Tag: pitching prospects

How Red Sox prospect Dylan Brown earned organization’s 2026 Minor League Pitcher of the Year award

After a successful first full professional season, Dylan Brown was recognized as the Red Sox’ 2026 Minor League Pitcher of the Year during pre-game festivities at Fenway Park last Friday night.

Brown earned the honor roughly 14 months after being selected by the Red Sox in the eighth round of the 2025 draft out of Old Dominion. As the 238th overall pick, the Pennsylvania native received an at-slot $229,000 signing bonus, though he did not make his pro debut until this season.

In early April, Brown broke camp with Low-A Salem and served as the RidgeYaks’ Opening Day starter. The 22-year-old left-hander made five starts there, posting a 2.31 ERA with 32 strikeouts to 13 walks over 23 1/3 innings in which opponents batted just .185 against him. He was promptly rewarded with a promotion to High-A Greenville shortly after the calendar flipped to May.

Brown had some growing pains at the new level, but still produced encouraging results. He made 17 appearances (16 starts) for the Drive over the season’s final four months, pitching to a 3.78 ERA with 111 strikeouts to 24 walks across 83 1/3 innings in which opponents batted .250 against him. That includes a 3.38 ERA in eight starts (40 innings) following the All-Star break in July.

Altogether, Brown forged a 3.46 ERA with an organizational-high 143 strikeouts to 37 walks in 22 outings (21 starts) spanning 106 2/3 innings between Salem and Greenville this season. He limited the opposition to a .236/.307/.328 line in 444 plate appearances, proving particularly difficult against right-handed hitters (.215/.284/.309) in a case of reverse splits.

One of seven Red Sox minor leaguers to surpass the century mark in innings pitched this year, Brown led that group in ERA, FIP (2.62), groundball rate (55.1%), opponents’ batting average, strikeouts per nine (12.07), strikeout rate (32.2%), swinging-strike rate (16.3%), and xFIP (3.20). He also ranked second in WHIP (1.23) and third in walks per nine (2.72), according to FanGraphs.

What makes Brown so effective is his delivery. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound lefty starts on the third-base side of the rubber, then steps towards first base before cutting across his body. He operates with a four-pitch mix consisting of a 91-94 mph fastball that can reach 95 mph, an 88-89 mph cutter, an 81-85 mph slider, and an 82-84 mph changeup.

Brown, who will not turn 23 until next June, is currently regarded by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 26 prospect, ranking 11th among pitchers in the organization. Barring a trade or other surprise move this winter, he is an early candidate to open the 2027 season in Double-A Portland’s starting rotation.

Such an assignment would put Brown up against more advanced competition in the upper minors. With that in mind, it could prove useful for the tall southpaw to continue working to add velocity while rounding out his repertoire as his development progresses.

(Picture of Dylan Brown: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

How top Red Sox pitching prospect Sadbiel Delzine fared in 2026 stateside debut

If Franklin Primera had the best stateside debut of any Red Sox position-playing prospect this season, then Sadbiel Delzine had the best stateside debut of any of the organization’s pitching prospects.

Delzine originally signed with the Red Sox for $500,000 last January, receiving the largest signing bonus of any pitcher in the club’s 2025 international free agent class. Unlike his fellow countryman Primera, the Venezuelan native had plenty of eyes on him when he made his professional debut.

Due to a mild flexor strain, however, Delzine was limited to just 9 1/3 innings in the Dominican Summer League as a 17-year-old last season. The young right-hander showed flashes in that small sample, striking out nine and walking only one before being shut down, with the Red Sox wanting him to focus more on strengthening his shoulder and arm.

After using the offseason to add strength to his already sizable frame, Delzine — who turned 18 in January — arrived stateside in 2026 and came out of the gate firing in the rookie-level Florida Complex League. In 11 outings (seven starts) for the FCL Red Sox, he posted a 2.72 ERA with 43 strikeouts to 18 walks over 39 2/3 innings, limiting opponents to a .170 batting average.

