prospects – Page 2 – Blogging the Red Sox

Revisiting Red Sox’ trade of Quinn Priester to Brewers

With the Brewers playing in the National League Championship Series, it feels like an appropriate time to revisit the trade they made with the Red Sox for starter Quinn Priester back on April 7.

In exchange for Priester, who put together a strong first season for Milwaukee, Boston acquired outfield prospect Yophery Rodriguez, a player to be named later, and a competitive balance Round A pick in the 2025 draft.

This article will focus on the early returns of the trade from the Red Sox’ end, starting with Rodriguez.

Yophery Rodriguez

Rodriguez came over to the Red Sox a little more than two years after originally signing with the Brewers for $1.5 million as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in January 2023. The San Pedro de Macorís native earned Dominican Summer League All-Star honors in his professional debut, then advanced straight to the Low-A level, thus skipping the Arizona Complex League, to begin his first season stateside in 2024.

As an 18-year-old, Rodriguez held his own by batting .250/.343/.383 with 23 doubles, six triples, seven home runs, 60 RBIs, 59 runs scored, seven stolen bases, 59 walks, and 115 strikeouts in 110 games (484 plate appearances) for Low-A Carolina last season. The left-handed-hitting teenager took another step forward by breaking camp with Milwaukee’s High-A affiliate this spring before being traded to Boston just three games (in which he went 5-for-12 with a double and triple) into his 2025 campaign.

Remaining at the same level upon switching organizations for the first time in his young career, Rodriguez debuted with High-A Greenville on April 8. As part of an up-and-down season, the 19-year-old outfielder batted .214/.312/.331 with 17 doubles, six triples, five home runs, 48 RBIs, 44 runs scored, 10 stolen bases, 52 walks, and 81 strikeouts in 101 games (433 plate appearances) for the Drive. He particularly stood out in July by slashing .342/.375/.539 in 19 games (77 plate appearances) en route to receiving South Atlantic League Player of the Month honors, but struggled to a .159/.239/.232 line over 23 games (92 plate appearances) between August and September to end things on a rather disappointing note.

Among 46 qualified hitters in the South Atlantic League this season, Rodriguez — lauded for his advanced feel of the strike zone — notably ranked fifth in strikeout rate (18.7 percent), sixth in fly-ball rate (43.9 percent), 12th in walk rate (12 percent), and 13th in opposite-field rate (32.2 percent) and swinging-strike rate (9.9 percent), per FanGraphs.

Defensively, Rodriguez saw playing time at all three outfield positions with Greenville this year. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder logged a team-leading 488 1/3 innings in left, 177 innings in right, and 117 innings in center, recording 13 outfield assists and committing just three errors in 165 total chances. He also made nine starts at DH.

Rodriguez, who turns 20 in December, is not currently regarded among Boston’s top prospects by Baseball America. At the same time, he is ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 21 Red Sox prospect and SoxProspects.com’s No. 36 prospect. Barring his inclusion in a trade or other surprise move this winter, Rodriguez is projected to make the jump to Double-A Portland for the start of the 2026 season.

John Holobetz

Exactly four weeks after adding Rodriguez, the Red Sox acquired right-hander John Holobetz from the Brewers as the player to be named later in the Priester deal.

Holobetz was selected by the Brewers in the fifth round (156th overall) of the 2024 draft out of Old Dominion. The Pennsylvania native signed with Milwaukee for $322,500 last summer, but did not make his professional debut until this past April. He made five appearances (three starts) at the Low-A level to begin the 2025 season, posting a 3.00 ERA (2.28 FIP) with 31 strikeouts to five walks in 24 innings, before joining the Red Sox organization on May 5.

Four days and one promotion later, Holobetz debuted with Greenville on May 9. The 23-year-old righty proceeded to pitch to a 3.43 ERA with 62 strikeouts to 10 walks in 12 outings (11 starts) for the Drive. Though he gave up his fair share of hits, as evidenced by the fact that opponents batted .276 against him in that time, Holobetz was elevated to Portland in early August.

