Rosters for MLB's annual Spring Breakout games have been announced, and fans of the Boston Red Sox have a lot to be excited about.
Rosters for the Spring Breakout game consist of the top 30 prospects in the second system (according to MLB Pipeline), along with 10 non-ranked prospects that the team decides to use as well.
Of course, everyone knows the big names like Franklin Arias. What about some of the lesser-known prospects, though? Let’s look at some of the players on the Spring Breakout roster who aren’t household names. Which of them could be in store for a big year in 2026?
5 lesser-known Red Sox Spring Breakout prospects who could take a leap in 2026
Hayden Mullins (LHP)
Hayden Mullins was the victim of too much arm talent in the system last season. The left-handed pitcher started the year in High-A despite it being painfully obvious he should be in Double-A, but there were too many pitchers there already.
After just four appearances (three starts) in High-A, he was promoted. However, despite terrorizing Double-A pitchers, he never made it to Triple-A in 2025. Mullins posted a 2.21 ERA, .177 BAA, and 1.11 WHIP in 22 appearances (21 starts) between the two levels. He struck out 123 batters in 101 2/3 innings.
While his strikeout numbers are great, he also walked 51 batters — likely the reason he didn’t get a few games in Triple-A at the end of the year (also, the Red Sox would want pitchers who they would be willing to promote to the majors at that level in September).
Mullins has showcased plenty of swing-and-miss ability. He should get a better spotlight this year with a few of the pitching prospects either graduating or being traded away. If he can cut back on the walks, he’s going to generate a lot of buzz.
Dorian Soto (SS)
Dorian Soto is a well-known prospect for the sickos. If you follow Boston’s farm system at all, you’ve likely heard of him. But only those who are actually digging into the farm system are going to be as excited as they should be.
Soto has yet to play affiliate ball; in fact, he hasn’t even been Stateside. The right-handed hitting shortstop spent 2025 in the DSL, where he slashed .307/.362/.428 with 10 doubles, two triples, and two home runs in 47 games. He drove in 18 runs, scored 27 more, and stole one base.
Soto is a good fielder with phenomenal potential with his bat. If he has a strong showing during extended Spring Training, we could see him in Single-A earlier than expected. Remember, Justin Gonzales only appeared in one game in the FCL before jumping to Single-A, so it’s not out of the question.
Whenever we do get Soto in Single-A, the hype train is going to leave the station quickly. Having just turned 18 in February, we will still be seeing a raw version of Soto, but that should be enough to garner attention and make anyone who wasn’t aware of his game suddenly very aware.
Enddy Azocar (OF)
Enddy Azocar being promoted to Single-A should’ve gotten more attention last season. Salem already having Justin Gonzales (and Franklin Arias already being promoted to High-A) by the time Azocar got there lowered the hype, but if anything, that should’ve made people more excited.
Azocar’s numbers didn’t reflect how he played. The right-handed hitter slashed .202/.273/.314 with nine doubles, one triple, and six home runs in 71 games with Salem. He drove in 26 runs, scored 34 more, and stole 11 bases.
Strikeouts were a bit of an issue, too. Azocar struck out 67 times in 287 plate appearances (23.3%). However, there was also a lot to like.
Azocar just turned 19 in February; he was one of the youngest players in the Carolina League. He was 2.5 years younger than the average age there. Despite that, Azocar produced plenty of highlights. He looked good in the outfield, showcased plus speed, and has some power that could improve as he fills out. Most importantly, Azocar went 12-for-36 (.333) with three doubles and a home run in his final nine games of the season. Clearly, something was clicking.
Azocar will get a full season in affiliate baseball in 2026. He now has some experience in Single-A, is a bit more mature, and might get to High-A this season (getting him out of that cavernous Salem ballpark). If things click, Azocar jumps into view for the national media.
John Holobetz (RHP)
John Holobetz was part of the Quinn Priester trade and immediately endeared himself to anyone paying attention to the minor league system. He was phenomenal the entire season.
The right-handed pitcher posted a 3.43 ERA, .276 BAA, and 1.25 WHIP in 12 appearances (11 starts) in High-A. He struck out 62 batters compared to just 10 walks in 63 innings.
Holobetz somehow improved after being promoted to Double-A. With Portland, he recorded a 2.39 ERA, .205 BAA, and 0.85 WHIP in six appearances (five starts). The Pottsville, PA native struck out 27 batters compared to five walks in 37 2/3 innings.
Holobetz didn’t post big strikeout numbers, but the incredibly low walk rate is more important. His top-tier control gives the Red Sox a strong base to work with. It also helps that he has a plus fastball that already sits in the low-to-mid 90s. If the pitching lab can add some velocity, we’ll see more strikeouts.
Holobetz also has three decent but not great offspeed pitches. If he can improve on one or more of them this offseason, he’ll take a monster step forward. Even without clear improvements, Holobetz should garner much more public attention if he just continues what he was doing last year. Putting up those numbers while being close to the majors will almost certainly get people talking.
Gerardo Rodriguez (C)
The turnaround of the catching position in the system in a single offseason has been incredible. Boston added a ton of catching prospects, and suddenly, it’s a crowded position instead of one begging for someone to break through. Even with the additions, Gerardo Rodriguez should get a chance to prove himself.
Rodriguez got some buzz for being a solid defensive catcher with a fantastic arm. However, he showcased zero power in 2024. He went an impressive 8-for-21 in a small sample of Single-A, but all eight hits were singles, with multiple not even leaving the infield.
Maybe that power outage is why Rodriguez started 2025 back in the FCL. If that’s the case, it worked. Rodriguez returned to Salem in August and immediately displayed some new power. The right-handed hitter slashed .297/.372/.500 with four doubles, one triple, and three home runs in 22 games in Single-A. He drove in 11 runs, scored nine more, and stole one base.
Meanwhile, the arm was on full display the entire year. Between the FCL and Single-A, Rodriguez threw out 46 of 135 attempted base stealers. That’s 34%, which would be solid in the Majors and is fantastic in low levels of the minor leagues.
It’s hard to imagine there would be some media love for a catcher with a strong arm and a rapidly improving bat if Rodriguez’s progression continues in 2026.