That strong showing earned Delzine his first full-season assignment in a promotion to Low-A Salem in late July. From there, he closed out the year by posting a 2.52 ERA with 36 strikeouts to six walks in seven starts (25 innings) for the RidgeYaks. Opposing hitters in the Carolina League batted .219 against him.

Altogether, then, Delzine forged a 2.64 ERA with 79 strikeouts to 24 walks over 18 outings (14 starts) spanning 64 2/3 total innings between the FCL and Salem, with opponents slashing .190/.278/.249 in 267 plate appearances against him. He held right-handed hitters to a .221/.291/.311 line and left-handed hitters to a .158/.267/.184 line.

Among 36 Red Sox minor leaguers who, regardless of level, logged at least 60 innings this season, Delzine ranked second in ERA, third in batting average against, FIP (3.32), and WHIP (1.07), 10th in walks per nine (3.34), 11th in strikeout rate (29.6%) and xFIP (4.09), 12th in swinging-strike rate (13.5%), and 13th in strikeouts per nine (10.99) and walk rate (9%), according to FanGraphs.

Delzine, now standing at approximately 6-foot-5 and weighing between 235 and 255 pounds, is currently ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 8 prospect, second among pitchers in the organization behind only Juan Valera. As noted in the publication’s scouting report, the burly hurler features a four-pitch mix. He has been up to 99.8 mph with his mid-to-upper-90s fastball while also mixing in a mid-80s changeup, a low-80s curveball, and a mid-80s slider.

“Outside of his raw stuff and command, Delzine has some deception in his operation,” Baseball America’s Geoff Pontes wrote last month. “He hides the ball well due to an accentuated pause in his layback. This motion tucks the ball behind his back hip, messing with batters’ timing.”

Like Primera, Delzine has the upside and ceiling to crack Baseball America’s top 100 list sooner rather than later. Barring a trade or other surprise move this winter, he is expected to return to Salem for the start of his age-19 campaign in 2027. That said, he should have the chance to work his way up to High-A Greenville before long.

(Picture of Sadbiel Delzine: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Former Red Sox prospect Anthony Eyanson named 2026 Eastern League Pitcher of the Year

Former Red Sox prospect Anthony Eyanson was named the 2026 Eastern League Pitcher of the Year by Minor League Baseball on Monday. Like his one-time teammates Franklin Arias and Brooks Brannon, he was also selected as an Eastern League All-Star.

Eyanson, the top prospect the Red Sox sent to the Orioles as part of the Adley Rutschman trade on August 3, made quite an impression in his first full professional season.

Selected by the Red Sox with the 87th overall pick in the 2025 draft out of Louisiana State via UC San Diego, Eyanson signed for a well-over-slot $1.75 million last July. Fresh off playing a key role in LSU’s national championship run, the California native did not immediately debut for an affiliate after signing.

Instead, as noted by The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, Eyanson embraced “the team’s strength and conditioning program as well as velocity training,” while also raising his arm slot “to create an average release height of about 6 1/2 feet.” Those adjustments paid dividends when Eyanson arrived in Fort Myers for his first spring training.

After earning All-Spring Breakout Second Team honors, Eyanson broke camp with High-A Greenville. The 21-year-old right-hander allowed just one earned run in five starts (20 1/3 innings) for the Drive, netting April’s South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month award before being promoted to Double-A Portland in early May.

Though he was not as dominant, Eyanson still managed a 1.69 ERA with 60 strikeouts to 23 walks in 11 outings (10 starts) spanning 48 innings for the Sea Dogs. He was selected to participate in the All-Star Futures Game on July 12, where he earned the win. Nineteen days later, he recorded the first 10-strikeout game of his professional career. Three days after that, he was one of five players dealt to the Orioles in the Rutschman blockbuster.

Eyanson remained in the Eastern League with Double-A Chesapeake after joining the Orioles organization. The young righty then closed out his 2026 campaign by posting a 2.03 ERA with 47 strikeouts to nine walks in six starts (31 innings) for the Baysox.