From there, Holobetz compiled a 2.39 ERA (2.60 FIP) with 27 strikeouts to just five walks over six outings (five starts) spanning 37 2/3 innings for the Sea Dogs. Opposing hitters in the Eastern League batted .205 against him as he finished his first full season in pro ball with a 3.03 ERA (3.04 FIP) in 23 appearances (19 starts) totaling 124 2/3 innings across Low-A, High-A, and Double-A. That includes a 3.04 ERA (3.23 FIP) with 89 strikeouts to 15 walks in 100 2/3 innings between Greenville and Portland.

One of seven Red Sox minor leaguers to surpass the century mark in innings pitched this year, Holobetz was named a 2025 SoxProspects.com All-Star. Among those seven, he ranked first in walks per nine innings (1.34) and walk rate (3.8 percent), second in WHIP (1.11) and xFIP (3.17), and third in ERA and FIP, according to FanGraphs.

Standing at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Holobetz throws from a three-quarters arm slot and incorporates a medium-high leg kick into his delivery. As noted in his SoxProspects.com scouting report, the lanky hurler operates with a four-pitch mix that consists of a whiff-inducing 92-94 mph fastball that tops out at 96 mph, an 83-87 mph slider, a 79-82 mph curveball, and 84-87 mph changeup.

Holobetz, who does not turn 24 until next July, is not regarded among Boston’s top prospects by Baseball America or MLB Pipeline but is ranked as SoxProspects.com’s No. 25 overall prospect and No. 13 pitching prospect. Assuming he remains in the organization through the winter, Holobetz is projected to open the 2026 season in Portland’s starting rotation.

Marcus Phillips

In addition to Rodriguez and a player to be named later (Holobetz), the Red Sox acquired the 33rd overall selection in the 2025 draft from the Brewers for Priester in April. They used that pick to take Tennessee right-hander Marcus Phillips in July.

Days before celebrating his 21st birthday, Phillips signed with Boston for a below-slot $2.5 million on July 20, but did not pitch for an affiliate after putting pen to paper. The South Dakota native spent the final two seasons of his collegiate career at Tennessee after transferring from Iowa Western Community College. He posted a 3.90 ERA with 98 strikeouts to 34 walks in 17 starts (83 innings) for the Volunteers as a junior this past spring.

Listed at an imposing 6-foot-4 and 246 pounds, Phillips has featured a three-pitch mix that includes a 96-99 mph fastball that can reach triple digits, an 84-88 mph slider, and a 90-94 mph changeup. The burly righty is currently ranked as Boston’s No. 12 prospect by MLB Pipeline, No. 14 by SoxProspects.com, and No. 16 by Baseball America.

Phillips is projected by SoxProspects.com to open the 2026 campaign in Greenville alongside fellow 2025 draftees Kyson Witherspoon and Anthony Eyanson. All three could move through the system very quickly, depending on how aggressive the Red Sox are with their development.

(Picture of John Holobetz: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Four Red Sox prospects highlighted among Baseball America’s 2025 international standouts

On Wednesday, Baseball America’s Ben Badler identified 40 standout hitting prospects from the 2025 international signing class who played in the Dominican Summer League this season.

Of the 40 players mentioned, four young members of the Red Sox organization made the cut. Hector Ramos was given an “up-arrow signing” tag, while Harold Rivas, Dorian Soto, and Jostin Oganso were labeled as “prospects to watch” that could be breakout candidates moving forward.

Ramos, who turned 18 last month, signed with Boston for $500,000 as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in January. The switch-hitting infielder spent his first professional season with DSL Red Sox Blue, batting .254/.384/.443 with seven doubles, two triples, four home runs, 25 RBIs, 33 runs scored, one stolen base, 23 walks, and 32 strikeouts in 36 games (151 plate appearances). He was named a DSL All-Star in July, but got into just two games after the calendar flipped to August due to a left hip strain that ultimately resulted in him being placed on the injured list.

Defensively, Ramos saw the lion’s share of his playing time this year come at shortstop. The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder logged 211 innings at the position, committing seven errors in 113 chances. He also started one game at second base and seven games at DH.

Ramos, Badler wrote, “does a lot of things well.” He has “a knack for being on time at the plate to make contact at a high clip and shows a sound sense of the strike zone for his age.” He also “has the actions, body control, and above-average arm strength that give him a good chance to stick at shortstop.”

