5 Red Sox prospects who should make fans more grateful to Dave Dombrowski
Wikelman Gonzalez – signed 2018
The Sox signed Wikelman Gonzalez on the same day they signed Eddinson Paulino.
Now 20 years old, the righty is coming off the longest season of his professional career. His 98 1/3 innings between Low- and High-A were nearly double his previous season-high, and it was definitely an adjustment, as Gonzalez’s 4.21 ERA is by far the worst of his time in the organization.
However, Gonzalez actually pitched pretty effectively at High-A, only allowing five earned runs in 17 innings (four starts). He’s able to limit walks and strikes out a lot of batters.
There’s a chance Gonzalez could make his debut in 2024, but given his age and experience, more likely, his day will come the year after.
Brandon Walter – 26th round, 2019
The scouting report on Brandon Walter describes him as having “a better arsenal than any southpaw in Boston’s system.”
He’s also the only lefty in the organization’s top ten and one of only two in the top 30.
Walter is the oldest player on this list, because the Sox drafted him out of the University of Delaware in 2019, after he’d had Tommy John. Unlike Mata and Gonzalez, two starting pitchers who’ve also been considered for bullpen roles, Walter began the 2021 season in the bullpen and pitched his way into the rotation. He has a low-90s fastball, but the scouting reports are more dazzled by his slider, which is capable of shutting down lefty and righty hitters.
The No. 7 prospect made nine starts for Double-A this season, posting a 2.88 ERA over 50 innings. He struggled more in his two starts for Triple-A, allowing seven earned runs over 7 2/3 innings.
The Sox will spend a significant portion of the offseason upgrading their starting rotation and bullpen, but keep an eye on Walter in spring training. He’s expected to debut next season.