Between Portland and Bowie, then, Eyanson forged a sparkling 1.82 ERA with 107 strikeouts to 32 walks in 17 outings (16 starts) spanning 79 innings in which opponents batted .192 against him. Among 46 Eastern League pitchers who threw at least 75 innings this year, he led in ERA, strikeout rate (34.6%), swinging-strike rate (17.9%), and xFIP (3.26). He also ranked second in opponents’ batting average, third in FIP (3.30) and WHIP (1.08), fourth in strikeouts per nine (12.19), and seventh in groundball rate (51.5%), according to FanGraphs.

Overall, Eyanson posted a 1.54 ERA (2.93 FIP) with 141 strikeouts to 35 walks in 22 total outings (21 starts) and 99 1/3 innings between High-A and Double-A this season. Opposing hitters slashed .175/.255/.277 in 380 plate appearances against him altogether.

Eyanson, who turns 22 next month, is currently ranked by MLB Pipeline as Baltimore’s No. 2 prospect and the No. 46 prospect in baseball. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound hurler was up to 92-95 mph with his fastball this season after reaching triple digits with it in spring training. He also features a tight mid-80s slider, an upper-70s curveball, an upper-80s cutter, and a mid-80s splitter.

In addition to winning Eastern League Pitcher of the Year, Eyanson is also up for Minor League Baseball’s 2026 Pitching Prospect of the Year and Minor League Debut of the Year. The winners will be determined as part of next Monday’s fourth annual MiLB Awards show.

(Picture of Anthony Eyanson: Al Bello/Getty Images)

How former Red Sox pitching prospect Ben Hansen is faring since trade to A’s

With the Red Sox designating Brett Harris for assignment as part of a flurry of roster moves on Tuesday, it feels like an appropriate time to check in on the prospect Boston traded to the Athletics for the infielder two months ago.

On July 1, the Red Sox acquired Harris from the A’s for minor league right-hander Ben Hansen, whom Boston originally selected in the 20th and final round of the 2024 draft out of Brigham Young. At the time of the trade, he was not ranked among the organization’s top pitching prospects.

Hansen, who had spent all of 2026 to that point with High-A Greenville, reported to the Athletics’ High-A affiliate in Lansing and made his organizational debut on July 3. The 24-year-old made five appearances (one start) for the Lugnuts, allowing two earned runs on six hits, two walks, and nine strikeouts over 8 1/3 innings before being promoted to Double-A Midland on July 22.

In eight outings (three starts) for the RockHounds since then, Hansen has posted a 2.70 ERA with 31 strikeouts to 14 walks across 30 innings in which he has limited opponents to a .183 batting average. The righty was recognized as the Texas League Pitcher of the Week after striking out nine over 5 1/3 scoreless, no-hit frames of relief on August 23. He then followed that up by firing a career-high six innings of one-run ball on Sunday.

Among 149 pitchers who have thrown at least 30 innings in the Texas League this season, Hansen has the sixth-lowest FIP (3.20), the 10th-lowest ERA, the 12th-lowest opponents’ batting average, and the 15th-lowest WHIP (1.10). He also ranks 56th in xFIP (4.66), 62nd in groundball rate (44.6%), and 68th in both strikeout rate (25.6%) and walks per nine (4.20), according to FanGraphs.

Overall, Hansen has forged a 3.71 ERA (3.88 FIP) with 92 strikeouts to 30 walks over 26 outings (six starts) and 80 innings across two High-A stops (Greenville and Lansing) and Double-A this season. That represents an improvement from the 6.23 ERA (4.56 FIP) he logged in 60 2/3 innings with Low-A Salem during his professional debut last year.

Listed at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, Hansen gets good extension on his delivery. As Baseball America’s Ian Cundall noted in July, the California-born hurler operates with a 92-96 mph fastball that “plays above velocity” and “misses bats,” though it can be inconsistent. He also features a 76-78 mph curveball, a cutter, a sweeper, and a changeup.