Rivas, 17, signed with Boston for $950,000 as an international free agent out of Venezuela in January. Like Ramos, the right-handed hitting outfielder spent his first professional season with DSL Red Sox Blue, slashing .258/.393/.384 with six doubles, four triples, two home runs, 20 RBIs, 41 runs scored, 18 stolen bases, 35 walks, and 35 strikeouts in 46 games (196 plate appearances). He also went 3-for-15 (.200) with two RBIs, two runs scored, one stolen base, two walks, and five strikeouts in four postseason contests.

On the other side of the ball, Rivas was used almost exclusively as a center fielder this year. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder logged 315 innings in center, committing four errors and recording seven outfield assists in 103 defensive chances. He also made four starts at DH.

Rivas, Badler wrote, “registered consistent quality at-bats without much swing-and-miss and has the space on his frame to grow into more power.” Elsewhere, he possesses “plus speed, a plus arm, and the mix of first-step quickness, instincts, and range that make him a potentially plus to plus-plus defender” in the outfield.

Soto, 17, signed with Boston for a club-high $1.4 million as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in January. The switch-hitting infielder split his first professional season between DSL Red Sox Red and DSL Red Sox Blue, batting .307/.362/.428 with 10 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 18 RBIs, 27 runs scored, one stolen base, 16 walks, and 28 strikeouts in 47 games (186 plate appearances). He was held out of July’s DSL All-Star Game due to a wrist injury that likely played a role in his quiet performance down the stretch thereafter, though he did take the field for postseason action in August.

Defensively, Soto saw playing time at every infield position besides first base this year. The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder logged 230 2/3 innings at shortstop, 42 2/3 innings at third base, and two innings at second base, committing nine errors in 133 total chances. He also made seven starts at DH.

Possessing “significant” physical upside, Soto “can whistle the barrel through the zone with impressive bat speed, giving him a chance to grow into big power,” Badler wrote. “He is a switch-hitter who uses his hands well and is able to keep his long limbs under control to limit his swing-and-miss, though he is also an aggressive hitter who will have to reign [sic] his approach and make better swing decisions.”

Ogando, who turns 18 in December, signed with Boston for $60,000 as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in May. Like Ramos and Rivas, the right-handed hitting outfielder spent his first professional season with DSL Red Sox Blue, slashing .282/.433/.427 with three doubles, four home runs, 25 RBIs, 15 runs scored, one stolen base, 24 walks, and 26 strikeouts in 42 games (134 plate appearances). He also went 2-for-14 (.143) with another homer in the postseason.

On the other side of the ball, Ogando saw playing time at first base and both outfield corners this year. The hulking 6-foot-3, 215-pounder logged 237 1/3 innings at first, 18 innings in left (where he recorded one outfield assist), and nine innings in right, committing three errors in 213 total defensive chances. He also made two starts at DH.

Ogando, Badler wrote, was “one of the more impressive power bats” in the Dominican Summer League this season, “producing exit velocities up to 114 mph as a 17-year-old.” Additionally, while Ogando “doesn’t swing and miss much for a player with his power, the lack of loft in his swing limits his game power. When he does get off his “A” swing, he can obliterate baseballs.”

Organizationally, Soto and Ramos are currently regarded by Baseball America as the Nos. 10 and 19 prospects in Boston’s farm system, respectively. Both Rivas and Ogando are unranked, though that could change at some point next year.

With that being said, all four of Ramos, Rivas, Soto, and Ogando are in line to take the next step and make their stateside debuts in the Florida Complex League in 2026.

(Picture of Fenway Park: Paul Rutherford/Getty Images)

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)

Who are Josue Brito and Angelo Ladera? Get to know the Red Sox’ Latin Program Position Player, Pitcher of the Year

As part of pre-game ceremonies on the field at Fenway Park last Friday night, the Red Sox recognized their seven minor-league award winners for the 2025 season. Among the honorees were the organization’s Latin Program Position Player of the Year, Josue Brito, and Latin Program Pitcher of the Year, Angelo Ladera.

