Tag: trades

Checking in on Red Sox prospect Jose Bello, last holdover from Rafael Devers trade

With Rafael Devers returning to Fenway Park this weekend, it feels like an appropriate time to check in on the lone player the Red Sox acquired from the Giants in last June’s blockbuster trade who remains in the organization.

That would be 21-year-old right-hander Jose Bello, whom Boston obtained from San Francisco alongside pitchers Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks and first baseman/outfielder James Tibbs III. The Red Sox have since dealt Harrison to the Brewers, Hicks to the White Sox, and Tibbs to the Dodgers in three separate trades involving other players.

As previously stated, this article will focus on Bello, who is not currently ranked among Boston’s top pitching prospects by Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, or SoxProspects.com. The young righty has dealt with shoulder issues to begin his first full season in the organization, requiring stints on Low-A Salem’s injured list in April and June. When on the mound, though, he has posted a 3.92 ERA with 43 strikeouts to 31 walks across 17 outings (10 starts) spanning 62 innings for the RidgeYaks.

While opposing hitters have slashed .264/.366/.405 in 266 plate appearances against Bello, his 52.2% groundball rate ranks eighth among Carolina League pitchers who have thrown at least 60 innings this season, according to FanGraphs.

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 164 pounds (but likely heavier), Bello throws from a three-quarters arm slot and features a 92-94 mph fastball that can reach 96 mph, a 90-92 mph cutter, an 83-86 mph slider, and an 82-86 mph changeup. SoxProspects.com notes that his arsenal and size “point towards the bullpen long-term,” while FanGraphs describes him as looking “more like a moldable arm than a guy tracking for any particular kind of defined, impact role.”

Bello originally signed with the Giants for $47,500 as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in January 2023. The Santo Domingo native made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League, spending parts of three seasons there and in the Arizona Complex League before being traded to the Red Sox last June. He then split the remainder of the 2025 campaign between the Florida Complex League and Salem.

Since making the jump from rookie ball last July, Bello owns a 3.69 ERA with 60 strikeouts to 40 walks over 24 outings (14 starts) and 85 2/3 innings at the Low-A level. He is scheduled to make his next start for Salem in Sunday’s series finale against Wilson. After that, it remains to be seen whether he can work his way up to High-A Greenville before the season ends.

(Picture of Rafael Devers: Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images)

Which prospect did Red Sox send to Orioles to complete Adley Rutschman trade?

More than a week after acquiring three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman, the Red Sox have completed the blockbuster trade that netted him from the Orioles.

Boston sent minor league outfielder Harold Rivas to Baltimore as the player to be named later in the deal on Wednesday, per announcements from both clubs. That means the trade is now complete, with the Red Sox landing Rutschman, fellow backstop Jake Rogers (who has since been designated for assignment), and cash considerations from the Orioles for catcher Carlos Narvaez, pitching prospects Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, and outfield prospects Enddy Azocar and Rivas.

As noted by MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo, Rivas was initially rumored to be part of the package going back to Baltimore on August 3 before it was revealed that the fifth piece — following Narvaez, Eyanson, Witherspoon, and Azocar — was a player to be named later when the trade was first announced. Since Rutschman was on the injured list with left wrist inflammation at the time, this suggests the Red Sox and Orioles may have already agreed to Rivas’ inclusion last week but waited until Rutschman was activated by Boston on Tuesday to officially complete the deal.

Rivas, then, switches organizations for the first time in his young career. The 18-year-old was ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 10 prospect after originally signing for $950,000 as a highly touted international free agent out of Venezuela last January. He made a solid first impression in the Dominican Summer League last season, marking his professional debut, before making the jump stateside to the Florida Complex League in 2026.

In 46 games for the FCL Red Sox, Rivas batted .241/.343/.429 with six doubles, four triples, six home runs, 19 RBIs, 42 runs scored, 23 stolen bases, 24 walks, and 52 strikeouts over 198 plate appearances. The right-handed hitter slashed .239/.333/.435 in 159 plate appearances against righties and .250/.385/.406 in 39 plate appearances against lefties.

