Brandon Clarke and Franklin Arias turned heads in the first month of the minor league season. Therefore, it's no surprise that the Boston Red Sox are promoting both prospects from Single-A to High-A, according to Andrew Parker of Beyond the Monster.
Clarke was a fifth-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. The left-handed pitcher has a 0.93 ERA, .061 BAA, and 0.41 WHIP in 9 2/3 innings. He's struck out 17 batters compared to two walks.
Clarke features a fastball that sits in the high 90s and will hit 100 MPH. His sweeper has looked great, his slider has shown life, and his changeup has confused hitters.
Only getting 9 2/3 innings in Single-A should show you how impressed Boston is with Clarke and how highly they view his talents.
Arias is a top-100 prospect and is going to shoot up the ranks plenty throughout the season. The right-handed hitting shortstop is slashing .346/.407/.397 with four doubles. He's driven in nine runs, scored 15 more, and stolen four bases in 19 games.
Arias has made some phenomenal plays at shortstop and has been a consistent bat at the top of the order for Salem. He's collected at least one hit in 16 of the 19 games he's appeared in.
Greenville has Nazzan Zanetello and Marvin Alcantara as the two main middle infielders. Both have had good starts to the year (especially Alcantara, who is hitting .356).
However, it feels likely that the Drive will be making Arias their everyday shortstop immediately. He's not expected to hit anywhere outside of the leadoff spot (he's hit in the first spot of the lineup in every Single-A game he's started).
Arias will be just 19 all season, but clearly, age hasn't been a negative factor for him yet. Don't be surprised if Greenville isn't his final stop of the year.
The Red Sox are showing confidence in Brandon Clarke and Franklin Arias with promotions this early in the year. Both are well-deserved moves that should get fans even more excited for the future.