Tag: prospects

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)

Which prospect did Red Sox trade to Twins for hard-throwing reliever Jorge Alcalá?

The Red Sox swung a late-night trade with the Twins on Wednesday, acquiring right-hander Jorge Alcalá for minor league infielder/outfielder Andy Lugo. Fellow righty Brian Van Belle was designated for assignment to make room for Alcala on Boston’s 40-man roster, the club announced.

Lugo, 21, was not ranked among Boston’s top prospects by publications such as SoxProspects.com. The Dominican Republic native originally signed with the Red Sox for just $10,000 as an international free agent coming out of San Cristobal in July 2021. He made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League the following June and was later recognized as the organization’s 2022 Latin Program Position Player of the Year.

Due to a quad strain, Lugo missed the entirety of 2023 before returning to action last year. He split the 2024 campaign between Low-A Salem and High-A Greenville, most notably joining top prospects Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell as the only three Red Sox minor-leaguers to record 30-plus doubles on the season as a whole.

Lugo broke camp with Greenville this spring and had gotten his 2025 season off to a solid start, leading up to Wednesday’s trade. In 44 games for the Drive, the right-handed hitter batted .265/.327/.430 with 11 doubles, one triple, a career-high four home runs, 20 RBIs, 16 runs scored, four stolen bases, 14 walks, and 40 strikeouts over 171 plate appearances. That includes a .188/.250/.375 slash line against left-handed pitching and a .286/.348/.445 slash line against right-handed pitching.

Among 77 qualified hitters in the South Atlantic League coming into play on Wednesday, Lugo ranked 15th in batting average, 19th in slugging percentage, 24th in OPS (.757), 25th in isolated power (.166), 26th in strikeout rate (23.4 percent), 28th in wOBA (.346), 30th in line-drive rate (22.3 percent), 31st in wRC+ (112), and 37th in on-base percentage, per FanGraphs.

On the other side of the ball, Lugo saw playing time at three different positions with Greenville this season. The versatile six-footer made 21 starts at first base, 16 starts at third base, and four starts in left field, committing four errors in 186 total defensive chances. He also made three starts at DH and has prior experience at second base, center field, and right field.

Lugo, who does not turn 22 until next March, can become Rule 5-eligible for the first time in his professional career this winter. In the more immediate future, he has been assigned to Minnesota’s High-A affiliate in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As such, he will presumably report to and join the Kernels’ roster in the coming days, with a move to Double-A Wichita potentially on the horizon.

(Picture of Jorge Alcalá: Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Red Sox’ Franklin Arias named South Atlantic League Player of the Month for May

Red Sox infield prospect Franklin Arias has been named the South Atlantic League Player of the Month for May, Minor League Baseball announced on Thursday.

Arias, 19, went 40-for-99 (.404) with nine doubles, one triple, two home runs, 19 RBIs, 14 runs scored, three stolen bases, six walks, and seven strikeouts in 23 games for High-A Greenville last month. The right-handed hitter is currently riding a 14-game hitting streak. He is batting .372/.408/.529 with 11 doubles, one triple, two home runs, 23 RBIs, 14 runs scored, five stolen bases, eight walks, and nine strikeouts over 28 games (130 plate appearances) with the Drive since being promoted from Low-A Salem in late April.

Among the 95 hitters in the South Atlantic League who entered play Tuesday having made at least 130 trips to the plate this season, Arias ranked first in batting average, strikeout rate (6.9 percent), and swinging-strike rate (3.5 percent), second in OPS (.937), third in slugging percentage, fourth in wOBA (.427) and wRC+ (162), ninth in on-base percentage, and 35th in isolated power (.157) and line-drive rate (22.9 percent), per FanGraphs.

On the other side of the ball, Arias was just recognized as the Red Sox’ Minor League Defensive Player of the Month for May. Since moving up from Salem to Greenville, the 5-foot-11, 170-pounder has split his playing time on the field between shortstop and second base, making 20 starts at the former and four starts at the latter. Between the two spots, he has committed just one error in 87 total chances. He has also made four starts at DH.