Among 69 qualified FCL hitters this season, Rivas notably ranked second in speed score (9.5), 14th in isolated power (.188), 17th in wSB (1.1), 22nd in slugging percentage, and 25th in swinging-strike rate (11.7%), according to FanGraphs.

Defensively, Rivas saw almost all of his playing time in the Florida Complex League come in center field. The athletic 6-foot-2, 177-pounder made 43 starts in center for the FCL Red Sox, committing five errors and recording three assists in 309 chances over 318 innings. He also made two starts at DH.

In addition to being ranked as the Red Sox’ No. 10 prospect, Rivas came in at No. 13 on Baseball America’s Top 20 Florida Complex League Prospects for 2026 list. The publication noted that while catcher Franklin Primera and right-hander Sadbiel Delzine “were the stars” of Boston’s FCL affiliate, Rivas “opened plenty of eyes as well.”

“The narrow-framed outfielder has a quick, whippy swing geared for line drives, though some scouts noticed that he was a bit eager to sell out for the kind of power that likely won’t be a part of his game as he moves up the ladder,” Baseball America’s Josh Norris wrote last month. “In fact, Rivas might take away more home runs than he hits. The above-average runner showed excellent instincts and routes in center field and more than convinced scouts that he could play the position at an above-average clip.”

Rivas, who does not turn 19 until next May, is still years away from the majors but nonetheless joins a talented, replenished Orioles farm system. He has been assigned to Baltimore’s FCL affiliate in the interim, though it would not be surprising to see him join Low-A Delmarva for what would be his full-season debut before long.

(Picture of Harold Rivas: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Which prospect did Red Sox acquire from Giants for Marcelo Mayer?

In addition to left-handed reliever Erik Miller, the Red Sox acquired outfield prospect Carlos Gutierrez from the Giants for infielder Marcelo Mayer ahead of Monday evening’s trade deadline.

Gutierrez, who turns 22 later this month, was ranked by Baseball America as San Francisco’s No. 24 prospect. The left-handed hitter spent the first four months of the 2026 season at High-A Eugene, batting .271/.385/.441 with 18 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, 45 RBIs, 65 runs scored, 26 stolen bases, 54 walks, and 70 strikeouts over 83 games (357 plate appearances). He slashed .242/.383/.379 against lefties and .279/.385/.459 against righties.

Among 36 qualified Northwest League hitters, Gutierrez ranks first in speed score (8.1) and wSB (3.7), sixth in walk rate (15.1%), eighth in wRC+ (124), ninth in on-base percentage, OPS (.827), and strikeout rate (19.6%), 10th in swinging-strike rate (10.4%), 11th in wOBA (.378), 14th in batting average, 15th in slugging percentage, and 17th in isolated power (.171), according to FanGraphs.

Defensively, Gutierrez saw most of his playing time with Eugene this season come in left field. In 64 starts, the 5-foot-9, 180-pounder committed three errors and recorded four assists in 105 chances over 549 2/3 innings. He also made one start in center field and 18 starts at DH. Last year, he made 47 starts in right field, so he has experience at both corners.

A Mexico native, Gutierrez originally signed with the Giants for $32,500 as an international free agent in January 2023. He made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League shortly thereafter and made the jump stateside in 2024, though he was limited to just three games due to a lower back issue. In 2025, he batted .351/.445/.452 in 60 games for Low-A San Jose before suffering a season-ending lower back injury in late June.

Per his Baseball America scouting report, Gutierrez’s “hit tool is based around supreme bat control that allows him to manipulate the barrel to all sectors of the strike zone while rarely offering at pitches outside of it.” Additionally, he “is an above-average runner who can hack it in center field but might defer to a stronger defender at the position. His average arm would fit best in left field, but a move to the corner without the corresponding power jump might leave him as a bit of a profile issue.”

When addressing reporters (including MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith) on Monday, Red Sox chief officer Craig Breslow spoke highly of Gutierrez.