Brito repeated the Dominican Summer League this season after originally signing with Boston for $20,000 as an international free agent coming out of Venezuela in January 2024. In 43 games for DSL Red Sox Blue, the right-handed hitting 18-year-old batted .284/.497/.606 with eight doubles, nine home runs, 30 RBIs, 31 runs scored, 13 stolen bases, 41 walks, and 32 strikeouts over 157 plate appearances. That includes a .350/.552/.900 slash line against lefties and a .270/.484/.539 slash line against righties.

Among 304 qualified Dominican Summer League hitters in 2025, Brito ranked second in slugging percentage, OPS (1.103), isolated power (.321), and wOBA (.521), third in wRC+ (179), fifth in on-base percentage, sixth in walk rate (26.1 percent), 49th in line-drive rate (23.6 percent), and 95th in batting average, per FanGraphs.

Defensively, Brito saw playing time at four different positions this season. The 6-foot, 175-pounder logged 153 innings at first base, 86 innings in left field, 37 innings in right field (where he recorded two assists), and one-third of an inning at second base, committing two errors in 180 total chances. He also made one start at DH and converted his lone save opportunity in the process of making five scoreless relief appearances (3 2/3 innings) on the mound.

Like Brito, Ladera is 18 and hails from Venezuela. The 6-foot, 168-pound right-hander signed with Boston for just $10,000 as an international free agent in February and made his professional debut in June. In 12 regular-season outings (three starts) for DSL Red Sox Red, he forged a 2.20 ERA (3.70 FIP) with 36 strikeouts to 15 walks over 32 2/3 innings in which he held opposing hitters to a .164 batting average. He tossed 3 2/3 scoreless frames in his lone start for DSL Red Sox Blue in the playoffs as well.

Among 293 pitchers who threw at least 30 regular-season innings in the Dominican Summer League this year, Ladera ranked eighth in batting average against, 24th in ERA, 27th in WHIP (1.01), 43rd in strikeout rate (27.9 percent), 49th in FIP, 56th in swinging-strike rate (17 percent), 76th in strikeouts per nine innings (9.92), and 85th in xFIP (4.12), per FanGraphs.

Neither Brito, who turns 19 in April, nor Ladera, who turns 19 next month, is currently ranked among Boston’s top 60 prospects by SoxProspects.com. They are both projected by the site to make their stateside debuts in the Florida Complex League in 2026.

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

Is Red Sox IF prospect Yoeilin Cespedes primed to bounce back in 2026?

Earlier this month, Baseball America identified one prospect from each organization in need of a bounce-back 2026 season after a disappointing 2025.

Their pick from the Red Sox? Infielder Yoeilin Cespedes, who celebrated his 20th birthday on September 8.

Originally signed for $1.4 million as a highly-touted international free agent coming out of the Dominican Republic in January 2023, Cespedes made great strides to begin his professional career. Out of the gate, the Azua native was recognized as a Dominican Summer League All-Star and the Red Sox’ Minor League Latin Program Position Player of the Year. He followed that up by setting fire to the rookie-level Florida Complex League to kick off his 2024 campaign.

After batting .319/.400/.615 with five home runs and 24 RBIs in 25 FCL games, Cespedes received a promotion to Low-A Salem last June. Due to lingering soreness in his left hand, however, Cespedes was placed on the injured list before appearing in a game for Boston’s Carolina League affiliate. He was then ultimately diagnosed with a broken hamate bone and underwent season-ending surgery in July as a result.

On the heels of a frustrating end to an otherwise promising first season stateside, Cespedes rehabbed through the winter and entered 2025 as Baseball America’s sixth-ranked Red Sox prospect. He broke camp with Salem in the spring and made his long-awaited Low-A debut in early April. In his first 70 games, he batted just .213/.264/.350 with 15 doubles, four triples, five home runs, 33 RBIs, 31 runs scored, six stolen bases, 21 walks, and 65 strikeouts over 303 plate appearances leading up to the MLB All-Star break in mid-July.

Coming out of the break on July 18, though, Cespedes began to produce more encouraging results. The aggressive right-handed hitter ended the year by slashing .252/.341/.424 with nine doubles, one triple, five home runs, 21 RBIs, 25 runs scored, five stolen bases, 20 walks, and 36 strikeouts in his final 40 games (174 plate appearances) for Salem.

