is noteworthy that Paez was named the Sox’ Latin Program Pitcher of the Year back in September. Around that same time, SoxProspects.com’s director of scouting Ian Cundall wrote that the righty “has the potential to be an interesting long-term prospect” if he can continue “to add strength and improve the velocity on his pitches.”

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, Paez clearly still has plenty of room to grow both physically and developmentally. According to his SoxProspects.com scouting report, Paez throws from a three-quarters arm slot and works with a fastball that hovers around 84-86 mph and a curveball that sits at 69-71 mph.

Coming into the 2022 season, Paez is not regarded by any major publication as one of the top pitching prospects in Boston’s farm system. He did, however, receive a shoutout from FanGraphs’ Kevin Goldstein and Tess Taruskin last week for being projectable, having advanced command, and “promising” secondary stuff.

On that note, Paez is projected by SoxProspects.com to begin his age-18 season in the rookie-level Florida Complex League later this summer. It should be fascinating to see how he handles the transition from the Dominican Republic to the United States.

(Picture of Jedixson Paez via his Instagram)