The Boston Red Sox are looking to improve next season. After an 81-81 campaign in 2024, Boston is expected to be a bit more competitive in the American League East.
Although we are amidst the MLB offseason with big-time free-agent signings and team-altering trades at every turn, it's also a time to look within and see which players are primed to consistently produce next year.
The Red Sox are flooded with young talent — some have MLB experience and some are top prospects in all of baseball. Here are four players in a spot to break out for Boston next season, all of whom could find a spot in the everyday lineup at some point.
4 young players who could break out for the Red Sox in 2025
1. Roman Anthony
The No. 1 prospect in Boston's system is also the third highest-ranked player in all of Minor League Baseball. The 20-year-old outfielder was promoted from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester last season and lit up the charts with the WooSox.
Across 35 games, Roman Anthony smacked 16 extra-base hits and batted .344 with 31 walks and 33 runs scored. In his last seven contests to close the lid on 2024, Anthony flicked nine hits and drove in six runs, which has led to him surging to one of the top spots among MiLB's best. It looks like Boston wants him in the majors in 2025, which could force another outfielder out of a job if the front office opts to build the roster elsewhere.
ROMAN ANTHONY'S FIRST TRIPLE-A HOME RUN WAS DEMOLISHED. pic.twitter.com/L3BzgHnVJ4
— Worcester Red Sox (@WooSox) August 20, 2024
2. Marcelo Mayer
Marcelo Mayer is the No. 7 prospect in all of baseball and is expected to make the jump to the majors next season, though it may not be immediate. Mayer was dealt with a lumbar strain that sidelined him for the last couple of months of the year, but the 21-year-old batted .307 with Double-A Portland before ending his season.
He boasted 36 extra-base hits in 77 games, and with a 60-grade arm tool, Mayer might have a spot somewhere for him within the infield if he is not traded.
3. Ceddanne Rafaela
The 24-year-old competed in his first full season in the big leagues in 2024, and was an impactful player. Ceddanne Rafaela played 87 games in the outfield and 82 games at shortstop. His versatility was crucial for the Red Sox, offering a 1.9 dWAR, per Baseball Reference.
Rafaela, a crowd favorite, strung together 43 extra-base hits. He just needs to find more consistency at the plate. He batted .304 in June and .287 in July to prove he can be an everyday player. He needs more time to find his footing to avoid striking out 150-plus times again.
4. Enmanuel Valdéz
Enmanuel Valdéz had a rollercoaster of a 2024 season. He was optioned and recalled numerous times and was unable to get consistent at-bats with Boston until the final month of the campaign. In September, he batted .161, but it was his first month back of playing every day since June. That month, he was a .290 hitter with four home runs, showing that he can play in each game.
The 25-year-old spent six and a half seasons in the Houston Astros' farm, but he may be right at home in Boston if the Red Sox allow him to see consistent at-bats.
Boston has a busy offseason. Whether the Sox are trying to chase down an ace to fulfill their starting rotation or trade away players owed more money, they can at least hang their hat on relying on some younger talent to break out in 2025.