Originally signed out of Venezuela for $525,000 in January 2023, Arias is currently regarded by Baseball America as the No. 4 prospect in Boston’s farm system and the No. 65 prospect in the sport. Following an impressive professional debut in the Dominican Summer League, the Caracas native is coming off a 2024 season that saw him net plenty of awards, including Baseball America Rookie All-Star honors, Florida Complex League All-Star, MVP, and Top Prospect honors, and Red Sox Minor League Baserunner of the Year honors.

Arias, who does not turn 20 until November, told The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier in April that one of his goals was to make it to Double-A Portland — or even Triple-A Worcester — before the end of the 2025 season. Given Arias’ level of play at High-A, Greenville hitting coach JP Fasone was recently asked by MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith if he believes the teenager is already ready for his second promotion of the year.

“Luckily, I don’t have to worry about any of that (promotion decisions), but I would say if he continues on this trajectory, there’s no reason he wouldn’t be,” Fasone said. “He’s definitely shown he can handle the pitching. There are definitely things we still wanna see out of him in Greenville. But when the people who make those decisions make the call, he’ll definitely be ready.”

(Picture of Franklin Arias: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Red Sox promote power-hitting IF prospect Freili Encarnacion to High-A Greenville

The Red Sox have promoted infield prospect Freili Encarnacion from Low-A Salem to High-A Greenville, as was first reported by SoxProspects.com’s Chris Hatfield.

Encarnacion, 20, had gotten his second season with Salem off to a roaring start and was promptly rewarded with a promotion. In 45 games for Boston’s Carolina League affiliate this year, the right-handed hitter batted .303/.363/.566 with 14 doubles, one triple, a team-leading 10 home runs and 32 RBIs, 34 runs scored, five stolen bases, 11 walks, and 39 strikeouts over 193 plate appearances. That includes a .273/.385/.545 slash line against left-handed pitching and a .310/.357/.570 slash line against right-handed pitching.

Among qualified hitters in the Carolina League coming into play Tuesday, Encarnacion ranked first in slugging percentage and isolated power (.263), second in OPS (.929), third in batting average, fifth in wOBA (.434) and wRC+ (153), 19th in on-base percentage, and 21st in line-drive rate (24.6 percent), per FanGraphs.

On the other side of the ball, Encarnacion saw playing time at every infield position besides shortstop to begin the season with Salem. The 6-foot-2, 181-pounder logged 151 1/3 innings at first base, 44 innings at second base, and 154 innings at third base, committing nine errors in 212 total defensive chances. He also made four starts at DH.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Encarnacion originally signed with the Red Sox for $1.1 million as a highly-touted international free agent coming out of Santo Domingo in January 2022. He made his professional debut and held his own (.704 OPS in 41 games) in the Dominican Summer League shortly thereafter before a back injury limited him to just eight Florida Complex League games in 2023. In his first go-around with Salem last year, he slashed .244/.290/.329 with two home runs and 32 RBIs in 45 games.

Encarnacion, who just turned 20 in January, is not currently ranked among Boston’s top prospects by publications such as SoxProspects.com. He does, however, possess some of the best raw power in the system, as evidenced by the exit velocities (including a 120.6 mph single and a 117.2 mph home run) he has produced so far this season. If he can continue to refine his approach at the plate, he could put himself in a position to move up organizational prospect boards across the industry.

(Picture of Freili Encarnacion: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox’ Brooks Brannon named South Atlantic League Player of the Week

Red Sox catching prospect Brooks Brannon has been named the South Atlantic League Player of the Week for the week of May 26-June 1, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

Brannon appeared in five of High-A Greenville’s six games against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws at Fluor Field this past week. The right-handed hitting 21-year-old went 11-for-21 (.524) with three doubles, one triple, two home runs, eight RBIs, nine runs scored, and three strikeouts. He recorded three hits on Wednesday, had two hits on Thursday and Friday, homered twice on Saturday, and doubled in Sunday’s series finale.