“He was a guy that our scouting department had identified,” Breslow said. “I think exciting, maybe kind of under the radar left-handed bat, right-handed thrower. Signed out of Mexico. Good job by San Francisco because we’re excited and really appreciate the talent. … Really excited about what he brings.”

Gutierrez has been assigned to High-A Greenville, where he should help fill the void left behind by fellow outfielder Enddy Azocar, who was part of the prospect-laden package the Red Sox sent to the Orioles in the Adley Rutschman trade on Monday.

(Picture of Marcelo Mayer: Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)

Which prospect did Red Sox trade to Braves for Eli White?

In their second of three moves ahead of Monday evening’s trade deadline, the Red Sox acquired veteran outfielder Eli White from the Braves for rookie right-hander Tyler Uberstine.

This article will focus on Uberstine, who was ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 19 prospect after making his major league debut earlier this season.

Uberstine made one relief appearance for the Red Sox on April 5, an 8-6 loss to the Padres at Fenway Park. The 27-year-old right-hander allowed one earned run on three hits, one walk, and two strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings. He was ultimately charged with the losing decision after giving up a go-ahead home run to Jackson Merrill to lead off the top of the eighth.

Uberstine was sent back down to Triple-A Worcester the following day but landed on the 7-day injured list with right shoulder soreness on April 16. He returned to the mound in late May and made four rehab appearances for High-A Greenville before rejoining the WooSox on June 14. In 12 outings (one start) since then, he has pitched to a 2.82 ERA with 28 strikeouts to just five walks across 22 1/3 innings while holding opponents to a .192 batting average.

Overall, Uberstine forged a 2.81 ERA with 37 strikeouts to 11 walks in 15 appearances (two starts) spanning 32 innings for Worcester this season. Opposing International League hitters slashed .188/.278/.286 in 129 trips to the plate against him.

Uberstine was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 19th round (556th overall) of the 2021 draft. To get to that point, the righty had to overcome quite a bit. He did not receive any college offers as an undersized high school recruit and unsuccessfully attempted to walk on at USC before transferring to Northwestern. Following his senior season with the Wildcats, he impressed in the MLB Draft League, earning a chance to begin his professional career with Boston.

The recipient of a $97,500 signing bonus, Uberstine debuted in the Florida Complex League in July 2021. He then split his first full season in pro ball between Low-A Salem and Greenville before blowing out his elbow and missing all of 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Upon returning to action in 2024, he pitched in the Arizona Fall League and carried some positive momentum into 2025.

In 25 outings (21 starts) between Double-A Portland and Worcester last season, Uberstine posted a 3.58 ERA with 137 strikeouts to 41 walks over 120 2/3 innings. The California native was recognized as the WooSox’ Co-Most Valuable Pitcher and SoxProspects.com’s Comeback Player of the Year. He was then added to Boston’s 40-man roster in November alongside Shane Drohan and David Sandlin (who have also since been traded) for Rule 5 protection purposes.

Following Monday’s trade, Uberstine can add another chapter to his underdog story. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound hurler provides the Braves with a five-pitch mix consisting of a mid-90s fastball that has reached 97 mph, an upper-80s cutter, a lower-90s sinker, a mid-80s changeup, and a lower-80s sweeper.

Uberstine has been optioned by the Braves to Triple-A Gwinnett. Given his intriguing arsenal and upside as a reliever, it would not be surprising to see him contribute out of the bullpen for Atlanta down the stretch.

(Picture of Tyler Uberstine: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Which three prospects did Red Sox trade to Orioles in Adley Rutschman deal?

The Red Sox made a significant move to acquire three-time All-Star Adley Rutschman from the division rival Orioles before Monday evening’s trade deadline.

In exchange for Rutschman, backup catcher Jake Rogers, and cash considerations, Boston traded backstop Carlos Narvaez, minor league right-handers Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, minor league outfielder Enddy Azocar, and a player to be named later or cash considerations to Baltimore.

This article will focus on the three prospects switching sides in this blockbuster: Eyanson, Witherspoon, and Azocar. Baseball America had Eyanson as Boston’s No. 2 prospect, while Witherspoon and Azocar were ranked No. 3 and No. 5 in the system, respectively.

