As recent as 2020, the Boston Red Sox had one of the most anemic farm systems in the sport. Back then it was a system anchored by first-base prospects Triston Casas and Bobby Dalbec.
While the former has turned himself into a nice big-league piece, the latter has played most of the last two seasons at Triple-A Worcester. Shortstop Jeter Downs was the only other truly notable piece in the organization in 2020. Now 26, Downs is jumping between organizations and has just 20 games at the big league level.
Truly, it’s been a remarkable come-up in Boston on the farm.
DEVELOPMENTS
Kristian Campbell went from fourth-round flyer to top prospect in 2024, posting big numbers at three stops, the last in Triple-A to put him on the map for 2025.
Campbell fills the stat sheet thanks to above-average or better tools, producing power and speed and a real chance to impact the game in all facets.
The most work remains in the field where it’s unclear where he’ll land, but he has experience at both middle-infield spots and in the outfield. Scouts are bullish on the bat, but the overall profile relies on Campbell’s ability to lock down a defensive spot and play it well. The default here is left field where the pressure isn’t as great and he can comfortably grow into the role.
Shortstop Franklin Arias followed up a big year in the DSL with another one split between Rookie ball and Single-A. His bat speed, contact ability, and fast-twitch ability suggest a shortstop long-term with a shot to hit for high average and steal bases.
Right-hander Luis Perales was outstanding in nine starts until his UCL required surgery. He’ll miss most if not all of 2025, but should not be lost in the shuffle of the big picture in Boston.
Perales was touching 98 mph or better in every outing and missing a lot of bats with both the fastball and slider. He’s mostly a two-pitch arm, but his high slot generates a funky look and deception and he’s just 21. In a starting role he may take some time, but his first health month back could include relief work in the majors.
First-round pick Mikey Romero has been running under the radar a bit the last year or so, likely thanks to a poor 2023 showing. But he rebounded in 2024, slashing .271/.312/.509, including a few weeks in Double-A where he likely starts 2025. Romero should be on the club’s up-and-down shuttle as early as this coming season should the need for an infielder present itself.
Roman Anthony and Marcel Mayer stayed on track to not only debut but potentially star in Boston. Both garner 55 or better Future Value tags from the scouting community.
QUESTIONS
The Red Sox’s ascension in the position player department has been nothing short of remarkable. It’s a system so flush with bats the lineup figures to have impact reinforcements in hand for the next couple of seasons, assuming reasonably-stable development.
But pitching hasn’t come on quite as flush. Since the Red Sox have yet to invest early draft picks on the mound, they’ll need to create pitching from less decorated pedigrees. They’ve certainly found some success in that regard.
Righty David Sandlin has always had the look of a starting pitcher going back to his days at Oklahoma. It just never comes on in force. That seems to have changed in 2024. After being acquired from the Royals for reliever John Schreiber in the spring, Sandlin went on to strikeout 88 batters in just 57.1 innings last year across High-A and Double-A. It wasn’t all lollipops and sunshine, however.
Sandlin’s fastball got pummeled at times and homers did a number on his baseball card. But Sandlin appears close to a breakout. He’ll sit in the upper 90s at times early in outings and has flashed a slider/sweeper combo that can get hitters out who have to cheat on velocity.
There’s also a splitter he’ll show to lefties. Getting more value out of his pure arm talent could unlock his ability to reach what some believe is No. 3 starter upside.
Left-handed starter Connelly Early is another player to keep an eye on in 2025. He’s still got questions on his profile, but it’s continued a steady climb the last two years. A fifth-round pick in 2023, Early has always been a bit more of a crafty arm than an overpowering one. He’ll live in the low 90s and likes to throw a dancing changeup early and often.
The changeup is plus. A low-80s sweeper and bigger, slower curveball round out his profile. It remains to be seen whether it’s a “stuffy” enough profile to be more than a No. 5 starter at the next level, but his 138 strikeouts across 103.2 innings last year up into Double-A suggest it could all come together in 2025.
Outside of Early and Sandlin a few other arms are certainly worth tracking next season, all of whom could take a jump. 2024 second-rounder Payton Tolle offers a unique look for hitters with a low release and deceptive angles. Richard Fitts was a sixth-rounder by the Yankees in 2021 and has been up to 98, reaching Triple-A last year. Hunter Dobbins was an eighth-rounder in 2021 and similarly has a smattering of average pitches that could get him to the big leagues next year after being added to the 40-man roster this winter.
The Red Sox need to find more ceiling on the mound as it pertains to pitching prospects. It remains to be seen where that’s going to come from.
Maybe trading pieces from their farm for names like Garrett Crochet or Luis Castillo makes sense. Or maybe spending on free-agent starting pitchers will be their direction. But either way, they need to elevate their output on the bump.
| LEVEL | TEAM | W-L | TOP PROSPECT |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | Worcester | 79-71 | Roman Anthony, OF |
| AA | Portland | 78-60 | Marcelo Mayer, SS |
| A+ | Greenville | 64-69 | Miguel Bleis, OF |
| A | Salem | 70-62 | Franklin Arias, SS |
| R | Red Sox | 35-24 | Conrad Cason, SS/RHP |
| DSL | Red | 42-14 | Dalvinson Reyes, RHP |
| DSL | Blue | 27-26 | Justin Gonzalez, OF |
ADDITIONS & SUBRACTIONS
After making multiple moves last winter to add talent (LHP Chris Sale for IF Vaughn Grissom; OF Alex Verdugo for RHPs Nicholas Judice, and Richard Fitt; RHP John Schreiber for RHP Sandlin), the Red Sox followed up in July swapping 2B Nick Yorke for RHP Quinn Priester, and acquiring C Danny Jansen in exchange for SS Cutter Coffey, SS Eddinson Paulino, and RHP Gilberto Batista.
The Sox also traded SS Moises Bolivar for LHP James Paxton and RHP CJ Weins for RHP Trey Wingenter.
In the Draft, Boston added a ton of college talent, led by Braden Montgomery at No. 12 overall. Lefty Tolle may offer the club a mid-rotation arm inside a few years, while third-round pick Brandon Neely has high-leverage reliever written all over him.
The club gave eighth-round pick Conrad Cason $1.25 million, more than a million over the pick value. Cason is a two-way talent out of Kennesaw State, flashing in both roles with big arm strength, above-average speed, and a chance to hit for power and command three big-league pitches.
GRADUATIONS
Wilyer Abreu, OF
David Hamilton, IF
Nick Sogard, IF
Mickey Gasper, 2B
Ceddanne Rafaela, UT
Cam Booser, LHP
Greg Weissert, RHP
Justin Slaten, RHP
Abreu was among the top rookies in baseball in 2024 and Rafaela served an important multi-position role despite the inconsistent offensive performance.
Slaten, Weissert, and Booser played major roles in the club’s bullpen in 2024.
BIG-LEAGUE RADAR
Mayer, SS
Anthony, OF
Campbell, 2B
Kyle Teel, C
Miguel Bleis, OF
Perales, RHP
Sandlin, RHP
Chase Meidroth, 2B
Jhostynxon Garcia, OF
Fitts, RHP
Wikelman Gonzalez, RHP
Dobbins, RHP
Early, LHP
Zach Penrod, LHP
SCOUT SAYS
“I think they have a grinder in Mayer, I really do. He coasted for a year, then got hit in the face (2023), and not only bounced back but looked better than ever. If he can stay healthy I see a lot of DJ LeMahieu in him at the plate and there will be more consistent power in this one.”
