Tag: zach ehrhard

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)

    Which two prospects did Red Sox trade to Dodgers for Dustin May?

    Before Thursday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline struck, the Red Sox added to their rotation depth by swinging a last-minute deal with the reigning World Series champion Dodgers.

    In exchange for right-hander Dustin May, who is eligible for free agency at season’s end, Boston sent minor league first baseman/outfielder James Tibbs III and minor league outfielder Zach Ehrhard to Los Angeles. Fellow righty Tanner Houck was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room for May on the 40-man roster, the club announced.

    Tibbs’ tenure in the Red Sox organization ended up being short-lived. The 22-year-old was acquired from the Giants alongside right-hander Jordan Hicks, left-hander Kyle Harrison, and minor league righty Jose Bello in the blockbuster trade that sent star slugger Rafael Devers (and the remainder of his contract) to San Francisco on June 15. He was ranked by both Baseball America and SoxProspects.com as Boston’s No. 10 prospect, while MLB Pipeline had him at No. 5.

    Originally selected by the Giants with the 13th overall pick in last summer’s draft out of Florida State, Tibbs (who received a $4,747,500 million signing bonus) was playing at the High-A level at the time of the trade but received a bump up to Double-A Portland upon switching organizations for the first time in his young career. The left-handed hitter then batted .207/.319/.267 with two doubles, one triple, one home run, seven RBIs, 16 runs scored, two stolen bases, 19 walks, and 39 strikeouts in 30 games (138 plate appearances) for the Sea Dogs.

    Defensively, Tibbs saw playing time at three different positions in his brief stint with Portland. The 6-foot, 201-pound Georgia native made 17 starts in right field, five starts in left field, and five starts at first base, recording four assists and committing two errors in 69 total chances. He also made three starts at DH.

    Ehrhard, on the other hand, was ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 29 prospect, while MLB Pipeline had him at No. 27 and SoxProspects.com had him at No. 30. Twice-drafted by the Red Sox, the 22-year-old signed with the club for $500,000 as a fourth-round selection coming out of Oklahoma State last summer. His older brother, Drew, had joined the organization as an undrafted free agent out of Division II Tampa in July 2023.

    After struggling somewhat in his professional debut last season, Ehrhard hit the ground running out of camp this spring. The speedy right-handed hitter slashed a stout .342/.471/.459 with 10 doubles, one home run, 22 RBIs, 24 runs scored, seven stolen bases, 26 walks, and 27 strikeouts in 31 games (140 plate appearances) for High-A Greenville before receiving a promotion to Portland in late May. He then batted .227/.305/.412 with 13 doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 23 RBIs, 29 runs scored, 16 stolen bases, 20 walks, and 49 strikeouts in 58 games (237 plate appearances) for the Sea Dogs, leading up to Thursday’s trade.

    On the other side of the ball, Ehrhard saw playing time at all three outfield positions between his stops in Greenville and Portland this year. With the Sea Dogs in particular, the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Florida native made 28 starts in right field, 20 starts in left field, and three starts in center, recording one assist without committing an error in 98 total defensive chances. He also made six starts at DH.

    Tibbs, who does not turn 23 until October, and Ehrhard, who does not turn 23 until next January, have been assigned to the Dodgers’ Double-A affiliate in Tulsa, Okla., and will presumably report to the Drillers in the coming days. They join corner infielder Blaze Jordan, who was dealt to the Cardinals for lefty Steven Matz late Wednesday night, as the three prospects the Red Sox parted ways with at this year’s trade deadline.

    “We obviously didn’t get to know James Tibbs as well as Blaze and Zach, but feel like they are really good baseball players,” Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow told reporters (including MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith) earlier Thursday evening. “They are going to go on to have successful careers. Each does something that we like, whether it’s James’ contact. Zach has started to hit the ball pretty hard, really good defender in the outfield. Blaze obviously has been performing really, really well in Triple-A this year.

    “But you have to be willing to give up good players in order to execute deals. We obviously have found that out, and we’re willing to do so,” he continued. “But it felt like the additions of Matz and May were worthwhile, just given the position of our major league team right now.”

    (Picture of Zach Ehrhard: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

    Red Sox to promote OF prospect Zach Ehrhard to Double-A Portland

    With Jhostynxon Garcia set to be promoted to Triple-A Worcester, the Red Sox are elevating fellow outfield prospect Zach Ehrhard from High-A Greenville to Double-A Portland, according to Andrew Parker of Beyond the Monster.

    Ehrhard, 22, is currently regarded by SoxProspects.com as the No. 47 prospect in Boston’s farm system. The right-handed hitter batted .342/.471/.459 with 10 doubles, one home run, 22 RBIs, 24 runs scored, seven stolen bases, 26 walks, and 27 strikeouts in 31 games (140 plate appearances) for Greenville to begin the 2025 season. That includes a ridiculous .418/.484/.582 slash line this month.

    Among qualified hitters in the South Atlantic League, Ehrhard ranks second in batting average, third in on-base percentage, sixth in walk rate (18.6 percent), seventh in OPS (.930), 11th in strikeout rate (19.3 percent), and 15th in slugging percentage, per MiLB.com’s leaderboards.