Overall, Cespedes hit .227/.292/.376 with 24 doubles, five triples, 10 home runs, 54 RBIs, 56 runs scored, 11 stolen bases, 41 walks, and 101 strikeouts over 110 games (477 plate appearances) as a 19-year-old in Low-A this season. That includes a .222/.292/.351 line in 381 plate appearances against right-handed pitching and a .244/.292/.477 line in 96 plate appearances against left-handed pitching.

Among 47 qualified hitters in the Carolina League this year, Cespedes notably ranked first in pull rate (59.8 percent), seventh in isolated power (.150), eighth in line-drive rate (25.2 percent), ninth in fly-ball rate (42.6 percent), and 14th in slugging percentage, per FanGraphs.

Defensively, Cespedes saw all of his playing time on the field this season come at either second base or shortstop. The compact 5-foot-8, 181-pounder logged 773 2/3 innings at the former and 54 innings at the latter, committing 17 errors in 43o total chances. Interestingly, he did not play any shortstop after May 7. He also made 12 starts at DH.

Cespedes now finds himself ranked as Boston’s No. 14 prospect by Baseball America, which theorizes that he will “need to harness his bat-to-ball skills and ample bat speed more consistently” to take a step forward in 2026. Barring a trade or other surprise move this winter, he is expected to make the jump to High-A Greenville to start next season.

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

Former Red Sox prospect Cutter Coffey named 2025 Northwest League All-Star

Former Red Sox prospect Cutter Coffey has been named a 2025 Northwest League All-Star, Minor League Baseball announced on Wednesday.

Coffey, one of three prospects traded by the Red Sox to the Blue Jays for veteran catcher Danny Jansen last July, spent the entirety of the 2025 season with Toronto’s High-A Vancouver affiliate. The right-handed hitting 21-year-old batted .273/.359/.427 with 26 doubles, 11 home runs, 62 RBIs, 68 runs scored, 10 stolen bases, 47 walks, and 100 strikeouts over 99 games (440 plate appearances). That includes a .295/.404/.359 slash line against lefties and a .268/.347/.444 slash line against righties.

After taking home Northwest League Player of the Month honors for July, Coffey spent most of August on the injured list. The young infielder returned to action for Vancouver on Aug. 27 and picked up hits in six of his final nine games en route to being recognized as the Canadians’ 2025 Offensive Player of the Year.

Among 32 qualified hitters in the Northwest League this season, Coffey ranked fourth in line-drive rate (24.7 percent), eighth in batting average and wRC+ (118), ninth in slugging percentage, 10th in on-base percentage, OPS (.786), and wOBA (.361), and 14th in walk rate (10.7 percent), per FanGraphs.

Defensively, Coffey saw playing time at every infield position besides first base for the Canadians this year. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder logged 394 innings at third base, 282 innings at second base, and 41 innings at shortstop, committing nine errors in 233 total chances. He also made 16 starts at DH.

A California native, Coffey was originally selected by the Red Sox with the 41st overall pick in the 2022 draft out of Liberty High School and forwent his commitment to the University of Texas by signing for $1.85 million. He had already reached High-A Greenville before being dealt to the Blue Jays along with infielder Eddinson Paulino and right-hander Gilberto Batista in exchange for Jansen a few days ahead of the 2024 trade deadline last summer.

Coffey is currently ranked as Toronto’s No. 27 prospect by MLB Pipeline, which describes him as having “a future as a utility infielder who provides some thump off the bench” if he can “get the most of his tools.” He does not to be added to the Blue Jays’ 40-man roster for Rule 5 protection purposes until next winter.

Assuming he remains in the Blue Jays organization through this winter and into next spring, Coffey — with exactly 200 regular-season games at the High-A level under his belt — would seemingly be a prime candidate to open the 2026 campaign with Toronto’s Double-A affiliate in New Hampshire.

(Picture of Cutter Coffey: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Red Sox OF prospect Justin Gonzales recognized as 2025 Carolina League All-Star

Red Sox outfield prospect Justin Gonzales has been named a 2025 Carolina League All-Star, Minor League Baseball announced on Tuesday.