On the heels of that impressive week-long showing, Brannon is now riding a nine-game hitting streak. Through 40 games for Greenville this season, he is batting .273/.317/.442 with seven doubles, two triples, five home runs, 25 RBIs, 25 runs scored, three stolen bases, nine walks, and 46 strikeouts over 164 plate appearances. That includes a .295/.341/.481 slash line against right-handed pitching and a .160/.192/.240 slash line against left-handed pitching.

Among 80 qualified hitters in the South Atlantic League to this point in the year, Brannon ranks eighth in line-drive rate (28.3 percent), 14th in batting average, 16th in slugging percentage, 20th in isolated power (.169), 29th in OPS (.759), 30th in speed score (6.7), 34th in wOBA (.343), and 37th in wRC+ (109), per FanGraphs.

Defensively, Brannon has seen the majority of his playing time with Greenville this season come behind the plate. Splitting those responsibilities with Hudson White and Juan Montero, the 5-foot-11, 210-pound backstop has thrown out 13 of 59 possible base stealers and has allowed two passed balls in 24 starts at catcher. He has also made five starts at first base (where he has committed two errors in 41 chances) and 11 starts at DH.

Brannon was originally selected by the Red Sox in the ninth round (279th overall) of the 2022 draft out of Randleman High School (Randleman, N.C.). He received a well-over-slot $712,500 signing bonus to forgo his commitment to the University of North Carolina, but has been hindered by various injuries since entering the professional ranks. In 2023, he was limited to just 17 games due to a low back strain. Last year, he missed the first seven weeks of the season while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

Brannon ended the 2024 campaign with Low-A Salem and then earned All-Star honors in the Arizona Fall League. Finally healthy, he has seemingly carried over that momentum into 2025 and is showing flashes of his potential on both sides of the ball. Equipped with plus-plus raw power, he has posted an average exit velocity of 92.2 mph and a max exit velocity of 119.8 mph so far this season, according to Baseball America’s Jesus Cano.

Brannon, who just turned 21 last month, is not currently regarded among Boston’s top 30 prospects by publications such as Baseball America or MLB Pipeline. SoxProspects.com, on the other hand, has him ranked 47th on its top 60 list.

Assuming he remains with the Red Sox through the trade deadline this summer, it would not be terribly surprising if Brannon were to receive a promotion to Double-A Portland before the end of the season. He could speed up that timeline if he continues to produce the way he has been as of late.

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

Red Sox promote IF prospect Blaze Jordan to Triple-A Worcester

The Red Sox are promoting corner infield prospect Blaze Jordan from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester, as was first reported by MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith.

Jordan, 22, will move up a level for the first time in nearly two years with this promotion. The right-handed hitter initially got his 2025 season off to a slow start offensively, but turned things around for the better in May. Altogether, he batted a stout .320/.415/.513 with 11 doubles, six home runs, a team-leading 37 RBIs, 30 runs scored, three stolen bases, 22 walks, and 19 strikeouts in 44 games (176 plate appearances) for Portland.

Among qualified Eastern League hitters entering Sunday (Jordan didn’t play in Portland’s series finale against Altoona), Jordan ranked first in on-base percentage and wOBA (.422), second in OPS (.928), third in batting average, strikeout rate (10.8 percent), and wRC+ (166), seventh in slugging percentage, 14th in swinging-strike rate (8.1 percent), 19th in isolated power (.193), 20th in walk rate (12.5 percent), and 22nd in line-drive rate (25.8 percent), per FanGraphs.

On the other side of the ball, Jordan unsurprisingly split his playing time on the dirt between the two corner infield spots with Portland this year. The 6-foot, 220-pounder made 28 starts (238 2/3 innings) at first base and 14 starts (114 1/3 innings) at third base without committing an error in 222 total defensive chances. He also made two starts at DH.