As was the case during his time in the Red Sox system, Hansen — who does not turn 25 until next March — is not yet ranked among the Athletics’ premier pitching prospects. He is, however, expected to be part of the contingent the club send to the Arizona Fall League later this year, per Bill Moriarty of A’s Farm.

Coincidentally, prospects from both the Athletics and Red Sox organizations will be assigned to the same team this fall: the Mesa Solar Sox, potentially giving Hansen an opportunity to cross paths with some of his former teammates.

(Picture of Ben Hansen courtesy of the Midland RockHounds)

Red Sox promote pitching prospect Barrett Morgan to High-A Greenville

The Red Sox have promoted pitching prospect Barrett Morgan from Low-A Salem to High-A Greenville, per the MiLB.com transactions log.

Morgan is currently regarded by SoxProspects.com as Boston’s No. 39 prospect, ranking 15th among pitchers in the organization. The 21-year-old right-hander is in his first full professional season after being selected in the 11th round (328th overall) of last summer’s draft out of Cowley College (KS). Instead of transferring to Texas A&M, he signed with the Red Sox for an above-slot $500,000 bonus.

Morgan did not pitch for an affiliate after signing, instead debuting with Salem in early April. In 13 outings (nine starts) for the RidgeYaks, he posted a 2.74 ERA with 46 strikeouts to 18 walks over 46 innings. Opposing Carolina League hitters slashed .176/.258/.242 in 187 plate appearances against him.

After leaving his June 23 start against Myrtle Beach early, Morgan was placed on Salem’s 7-day injured list. The righty rehabbed in Fort Myers before returning to the RidgeYaks earlier this month. He last pitched on August 15, allowing one unearned run on one hit, one walk, and two strikeouts over two innings of relief against Delmarva.

Entering play Wednesday, Morgan was one of 102 pitchers who have thrown at least 45 innings in the Carolina League this season. Among those 102, he ranked fourth in batting average against, sixth in WHIP (1.02), eighth in FIP (3.18), 12th in line-drive rate (19%), 13th in ERA, 32nd in walks per nine (3.52), 36th in walk rate (9.6%), 40th in swinging-strike rate (12.4%), 43rd in strikeout rate (24.6%), and 51st in xFIP (4.43), according to FanGraphs.

Listed at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Morgan throws from a high-three-quarters arm slot and incorporates a high leg kick into his delivery. As noted in his SoxProspects.com scouting report, the Oklahoma-born hurler features a 92-95 mph fastball that has been up to 97 mph, an 87-89 mph cutter, a 79-83 mph curveball, and an 82-83 mph changeup.

Morgan, who does not turn 22 until next March, is the fourth pitcher from his draft class to make the jump from Salem to Greenville this season, joining eighth-rounder Dylan Brown, ninth-rounder Jacob Mayers, and 16th-rounder Jason Gilman. He should provide the playoff-hopeful Drive with additional pitching depth from the right side down the stretch.

(Picture of Barrett Morgan: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox promote pitching prospect Jedixson Paez to Triple-A Worcester

The Red Sox have promoted pitching prospect Jedixson Paez from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester, as first reported by SoxProspects.com’s Andrew Parker. He is scheduled to start for the WooSox and make his Triple-A debut on Thursday, according to The Worcester Telegram & Gazette’s Tommy Cassell.

Paez began the 2026 season with the White Sox after being selected by them in December’s Rule 5 Draft. The 22-year-old right-hander made Chicago’s Opening Day roster but struggled in three relief appearances, allowing six earned runs on four hits (including two home runs), three walks, and no strikeouts over three innings. He was designated for assignment on April 1 and returned to the Red Sox for $50,000 three days later.

Having never pitched above the High-A level before this season, it is not surprising that Paez had a rough time in his brief major league debut with the White Sox. After returning to the Red Sox, he reported to Portland and put together a solid four-month stretch leading up to Wednesday’s promotion.