Gonzales spent most of his first season in the United States with Low-A Salem after making a brief one-game cameo in the rookie-level Florida Complex League in early May. From there, the right-handed hitting 18-year-old batted .298/.381/.423 with 23 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 27 RBIs, 45 runs scored, 11 stolen bases, 35 walks, and 52 strikeouts in 81 games (357 plate appearances) for the Red Sox.

Among 47 qualified hitters in the Carolina League, Gonzales ranked first in batting average, second in OPS (.804), wOBA (.394), and wRC+ (131), third in slugging percentage and strikeout rate (14.6 percent), sixth in on-base percentage, 14th in swinging-strike rate (10.3 percent), and 17th in isolated power (.125), per FanGraphs.

On the other side of the ball, Gonzales saw playing time at all three outfield positions for Salem. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder logged 226 1/3 innings in center field, 192 innings in right field, and 127 2/3 innings in left field, recording two assists and committing four errors in 127 total defensive chances. He also made 16 starts at DH.

Hailing from the Dominican Republic, Gonzales originally signed with the Red Sox for $250,000 as an international free agent in January 2024. As part of an impressive professional debut last season, the Bani native was recognized as a Dominican Summer League All-Star and Boston’s Minor League Latin Program Position Player of the Year.

Roughly two weeks before Salem’s season ended, Gonzales received a promotion to High-A Greenville in late August. He ended the year by going 8-for-43 (.186) with four RBIs, five runs scored, one stolen base, four walks, and 11 strikeouts in 11 games for the Drive. Overall, he slashed .281/.363/.390 with 23 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 32 RBIs, 50 runs scored, 12 stolen bases, 39 walks, and 65 strikeouts over 93 total games (410 plate appearances) between the FCL, Salem, and Greenville in 2025. That includes a .309/.420/.500 line against lefties and a .275/.350/.364 line against righties.

Gonzales, who turns 19 in December, is currently ranked as the No. 7 prospect in Boston’s farm system by MLB Pipeline. At the same time, Baseball America lists him at No. 12, while SoxProspects.com has him at No. 13. Barring a trade or other surprise move this winter, he will likely return to Greenville for the start of the 2026 minor-league season.

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

How did Henry Godbout, top position player drafted by Red Sox this summer, fare in professional debut?

Henry Godbout was the first of six position players drafted by the Red Sox over the summer. This article will examine how the 21-year-old infielder fared in his professional debut this season.

Godbout was taken out of Virginia with the 75th overall pick in the 2025 draft, which the Red Sox had received as compensation for losing qualified free agent Nick Pivetta to the Padres in free agency last winter. Fresh off earning Second Team All-ACC honors in his junior season with the Cavaliers, the New York native signed with Boston for an at-slot $1.0938 million on July 22.

“Really good instincts, really good action,” Red Sox director of amateur scouting Devin Pearson said of Godbout when speaking with reporters (including MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo) following the draft. “They shift a lot at Virginia, but he’s able to cover a lot of ground and has worked both sides of the [second base] bag. We’re betting on the athlete here to be able to do both.

“Makes a ton of contact,” Pearson continued, “super athletic and fits our development strengths in terms of being able to tap into some more power.

After putting pen to paper in Fort Myers, Fla., and spending the remainder of July at the Red Sox’ Fenway South complex, Godbout reported straight to High-A Greenville (as opposed to Low-A Salem) and made his pro debut at Fluor Field on August 6. The right-handed hitter then went 6-for-17 (.353) with three doubles, two RBIs, four runs scored, six walks, and three strikeouts in his first six games with the Drive before suffering a hamstring injury in Greensboro on August 14.

Following an 11-day stint on the injured list, Godbout returned to action on August 28 and closed out the season by going 9-for-27 (.333) with three doubles, three RBIs, two runs scored, one stolen base, three walks, and three strikeouts in his final seven games of the 2025 campaign as Greenville came up just short of qualifying for a spot in the South Atlantic League playoffs.

Overall, Godbout batted .341/.473/.477 with six doubles, five RBIs, six runs scored, one stolen base, nine walks, and six strikeouts in 13 games (55 plate appearances) for the Drive. That includes a .333/.455/.667 slash line against left-handed pitching and a .343/.477/.429 slash line against right-handed pitching.