Originally selected in the third round (89th overall) of the COVID-shortened 2020 draft out of DeSoto Central High School, Jordan began his professional career when he forwent his commitment to Mississippi State and signed with the Red Sox for an over-slot $1.75 million. The Southaven, Miss., native has dealt with plenty of adversity both on and off the field since then, but is now in the process of putting together the kind of season that should help him get back on the prospect map.

Though he is not regarded among the organization’s top prospects by publications such as Baseball America or MLB Pipeline, Jordan is currently ranked by SoxProspects.com as the No. 38 prospect in Boston’s farm system. Adding on to that, Jordan — who does not turn 23 until December — can become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this winter if he is not added to the Red Sox’ 40-man roster by the protection deadline in November.

Relatively speaking, that deadline is a long way away. Still, the Red Sox will almost surely use this promotion as an opportunity to further evaluate Jordan and determine if he is worthy of a 40-man roster spot this winter. Based on the club’s willingness to deal from its pool of Rule 5-eligible prospects in the past, it also would not come as a shock if Jordan were moved before this summer’s trade deadline.

Putting that aside for the time being, Jordan is slated to join a corner infield mix in Worcester that currently includes the likes of Nathan Hickey, Vaughn Grissom, Ryan Noda, and Nick Sogard. The WooSox open a six-game series against the Rochester Red Wings at Polar Park on Tuesday night.

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

Red Sox promote OF prospect Enddy Azocar to Low-A Salem

The Red Sox have promoted young outfield prospect Enddy Azocar from the Florida Complex League to Low-A Salem, as was first reported by SoxProspects.com’s Chris Hatfield.

Azocar, 18, has been one of the top offensive performers in the rookie-level Florida Complex League to this point in the season. The right-handed hitter batted a stout .385/.448/.558 with seven doubles, one triple, five RBIs, six runs scored, four stolen bases, six walks, and 11 strikeouts in 14 games (58 plate appearances) for the FCL Red Sox.

Among qualified hitters in the Florida Complex League entering play Tuesday, Azocar ranked fourth in batting average, eighth in slugging percentage and OPS (1.006), ninth in wOBA (.479), 11th in on-base percentage and wRC+ (161), 17th in isolated power (.173) and line-drive rate (25.6 percent), 26th in speed score (7.0), and 28th in strikeout rate (19 percent), per FanGraphs.

Defensively, Azocar saw the majority of his playing time with the FCL Red Sox come in center field. Across 11 starts there, the projectable 6-foot-2, 168-pounder recorded one assist and committed one error in 23 chances over 80 innings. He also made one start in left field, one start in right field, and one start at DH.

A native of Venezuela, Azocar originally signed with the Red Sox for $40,000 as an international free agent coming out of Puerto La Cruz in January 2024. He made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League last June and held his own at the plate by slashing .266/.397/.309 (106 wRC+) in 31 games. He then emerged as someone to watch in his first spring training stateside, as indicated by his participation in Boston’s “Futures at Fenway South” showcase against prospects from the Twins organization at JetBlue Park in March.

“Enddy has had a great spring so far and has caught some attention,” Red Sox assistant general manager Eddie Romero said via email on March 21. “His frame will allow for plenty of strength, and he’s already 6-foot-2 at 18 years old. He did a great job in the offseason of getting stronger, and he’s only starting to fill that frame out.”

On the heels of his hot start, Azocar — who turned 18 in February — now finds himself ranked by SoxProspects.com as the No. 49 prospect in Boston’s farm system. In Salem, he is slated to join an outfield mix that is headlined by fellow 2024 international signee Justin Gonzales, who was promoted from the FCL earlier this month after playing just one game at the level.

Unfortunately, Salem’s series opener against Carolina on Tuesday was postponed due to inclement weather, so Azocar will have to wait at least one more day to make his Low-A debut. The rained-out contest is now scheduled to be made up as part of a seven-inning doubleheader on Wednesday evening.