Eyanson, the No. 33 prospect in baseball according to Baseball America, is the headliner of the package going back to the Orioles. The 21-year-old right-hander was selected by the Red Sox in the third round (87th overall) of last summer’s draft out of Louisiana State. He received an above-slot $1.75 million signing bonus and is now four months into his first full professional season.

In 16 outings (15 starts) between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland, Eyanson posted a 1.32 ERA with 94 strikeouts to 26 walks over 68 1/3 innings in which opponents batted .152 against him. He represented the Red Sox in the All-Star Futures Game and struck out a career-high of 10 in his last start with the organization on July 31.

Eyanson worked to add power to his arsenal and raise his arm slot over the winter. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound righty showed encouraging signs in his first spring training and has only taken off from there. He now operates with a 92-95 mph fastball that has topped out at 97.5 mph in-season while also featuring a mid-80s gyro slider, a high-70s curveball, a mid-80s splitter, and a high-80s cutter.

Witherspoon, who turns 22 next week, is ranked by Baseball America as the No. 97 prospect in baseball. The young right-hander was selected by the Red Sox with the 15th overall pick in last summer’s draft out of Oklahoma. He received a below-slot $5 million signing bonus and, like Eyanson, made his professional debut with Greenville in April.

Unlike Eyanson, though, Witherspoon has not had the smoothest of transitions to pro ball. In 17 starts for Greenville, he posted a 4.78 ERA with 78 strikeouts to 34 walks over 75 1/3 innings in which opponents batted .256 against him. His best stretch came from May 24-June 26, when he forged a 2.64 ERA across six starts (30 2/3 innings). He then pitched to a 4.91 ERA in four July outings.

Despite the inconsistencies that have come with some mechanical adjustments, Eyanson still boasts plenty of potential. Now working with a delivery closer to what he was doing at Oklahoma, the 6-foot-2, 206-pound righty sits in the mid-90s with a fastball that has been up to 97.6 mph this season. He also throws a slider, cutter, and curveball.

Azocar, unlike Eyanson and Witherspoon, is not ranked within Baseball America’s top 100. The 19-year-old Venezuelan originally signed with the Red Sox for $40,000 as an international free agent in January 2024. He made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League that season, then started turning heads as he worked his way from the Florida Complex League to Low-A Salem in 2025.

In 85 games between Salem and Greenville to begin the 2026 campaign, Azocar batted .286/.341/.540 with 27 doubles, six triples, 18 home runs, 63 RBIs, 76 runs scored, 11 stolen bases, 28 walks, and 95 strikeouts over 399 plate appearances. The right-handed hitter slashed .343/.400/.685 in 80 plate appearances against lefties and .272/.326/.503 in 319 plate appearances against righties.

Defensively, Azocar saw most of his playing time this season come in center field. Across 70 total starts (40 with Greenville, 30 with Salem), the athletic 6-foot-2, 195-pounder committed only two errors and recorded four assists in 156 chances over 614 1/3 innings. He also made one start in left, one start in right, and 13 starts at DH between the two stops.

Immediately following Monday’s trade, Eyanson was assigned to the Orioles’ Double-A Chesapeake affiliate. Witherspoon and Azocar, on the other hand, were assigned to High-A Frederick.

(Picture of Anthony Eyanson: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Who did Red Sox send to Tigers to complete Jahmai Jones trade?

On July 14, the Red Sox acquired outfielder Jahmai Jones from the Tigers in exchange for a player to be named later.

That trade was officially completed on Saturday, as Boston sent pitching prospect Jojo Ingrassia to Detroit as the player to be named later, per announcements from both clubs.

Ingrassia was ranked by MLB Pipeline as Boston’s No. 30 prospect. The 24-year-old left-hander had spent all of this season at High-A Greenville, posting a 3.27 ERA with 59 strikeouts to 22 walks over 13 appearances (11 starts) and 44 innings. Opposing hitters batted .195 against him.

