Fans of the Boston Red Sox have been spoiled over the last few seasons when it comes to prospects taking absurd leaps in development.
In 2023, it was Roman Anthony. Prospect surges such as his are atypical and may not have happened again for some time. However, in 2024, Kristian Campbell and Jhostynxon Garcia double-dipped.
I felt the need to tell everyone that this isn’t something that usually happens and to temper expectations in 2025. Then Payton Tolle steeamrolled through the minor leagues, continuing the trend from years prior.
Fans should measure their expectations when it comes to how long it takes prospects to fully develop, but the Red Sox organization just keeps producing young stars lately. With that in mind, who could take that ridiculous leap in 2026?
5 Boston Red Sox prospects who could take a leap in 2026
Marcus Phillips (RHP)
Marcus Phillips is filling the pitcher quota here. We could’ve gone with Jojo Ingrassia here, but he’s had some injury issues, and with all the new arms in the system, his role in 2026 is uncertain.
Fellow draftees Kyson Witherspoon and Anthony Eyanson are also intriguing options. Witherspoon’s already highly ranked, though. And Phillips feels like the one who could shock people by sprinting through the system.
The right-handed pitcher was the 33rd overall pick in the 2025 draft. He has yet to play in the minor leagues, but possesses terrifying potential. Phillips topped out at 100.8 MPH on his fastball, has a good slider, and a decent changeup. With College World Series experience, Phillips has shown he can rise to the challenge. His stuff could be untouchable in the lower levels of the minors, and we could see him become a top pitching prospect in short order.
Justin Gonzales (OF)
Justin Gonzales is the most recognizable name on this list. MLB Pipeline has him as the No. 7 prospect in Boston’s system as of this writing. He's well positioned to take massive steps. Gonzales feels like a guaranteed top 100 prospect by midseason if he stays healthy — his power is just that exciting.
Gonzales slashed .298/.381/.423 with 23 doubles, two triples, and four home runs in Single-A before finishing the year with a cup of coffee in High-A. The right-handed hitter drove in 27 runs, scored 45 more, and stole 11 bases in 81 games with Salem.
Gonzales has mammoth power potential, and we saw flashes of it. His eye was the most impressive element of his game, though. He showcased the plate vision/discipline of a seasoned veteran, not an 18-year-old. Gonzales posted a strong 9.8% walk rate in Single-A with just a 14.5% strikeout rate.
If Gonzales can put the ball in the air more (57.4% groundball rate), he could have a rise terrifyingly similar to Anthony's.
Maximus Martin (INF)
Maximus Martin was another 2025 draft pick. The right-handed hitting infielder hit the ground running in Single-A and didn’t take long to get promoted to High-A.
Martin slashed .270/.381/.371 with six doubles and a home run between the two levels. He drove in 14 runs, scored 13 more, and stole six bases in 25 games.
Martin appeared in games at second base, shortstop, left field, and center field. That type of versatility doesn’t hurt. But it's his middle-infield talent that will get fans excited, and the Red Sox could use some long-term answers there.
Martin showcased good athleticism, fantastic patience at the plate, and legitimate power. With a full offseason and already some time in High-A, we could see Martin terrorize Greenville’s opponents for a while.
Enddy Azocar (OF)
Enddy Azocar didn’t put up great numbers after being promoted to Single-A towards the end of May. However, anyone who watched him play couldn’t care less about the batting average. Azocar very clearly has something special.
Will he put it all together? That’s a different question. We’ve seen glimpses of greatness from Miguel Bleis over the last few years, but he can’t seem to get everything going for an extended period of time. His elite potential still shines through, and we saw the same from Azocar in 2025.
The right-handed hitting outfielder slashed .202/.273/.314 with nine doubles, one triple, and six home runs in Single-A. He drove in 26 runs, scored 34 more, and stole 11 bases in 71 games. The slash line wasn’t great, but you saw glimpses of the power, and his speed was on display. A 23.3% strikeout rate could be improved, but it wasn’t miserable, either.
Azocar was also only 18 (doesn’t turn 19 until February 24), and playing his home games in a notorious pitcher-friendly park. With some experience at the level, don’t be shocked if Azocar hits the ground running in 2026 and finds himself in High-A by June. From there, who knows? Maybe even a cup of coffee in Portland to end the year.
Skylar King (OF)
That’s right, we’re going with three 2025 draft picks. Is that laziness or creativity?
Skylar King was impressive in his short stint in pro baseball last season. The West Virginia product was a human highlight reel in the outfield, making diving plays, leaping grabs, sliding stops, and chucking people out on the base paths.
Meanwhile, his bat looked solid in Single-A, and he showcased some top-tier speed. The power isn’t going to get anyone excited, but everything else is there. The left-handed hitter slashed .258/.359/.382 with two doubles, three triples, and one home run in Single-A. He drove in nine runs, scored 15 more, and stole seven bases in 25 games.
King will win people over with his defense, while not-so-quietly getting on base at a strong clip and swiping a ton of bags. We could see 40-plus pilfers from him if he plays a full season.
King likely won’t get the Anthony leap. His lack of power will hold him down. However, King will become one of those prospects that everyone knows because of how electric he is. Elite speed and defense will get you far, and King has both.