(Picture of Enddy Azocar: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox’ Blaze Jordan named Eastern League Player of the Week

Red Sox corner infield prospect Blaze Jordan has been named the Eastern League Player of the Week for the week of May 19-25, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

Jordan appeared in all seven of Double-A Portland’s games against the Reading Fightin Phils at Hadlock Field this past week. The 22-year-old went 10-for-23 (.435) with one double, two home runs, eight RBIs, four runs scored, two stolen bases, two walks, and three strikeouts. He singled and scored a run on Tuesday, homered in Game 1 of Wednesday’s doubleheader, recorded two hits on Thursday, went deep again and drove in four runs as part of a three-hit effort on Friday, doubled on Saturday, and had two more hits in Sunday’s series finale.

Now the owner of a 12-game on-base streak, Jordan is putting together a strong season at the plate with Portland after initially getting off to a slow start. Through 39 games for the Sea Dogs this year, the right-handed hitter is batting .306/.401/.485 with nine doubles, five home runs, a team-leading 30 RBIs, 25 runs scored, three stolen bases, 19 walks, and 17 strikeouts over 157 plate appearances.

Among qualified hitters in the Eastern League, Jordan ranks third in strikeout rate (10.8 percent), fourth in on-base percentage, fifth in wOBA (.406), sixth in OPS (.886), seventh in batting average and wRC+ (156), 11th in slugging percentage, 15th in line-drive rate (27.2 percent), 21st in walk rate (12.1 percent) and swinging-strike rate (8.6 percent), and 22nd in isolated power (.179), per FanGraphs.

Defensively, it should come as no surprise that Jordan has split his playing time on the field this season between the infield corners. The 6-foot, 220-pounder has made 26 starts (226 2/3 innings) at first base and 11 starts (91 innings) at third base for the Sea Dogs and has yet to commit an error at either spot. He has also made two starts at DH.

Jordan is not currently regarded among Boston’s top 30 prospects by publications such as Baseball America or MLB Pipeline, though SoxProspects.com has him ranked 38th. The Southaven, Miss. native was originally selected by the Red Sox in the third round (89th overall) of the COVID-shortened 2020 draft out of DeSoto Central High School and forwent his commitment to Mississippi State by signing for an over-slot $1.75 million. He has experienced plenty of ups and downs (both on and off the field) to this point in his professional career, but is now producing at a rate he hadn’t been able to since first reaching the Double-A level nearly two years ago.

Having said that, Jordan — with 177 career games at Portland under his belt already — could very well be in line for a promotion to Triple-A Worcester before long. Such a move would present Jordan, who does not turn 23 until December, with a new challenge and provide the WooSox with additional corner infield depth. It could also add a layer to Jordan’s future with the organization.

Would the Red Sox consider trading Jordan if he lights it up at Triple-A like fellow 2020 draftee Nick Yorke did last year? Would they consider adding him to the 40-man roster in November to protect him from potentially being taken by other teams in this winter’s Rule 5 Draft?

These are questions that do not require immediate answers since they are contingent on Jordan being promoted to Worcester. Until that happens, and there is no guarantee it will, it should be worthwhile to see if he can continue to build on what has so far been an encouraging season.

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

Red Sox release 1B/3B prospect Alex Binelas

The Red Sox released minor league corner infielder Alex Binelas from Triple-A Worcester’s roster on Friday, per the club’s MiLB.com transactions log. The move presumably frees up space for the addition of first baseman/outfielder Ryan Noda, who was acquired from the Angels for cash considerations and subsequently optioned to Worcester on Thursday.

Binelas, who turns 25 next week, was originally acquired by the Red Sox alongside outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and then-prospect David Hamilton in the December 2021 trade that sent outfielder Hunter Renfroe to the Brewers. Coincidentally enough, Renfroe was designated for assignment by the Royals on Friday.

Binelas, meanwhile, was just beginning his professional career when he was traded from Milwaukee to Boston. The Oak Creek, Wis. native was selected by his hometown Brewers in the third round (86th overall) of the 2021 draft out of Louisville. He received a $700,000 signing bonus and put forth an impressive pro debut by slashing .309/.390/.583 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs in 36 games (159 plate appearances) between the Arizona Complex League and Low-A Carolina.