Among 86 pitchers who entered play Saturday having thrown at least 40 innings in the South Atlantic League this year, Ingrassia ranked third in swinging-strike rate (17.6%), seventh in xFIP (3.85), eighth in batting average against, FIP (3.45), and strikeout rate (33%), and 10th in ERA, strikeouts per nine, and WHIP (1.18), according to FanGraphs.

Ingrassia was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 14th round (418th overall) of the 2023 draft out of Cal State Fullerton. He received a $150,000 signing bonus and made his professional debut with Low-A Salem the following April, ultimately earning 2024 Carolina League Post-Season All-Star honors after forging a 1.85 ERA with 93 strikeouts to 20 walks over 58 1/3 innings.

Ingrassia made the jump to Greenville in 2025 but was limited to just four appearances (17 innings) before being shut down with shoulder soreness. He made up for lost time in the Arizona Fall League, though he struggled to a 9.00 ERA with 13 strikeouts to nine walks over 10 innings for the Salt River Rafters.

Overall, Ingrassia owns a 2.56 ERA with 173 strikeouts to 46 walks across 38 career outings (23 starts) and 119 1/3 innings in the minors. In addition to missing time with shoulder soreness last season, he was sidelined for most of May with a left elbow strain. He has been hindered by rotator cuff issues in the past as well.

When healthy, though, Ingrassia has proven to be rather effective. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound southpaw features a deceptive delivery, allowing him to fool hitters regularly. He primarily operates with a 92-94 mph fastball that tops out at 95 mph, a mid-80s changeup, and a low-80s slider.

Ingrassia, who just turned 24 on July 24, will report to the Tigers’ High-A affiliate in West Michigan. From there, he will likely be aiming for a promotion to Double-A Erie. He can become Rule 5-eligible for the first time this winter if he is not added to Detroit’s 40-man roster after the season ends.

(Picture of Jojo Ingrassia: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Which prospect did Red Sox trade to Athletics for infielder Brett Harris?

The Red Sox swung a trade with the Athletics on Wednesday morning, acquiring infielder Brett Harris in exchange for minor league right-hander Ben Hansen, per a club announcement.

To make room for Harris, who was designated for assignment by the Athletics on Saturday, on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox designated veteran reliever Tommy Kahnle for assignment. Harris has since been optioned to Triple-A Worcester.

Hansen, like Harris, switches organizations for the first time in his professional career with this trade. The 24-year-old righty was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 20th round (597th overall) of the 2024 draft out of Brigham Young. He signed for $50,000 and made his pro debut last April.

After spending all of 2025 at Low-A Salem, where he posted a 6.23 ERA (4.56 FIP) over 60 2/3 innings, Hansen opened the 2026 season with High-A Greenville. In 13 appearances (two starts) for the Drive, Hansen forged a 4.75 ERA (3.93 FIP) with 52 strikeouts to 14 walks across 41 2/3 innings in which opponents batted .248 against him.

Among 58 pitchers who have thrown at least 40 innings in the South Atlantic League this year, Hansen ranks third in xFIP (3.64), eighth in walk rate (7.6%), 10th in walks per nine (3.02), 11th in strikeouts per nine (11.23), 12th in groundball rate (49.1%), 13th in strikeout rate (28.3%), 14th in FIP, 18th in WHIP (1.32), and 27th in ERA, according to FanGraphs.

Hansen, who turned 24 in March, was not ranked among Boston’s top pitching prospects by SoxProspects.com. The outlet notes that the 6-foot-6, 210-pound California native “worked out at Tread Athletics during the offseason” and “reported to camp in 2026 with improved stuff, adding 1-2 mph of velocity to his fastball among other steps forward.”

Hansen becomes the fifth member of the Red Sox’ 2024 draft class to be traded, joining first-rounder Braden Montgomery, fourth-rounder Zach Ehrhard, fifth-rounder Brandon Clarke, and sixth-rounder Blake Aita. He has been assigned to the Athletics’ High-A affiliate in Lansing, Mich., where he will likely have the opportunity to earn a promotion to Double-A before the season ends.