    Defensively, Ehrhard saw playing time at all three outfield positions while with Greenville. The athletic 5-foot-10, 190-pounder logged 98 innings in left field, 86 1/3 innings in right field, and 52 innings in center field, committing zero errors and recording two assists (both from right) in 43 total chances. He also made four starts at DH.

    A Florida native, Ehrhard was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 13th round of the 2021 draft out of Wharton High School in Tampa. Rather than go pro out of high school, he played collegiately at Oklahoma State for three seasons before re-entering the draft as a junior in 2024. He was then, once again, taken by the Red Sox, only this time in the fourth round (115th overall). As such, he signed for an under-slot $500,000 last July and made the jump straight to Greenville for his professional debut after putting pen to paper.

    Though he struggled some in his first stint with the Drive (.459 OPS in 22 games) last year, Ehrhard has shown out of the gate this season why Baseball America tabbed him as the “best pure hitter” in Boston’s 2024 draft class. That superlative will surely be put to the test once he arrives in Portland to go up against more advanced competition at the Double-A level in the Eastern League. Still, this new challenge comes at an exciting and opportune time.

    In being promoted, Ehrhard will join his older brother, Drew, on the Sea Dogs’ roster. Drew, 26, is in his third season with the Red Sox organization after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Division II Tampa in July 2023. The two brothers will now have the chance to be teammates and possibly share the same field again as soon as Tuesday, when Portland opens a six-game series against Reading at Hadlock Field.

    “I would love that,” Zach said of the possibility of playing with Drew when speaking with MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith last week. “ We’ve already talked about it a bunch because we got to be on the same team in spring training a couple of times, and that was a lot of fun. So hopefully we get to do it again.”

    (Picture of Zach Ehrhard: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

    Red Sox OF prospect Zach Ehrhard goes 5-for-5, hits first professional homer

    Red Sox outfield prospect Zach Ehrhard checked off a pair of career firsts in High-A Greenville’s 9-6 victory over Hub City at Fluor Field on Wednesday afternoon.

    Ehrhard went 5-for-5 out of the five-hole for the Drive. While recording the first five-hit game of his pro career, the 22-year-old crushed a 373-foot three-run shot over Greenville’s Green Monster off Spartanburgers starter Aidan Curry in the first inning for his first professional home run. He reached base four more times to finish the contest with five RBIs and two runs scored.

    After getting his first full season in the professional ranks off to a relatively slow start, Ehrhard has heated up as of late. Following Wednesday’s strong showing, the right-handed hitter is now batting a stout .340/.464/.450 with eight doubles, one home run, 19 RBIs, 20 runs scored, seven stolen bases, 23 walks, and 26 strikeouts through 28 games (125 plate appearances) for Greenville this year.

    Among 85 qualified South Atlantic League hitters coming into play on Thursday, Ehrhard ranks first in line-drive rate (37 percent), second in batting average, third in on-base percentage, fifth in wRC+ (164), sixth in wOBA (.435), seventh in swinging-strike rate (7.4 percent), eighth in walk rate (18.4 percent), ninth in OPS (.914), and 19th in slugging percentage and strikeout rate (20.8 percent), per FanGraphs.

    Defensively, Ehrhard has seen playing time at all three outfield positions for Greenville this season. The athletic 5-foot-10, 190-pounder has logged a team-leading 87 innings in left field, 77 1/3 innings in right field, and 52 innings in center field, committing no errors and recording one assist in 35 total chances. He has also made three starts at DH.

    A Florida native, Ehrhard was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 13th round of the 2021 draft out of Wharton High School in Tampa. He turned down the opportunity to go pro at that time and instead played collegiately at Oklahoma State for three seasons, only to be drafted by the Red Sox again in the fourth round (115th overall) following his junior year last summer.

    This time around, Ehhard signed with Boston for an under-slot $500,000 in late July and made the jump straight to Greenville for his professional debut shortly after putting pen to paper. Though he struggled some in his first stint with the Drive last year (.459 OPS in 22 games), he is currently showing why Baseball America tabbed him as the “best pure hitter” in Boston’s 2024 draft class.

    Ehrhard, who does not turn 23 until January, is not currently regarded among the Red Sox’ top 30 prospects by publications such as Baseball America or MLB Pipeline. He is, however, ranked by SoxProspects.com as the No. 43 prospect in Boston’s farm system, which is up four spots from where he was at this time a little more than a month ago.

    Given how he has fared at the High-A level to this point, one would think a promotion to Double-A Portland could be on the horizon for Ehrhard. Such a move would reunite Zach with his older brother Drew, who plays for the Sea Dogs and is in his third season with the Red Sox organization after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Division II Tampa in July 2023.

    “I would love that,” Zach said of potentially playing with Drew in a recent conversation with MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith. “ We’ve already talked about it a bunch because we got to be on the same team in spring training a couple of times, and that was a lot of fun. So hopefully we get to do it again.”

    (Picture of Zach Ehrhard: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)