In 17 appearances (seven starts) for the Sea Dogs, Paez posted a 4.41 ERA and 3.78 FIP with 56 strikeouts to just five walks over 49 innings. Eastern League opponents slashed .241/.264/.417 in 193 plate appearances against him. He has proven particularly effective when facing right-handed hitters, limiting them to a .233/.255/.388 line across the majors and minors this year.

Among 92 pitchers who entered play Wednesday having thrown at least 45 innings in the Eastern League this season, Paez ranked first in swinging-strike rate (19.3%), walks per nine (0.92), and walk rate (2.6%), third in xFIP (3.25), fifth in WHIP (1.02), 15th in strikeout rate (29%), 18th in FIP, 29th in groundball rate (46.2%), 31st in strikeouts per nine (10.29), and 38th in batting average against and ERA, per FanGraphs.

Originally signed for $450,000 as an international free agent out of Venezuela in January 2021, Paez is currently regarded by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 22 prospect, which ranks eighth among the organization’s pitchers. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound righty has made a name for himself thanks to a strong command-and-control profile. Stuff-wise, he features a 91-92 mph fastball that reaches 94 mph, an upper-80s cutter, a mid-80s changeup, a lower-80s slider, and an upper-70s curveball.

Now in Triple-A for the first time, Paez — who does not turn 23 until next January — has put himself in a position to get back to the majors with the Red Sox for the stretch run. At the very least, he can build a case for a spot on Boston’s 40-man roster this winter, which would keep him from being Rule 5-eligible for the second straight offseason.

(Picture of Jedixson Paez: Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Red Sox promote pitching prospect Jacob Mayers to High-A Greenville

The Red Sox have promoted pitching prospect Jacob Mayers from Low-A Salem to High-A Greenville, as was first reported by Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.

Mayers is currently regarded by SoxProspects.com as Boston’s No. 44 prospect, ranking 19th among the organization’s pitching prospects. The 22-year-old right-hander is making his professional debut this season after being selected by the Red Sox in the ninth round (268th overall) of last summer’s draft out of Louisiana State. He received a below-slot $190,000 signing bonus.

In 15 appearances (eight starts) for Salem to begin the 2026 campaign, Mayers posted a 4.27 ERA with 64 strikeouts to 42 walks over 46 1/3 innings. Opposing Carolina League hitters slashed .175/.363/.299 in 204 plate appearances against him.

Among 75 Carolina League pitchers who entered play Friday having thrown at least 45 innings this season, Mayers ranks second in batting average against, fourth in strikeouts per nine innings (12.43), fifth in strikeout rate (31.4%) and swinging-strike rate (16.3%), 19th in groundball rate (48.9%), and 35th in ERA. On the flip side, he also ranks 70th in walks per nine (8.16) and 74th in walk rate (20.6%), according to FanGraphs.

Standing at 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, Mayers throws from a high-three-quarters arm slot and operates with a three-pitch mix. The Louisiana-born hurler has been up to 96-97 mph with his upper-90s fastball this season after topping out at 101.8 mph with it in college. He also features an 88-91 mph slider and an 84-86 mph changeup, per his SoxProspects.com scouting report.

While Mayers — who just turned 22 last month — can miss bats at an exceptional rate, there are questions surrounding his ability to consistently throw strikes. If he can refine his command and control, he could elevate his stock even further as he looks to put the finishing touches on his first full season in pro ball.

(Picture of Jacob Mayers: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox promote pitching prospect Hayden Mullins to Triple-A Worcester

The Red Sox have promoted pitching prospect Hayden Mullins from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester, as was first reported by Tommy Cassell of The Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

Mullins was slated to start Worcester’s series opener against Rochester at Polar Park on Tuesday, but it was postponed due to inclement weather. The 25-year-old left-hander will now presumably get the starting nod and make his Triple-A debut in either Game 1 or 2 of Wednesday’s scheduled doubleheader.