(Picture of Ben Hansen: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Former Red Sox prospect James Tibbs III becomes first to reach 20 home runs in PCL this season

One year and one day after making his Red Sox organizational debut, Dodgers prospect James Tibbs III became the first hitter in the Pacific Coast League to reach the 20 home run mark this season.

Tibbs proved to be the hero for Triple-A Oklahoma City in Thursday’s matinee against Sacramento at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. After going hitless in his first four at-bats, the 23-year-old slugger led off the bottom of the 10th inning by belting a 360-foot two-run shot over the left field wall, driving in old friend Ryan Fitzgerald and himself to lift the Comets to a 5-4 win over the River Cats in walk-off fashion.

With Thursday’s late-game heroics, Tibbs became the eighth hitter across Minor League Baseball so far in 2026 to reach the 20-homer mark. The left-handed hitter also matched his home run total from last season, his first full professional campaign, doing so in 54 fewer games.

Overall, Tibbs is batting .297/.413/.602 with 17 doubles, two triples, 20 home runs, 61 RBIs, 63 runs scored, three stolen bases, 51 walks, and 83 strikeouts through 69 games (320 plate appearances) for Oklahoma City this season, his first at the Triple-A level. He is slashing .310/.404/.690 against lefties and .291/.416/.560 against righties in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

Defensively, Tibbs has primarily been used at two positions by the Comets. The 5-foot-11, 201-pounder has made 25 starts at first base (where he has committed three errors in 216 chances) and 22 starts in right field (where he has committed four errors and recorded one assist in 45 chances). He has also made 20 starts at DH, including Thursday, and has prior experience in left field.

For as successful as Tibbs has been this season, it may come as a surprise that he is already with his third organization since being drafted in 2024. The Florida State product was taken 13th overall by the Giants that summer and signed for $4.7475 million, only to be traded to the Red Sox as the top prospect switching teams in last June’s Rafael Devers blockbuster. He then spent all of six-plus weeks in Boston’s system at Double-A Portland before being dealt once again ahead of July’s trade deadline, this time to the Dodgers alongside fellow minor leaguer Zach Ehrhard for Dustin May.

The Red Sox, for what it is worth, never seemed overly enamored by Tibbs in the first place. They had an opportunity to draft him with the 12th overall pick in 2024, but chose another college outfielder in Braden Montgomery (who was later dealt to the White Sox as part of the Garrett Crochet trade). Upon acquiring Tibbs from the Giants, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and Co. attempted to alter his swing (to no avail) and subsequently made him available to other teams in trade deadline talks. The Dodgers, looking to move on from a struggling free agent-to-be in May, happily obliged.

“Breslow’s willingness to include Tibbs to acquire a fringe rental starter surprised members of the Red Sox, Dodgers, and Giants front offices, sources with those teams said,” The Boston Globe’s Tim Healey wrote last week. “The Dodgers ‘couldn’t agree to that fast enough,’ a source said, when the Sox proposed giving up Tibbs and Ehrhard.”

As he explained to MLB.com’s Cole Weintraub last August, Tibbs worked with Double-A Tulsa hitting coach Blake Gailen to refine his swing and return to the form he showed at Florida State, where he earned 2024 ACC Player of the Year honors in his last season with the Seminoles. The adjustments have seemingly paid off. This year alone, he received his first invitation to major league spring training, made the All-Spring Breakout First Team, and has twice been named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week.

Tibbs, who does not turn 24 until October, is currently ranked by Baseball America as the Dodgers’ No. 13 prospect. If he were not positionally blocked, he likely would have made his major league debut by now. Instead, he now projects as one of the summer’s more intriguing trade chips as Los Angeles aims for a third straight World Series title, leaving the Red Sox to wonder what could have been.

(Picture of James Tibbs III: Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

Former Red Sox prospect James Tibbs III named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week

Former Red Sox prospect James Tibbs III has been named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week for the week of March 31-April 5, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

Tibbs, now a member of the Dodgers organization, had a monster week for Triple-A Oklahoma City in its series against Las Vegas. Appearing in all six games, the left-handed hitting 23-year-old went 10-for-25 (.400) with one double, five home runs, five RBIs, nine runs scored, four walks, and seven strikeouts. He doubled and homered on Tuesday, recorded two more hits on Wednesday, homered again on Thursday, singled and scored one run on Friday, went deep three times on Saturday, and drew one walk on Sunday.