After switching organizations, Binelas opened the 2022 campaign at High-A Greenville and continued to put up solid offensive numbers. The left-handed hitter batted .245/.355/.495 with 14 homers and 43 RBIs in 58 games (259 plate appearances) for the Drive before receiving a promotion to Double-A Portland that June. He homered 11 more times in his first 55 games (241 plate appearances) for the Sea Dogs but spent all of 2023 and most of 2024 with Boston’s Eastern League affiliate as well.

It was not until last September that Binelas, after appearing in 225 games at the Double-A level across parts of three seasons, was finally promoted to Triple-A. He got into three games for the WooSox before the year ended and went 3-for-12 (.250) with one home run and one RBI. Upon returning to Worcester for the start of the 2025 season, he went 9-for-35 (.257) with two home runs and six RBIs over 13 games. It is worth noting that 34 of his 41 plate appearances came against right-handed pitchers.

Altogether, Binelas slashed .226/.319/.437 (105 wRC+) with 52 doubles, nine triples, 52 home runs, 196 RBIs, 173 runs scored, 36 stolen bases, 144 walks, and 371 strikeouts over 299 total games (1,232 plate appearances) between Greenville, Portland, and Worcester. On the other side of the ball, the 6-foot-2, 225-pounder saw most of his playing time as a member of the Red Sox organization come at either first base or third base. In limited action this year, he logged 24 2/3 innings at first, four innings at third, and one-third of an inning in right field (a career first), committing one error in 22 chances.

Looking back, Binelas was regarded as highly as the No. 17 prospect in Boston’s farm system by Baseball America, FanGraphs, and SoxProspects.com in 2022, while MLB Pipeline had him ranked 22nd within the organization around that same time. Given his past pedigree, it would not be too surprising if he found an opportunity to play elsewhere if he is intent on continuing his career.

(Picture of Alex Binelas: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox promote IF prospect Marvin Alcantara to Double-A Portland

The Red Sox have promoted infield prospect Marvin Alcantara from High-A Greenville to Double-A Portland, as was first reported by Andrew Parker of Beyond the Monster.

Alcantara, 20, will be tested in the upper minors for the first time after an up-and-down start to his 2025 season. The right-handed hitter broke camp with Greenville earlier this spring and came out of the gates firing, slashing .358/.427/.433 with two doubles, one home run, and eight RBIs in his first 18 games (75 plate appearances) through the end of April. He has since struggled to a .157/.232/.196 line with two doubles and seven RBIs over 14 games (56 plate appearances) in May.

Overall, Alcantara batted .271/.344/.331 (98 wRC+) with four doubles, one home run, 15 RBIs, 17 runs scored, four stolen bases, 11 walks, and 17 strikeouts in 32 games (131 plate appearances) for Greenville to begin the season. Among 83 qualified South Atlantic League hitters entering play Tuesday, he ranked third in strikeout rate (13 percent), eighth in swinging-strike rate (7.7 percent), 20th in batting average, and 31st in on-base percentage, per FanGraphs.

On the other side of the ball, Alcantara saw playing time at every infield position besides first base in his first stint with Greenville. The fluid 5-foot-10, 157-pounder (listed height and weight) logged 126 innings at second base, 76 1/3 innings at third base, and 63 2/3 innings at shortstop, committing four errors in 94 total defensive chances (.957 fielding percentage). He also made one start at DH.

Alcantara originally signed with the Red Sox for just $30,000 in January 2022 as an unheralded international free agent out of Venezuela. The La Victoria native made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League that June and has steadily worked his way up the organizational ladder since then. He is currently ranked by SoxProspects.com as Boston’s No. 39 prospect and is regarded by many as one of the better defensive infielders in the club’s farm system.

Alcantara, who does not turn 21 until November, will bat eighth and start at second base in Portland’s series opener against Reading at Hadlock Field on Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET.

(Picture of Marvin Alcantara: Gwinn Davis/Greenville Drive)