Mullins is reaching the minors’ highest level for the first time following an up-and-down start to his season with Portland. In 12 outings (11 starts) for the Sea Dogs out of the gate, the southpaw posted a 5.85 ERA with 73 strikeouts to 31 walks over 47 2/3 innings in which Eastern League opponents batted .215 against him. That includes a .182 mark against left-handed hitters and a .236 mark against right-handed hitters.

Among 49 pitchers who entered play Tuesday having thrown at least 45 innings in the Eastern League this year, Mullins ranked first in strikeouts per nine (13.78), second in strikeout rate (34.8%), fourth in swinging-strike rate (15.7%), sixth in batting average against, 16th in FIP (4.16), and 17th in xFIP (4.13). On the flip side, he also ranked 28th in WHIP (1.43), 40th in ERA, and 46th in walks per nine (5.85) and walk rate (14.8%), according to FanGraphs.

Mullins is currently ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 21 prospect, placing 12th among the system’s pitchers. The Tennessee native was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 12th round (369th overall) of the 2022 draft out of Auburn. He signed for just $97,500 but did not make his professional debut until the following August, as he was recovering from the Tommy John surgery that cut his junior season short.

After splitting the remainder of the 2023 campaign between the Florida Complex League and Low-A Salem, Mullins spent all of 2024 and the first part of 2025 with High-A Greenville before arriving at Portland last April. He fared well in his first stint with the Sea Dogs despite missing time in May due to shoulder fatigue, forging a 2.44 ERA across 18 starts (84 2/3 innings) en route to being recognized as the team’s Pitcher of the Year.

Even in light of that production, Mullins was somewhat surprisingly left off the Red Sox’ 40-man roster last November, leaving him available to other clubs in December’s Rule 5 Draft. He did not get picked, however, and remains in the organization without occupying a 40-man spot.

Listed at 6-foot and 194 pounds, Mullins possesses plus extension and features a 93-94 mph fastball that is capable of reaching 96 mph. The lefty also mixes in an 81-85 mph slider, a 77-80 mph sweeper, an 81-83 mph changeup, and a recently-implemented cutter. His secondaries are considered by Baseball America to be “inconsistent,” even though they “can all miss bats.”

Mullins, who turns 26 in September, can once again become Rule 5-eligible this winter if he is not added to Boston’s 40-man roster by the November protection deadline. Barring a trade or another move between now and then, he can further strengthen his case for a roster spot with a strong showing down the stretch at Worcester.

(Picture of Hayden Mullins: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox prospect Blake Wehunt earns second consecutive Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honor

Red Sox pitching prospect Blake Wehunt has once again been named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

Wehunt, who took home the honor last week, turned in another award-winning performance for Double-A Portland on Sunday afternoon. Despite issuing four walks and hitting one batter in his start against Altoona, the 25-year-old right-hander struck out nine and allowed just one hit over five scoreless innings at Hadlock Field.

Finishing with 89 pitches (47 strikes), Wehunt generated 11 whiffs and topped out at 96.2 mph with his fastball. He also earned the win as the Sea Dogs blanked the Curve, 10-0, behind four additional scoreless, one-hit frames of relief from fellow righty Jedixson Paez, who fanned eight to record his first professional save.

Following Sunday’s outing, Wehunt is now 4-4 with a 3.38 ERA and a 66-to-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio through 12 starts (48 innings) for Portland this season. After missing time in April with a left hamstring strain, he has limited Eastern League opponents to a .230 batting average. That includes a .267 clip against left-handed hitters and a .196 clip against right-handed hitters.

Among the 49 pitchers who have thrown at least 45 innings in the Eastern League this year, Wehunt ranks third in strikeouts per nine (12.38), strikeout rate (33.7%), and xFIP (3.37), sixth in WHIP (1.19), seventh in ERA, eighth in FIP (3.59), 10th in batting average against, 15th in walks per nine (3.00), 16th in groundball rate (45.5%), and 17th in walk rate (8.2%), according to FanGraphs.