Even after going hitless in Sunday’s series finale, Tibbs is still slashing a ridiculous .474/.535/1.184 with four doubles, one triple, seven home runs, 13 RBIs, 15 runs scored, five walks, and nine strikeouts through nine games (43 plate appearances) for Oklahoma City to begin the season. That includes a .500/.563/1.357 line against lefties and a .458/.519/1.083 line against righties, albeit in a limited sample.

Among those who have made at least 40 trips to the plate in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League early on in 2026, Tibbs ranks first in batting average, slugging percentage, OPS (1.719), isolated power (.711), wOBA (.716), and wRC+ (336), second in on-base percentage, and seventh in line-drive rate (24.1%), per FanGraphs.

On the other side of the ball, Tibbs has made seven starts in right field and two starts at first base for Oklahoma City thus far. At the former, the 5-foot-11, 201-pounder has recorded one assist and committed one error in 12 chances. At the latter, he has yet to commit an error across 18 defensive innings.

Needless to say, Tibbs is on quite a heater to begin his second full professional season. A lot has happened since the Georgia native was selected by the Giants with the 13th overall pick in the 2024 draft out of Florida State. Despite his first-round pedigree, Tibbs was traded to the Red Sox as part of last June’s Rafael Devers blockbuster. Then, after just six-plus weeks in Boston’s system, he was dealt again, this time to the Dodgers alongside fellow outfielder Zach Ehrhard for starter Dustin May on July 31.

While the Red Sox did not get much in the way of production from May, who struggled to a 5.40 ERA in 28 1/3 innings before being shut down with right elbow neuritis in September and leaving for the Cardinals via free agency in December, the Dodgers have to be pleased with what they have seen from Tibbs.

After taking part in his first major league camp as a non-roster invitee this spring, Tibbs opened the 2026 season ranked as Los Angeles’ No. 26 prospect by Baseball America. Even if not entirely sustainable, this strong start at Triple-A should help him climb the rankings and has put him firmly in position for a potential big league debut if the need arises for an otherwise loaded Dodgers team.

(Picture of James Tibbs III: Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

Who did Red Sox send to Cardinals to complete Sonny Gray trade?

In late November, the Red Sox made their first of two significant offseason trades with the Cardinals, acquiring veteran starter Sonny Gray and cash considerations for right-hander Richard Fitts, left-handed pitching prospect Brandon Clarke, and a player to be named later or cash considerations.

On Monday, Boston completed the deal by sending minor league righty Patrick Galle to St. Louis, per announcements from both clubs. Galle will report to the Cardinals’ Low-A affiliate in Palm Beach, Fla.

Galle, who turned 22 on Sunday, gets a belated birthday present in the form of a new organization. The Mississippi native was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 17th round (508th overall) of last year’s draft out of Ole Miss. He received an at-slot $150,000 signing bonus.

Following a solid summer (1.04 ERA in 8 2/3 innings) with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League, Galle made his professional debut for Low-A Salem last August. He appeared in three games for Boston’s Carolina League affiliate to end his 2025 season and then returned to the rebranded RidgeYaks to open the 2026 campaign. Altogether, he owns a 4.91 ERA with seven walks to four strikeouts through the first four relief outings (7 1/3 innings) of his pro career.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, Galle operates with a 95-97 mph fastball that has reached 99 mph, an 89-93 mph cutter, and an 85-88 mph slider. SoxProspects.com, which did not have him ranked among Boston’s top 60 prospects, describes him as a “pure relief prospect with intriguing fastball velocity” who “needs to throw more strikes to be successful in pro ball.”

While sending Galle to the Cardinals completes the Gray deal, the Red Sox still have unfinished business involving players to be named later. They are due to send two players and receive one from the White Sox to finalize the February trade that sent righties Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin to Chicago.

(Picture of Sonny Gray: Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)