It is a small sample size, but Godbout was one of 261 hitters to accrue at least 55 plate appearances in the South Atlantic League this year. Among those 261, he ranked third in batting average and on-base percentage, fourth in strikeout rate (10.9 percent), fifth in OPS (.950), wOBA (.452), and wRC+ (182), sixth in swinging-strike rate (5.6 percent), 14th in slugging percentage, 21st in walk rate (16.4 percent), 76th in isolated power (.136), and 85th in line-drive rate (23.7 percent), per FanGraphs.

Defensively, Godbout unsurprisingly split his playing time with Greenville between second base and shortstop. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder logged 55 innings at second and 22 innings at short without committing a single error in 19 total chances. He also made three starts at DH.

On the heels of making a positive first impression in his pro debut, Godbout is already regarded among the top prospects in Boston’s farm system by numerous outlets. He is ranked No. 19 by MLB Pipeline, No. 21 by Baseball America, and No. 23 by SoxProspects.com, respectively.

Godbout, who turns 22 in November, is projected by SoxProspects.com to return to Greenville for the start of the 2026 season. With a full offseason of developmental opportunities ahead of him, he could emerge as an even more intriguing prospect as well as a quick riser within the organization next year.

(Picture of Henry Godbout: 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 promote top prospect Franklin Arias to Double-A Portland

The Red Sox have promoted top prospect Franklin Arias from High-A Greenville to Double-A Portland, according to the club’s MiLB.com transactions log.

Arias is moving up a level for the second time this season. The 19-year-old infielder opened the 2025 campaign at Low-A Salem and batted .346/.407/.397 (134 wRC+) with four doubles, nine RBIs, 15 runs scored, four stolen bases, six walks, and 12 strikeouts in 19 games (86 plate appearances) before receiving a promotion to Greenville in late April.

After getting off to a blistering start with Greenville that saw him net South Atlantic League Player of the Month honors for May, Arias began to cool off as spring turned to summer. The right-handed hitter continued to struggle offensively out of the All-Star break in July, but has fared relatively better as of late to bring his line up to .265/.329/.380 (107 wRC+) with 21 doubles, one triple, six home runs, 49 RBIs, 43 runs scored, seven stolen bases, 32 walks, and 35 strikeouts in 87 games (392 plate appearances) for the Drive.

Overall, Arias is slashing .279/.343/.383 (112 wRC+) with 25 doubles, one triple, six home runs, 58 RBIs, 58 runs scored, 11 stolen bases, 38 walks, and 47 strikeouts in 106 games (478 plate appearances) between Salem and Greenville this season. That includes a .214/.296/.282 line against lefties and a .300/.358/.415 line against righties.

Between his stops in Salem and Greenville, Arias primarily split his playing time between shortstop and second base, logging 780 2/3 innings at the former and 44 innings at the latter. The rangy 5-foot-11, 170-pounder (listed height and weight) committed six errors (all at shortstop) in 364 total defensive chances. He also made 10 starts at DH.

A native of Venezuela, Arias originally signed with the Red Sox for $525,000 as an international free agent coming out of Caracas in January 2023. Lauded for his ability to make contact and fielding prowess, he made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League shortly thereafter. He impressed there before truly breaking out last season. As part of a standout 2024 campaign, he was recognized as a Baseball America Rookie and Florida Complex League All-Star, the Florida Complex League’s Top MLB Prospect and MVP, and Boston’s Minor League Baserunner of the Year.

Unsurprisingly, Arias was included in multiple top 100 prospects lists to begin the 2025 season. He is currently regarded by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 3 prospect and the game’s No. 50 prospect, while MLB Pipeline has him ranked as Boston’s No. 1 prospect and the No. 24 prospect in the sport. SoxProspects.com has him at No. 2 on its top 60 list behind only rookie left-hander Payton Tolle.

Arias, who turns 20 in November, is leading off and starting at shortstop in Portland’s series opener against Erie at Hadlock Field on Tuesday night. The Sea Dogs have 12 regular-season games remaining and currently trail Somerset by just 1 1/2 games for a spot in the Eastern League playoffs.

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