Wehunt is regarded by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 22 prospect, ranking 13th among the system’s pitchers. The Georgia-born chicken farmer was originally selected by the Red Sox in the ninth round (268th overall) of the 2023 draft out of Kennesaw State. He signed for just $100,000 that July and quickly climbed the organizational ladder during his first full professional season in 2024 before a lat strain limited him to 63 1/3 innings with Portland last year.

In addition to a mid-90s fastball that can reach 97 mph, the 6-foot-7, 240-pound Wehunt features a wide-ranging group of secondary offerings, including an 89-91 mph cutter, an 83-86 mph sweeper, and an 85-87 mph splitter. His other secondaries are considered by Baseball America to be “more change-of-pace pitches that can be effective in sequence.”

Wehunt, who turns 26 in November, is the first player in Portland franchise history to earn Eastern League Player/Pitcher of the Week honors in consecutive weeks. Given his recent success — along with the fact that he will become Rule 5-eligible after the season if he is not added to Boston’s 40-man roster — a promotion to Triple-A Worcester would appear to be a logical next step in his development.

(Picture of Blake Wehunt courtesy of the Portland Sea Dogs)

Red Sox prospect Blake Wehunt named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week

Red Sox pitching prospect Blake Wehunt has been named the Eastern League Pitcher of the week for the week of June 22-28, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

Wehunt dazzled for Double-A Portland in Sunday’s series finale against Hartford on the road. Pitching for the first time in 12 days, the 25-year-old right-hander allowed just one hit and no walks while striking out eight over six scoreless innings at Dunkin’ Park. He retired 18 of the 19 batters he faced on 71 pitches (50 strikes), generating seven whiffs and topping out at 95.5 mph with his fastball as the Sea Dogs blanked the Yard Goats, 6-0.

Following a rough 2026 debut in which he was tagged for three runs in one-third of an inning, Wehunt went on the 7-day injured list with a left hamstring strain on April 4. Since returning to the mound on April 22, the righty has forged a 3.16 ERA with 57 strikeouts to 11 walks over his last 10 starts (42 2/3 innings) for Portland.

Altogether, Wehunt owns a 3.77 ERA with 57 strikeouts to 12 walks through 11 starts (43 innings) for the Sea Dogs this season. He has held opponents to a .245/.301/.387 clip. That consists of a .295/.368/.436 line against left-handed hitters and a .200/.236/.341 line against right-handed hitters.

Among the 55 pitchers who have thrown at least 40 innings in the Eastern League this year, Wehunt ranks fourth in strikeouts per nine (11.93), strikeout rate (32.4%), and xFIP (3.27), 10th in FIP (3.65), walks per nine (2.51) and WHIP (1.21), 11th in walk rate (6.8%), 13th in ERA, and 20th in groundball rate (45.2%), according to FanGraphs.

A Georgia native who grew up working on his family’s chicken farm, Wehunt was originally selected by the Red Sox in the ninth round (268th overall) of the 2023 draft out of Kennesaw State. He received a below-slot $100,000 signing bonus and made his professional debut that August before moving up from Low-A to High-A to Double-A as part of a strong 2024 campaign. Last season, he was tested and limited to just 63 1/3 innings with Portland due to a lat strain.

Wehunt is currently ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 26 prospect, placing 14th among pitchers in the organization. In addition to a mid-90s fastball that can reach 97 mph, the 6-foot-7, 240-pound hurler features an 89-91 mph cutter, an 83-86 mph sweeper, and an 85-87 mph splitter.

Given how he has fared with Portland as of late, it would not be surprising to see Wehunt — who turns 26 in November — earn a promotion to Triple-A Worcester in the near future. That possibility is worth noting since he can become Rule 5-eligible for the first time this winter if the Red Sox do not add him to their 40-man roster by the protection deadline.

(Picture of Blake Wehunt courtesy of the Portland Sea Dogs)