No. 26: Shortstop prospect Nazzan Zanetello
Nazzan Zanetello debuted last season after being the second-round selection in the 2023 MLB draft. However, the excitement didn't last long. He suffered an injury after just two at-bats in Single-A that ended his season in August.
Zanetello then missed the first three weeks of the Single-A season for Salem this year, further delaying the excitement.
Things started hot for the right-handed hitter in his short 2023 campaign. He was 7-for-17 (.412) with a double, two home runs (one inside-the-park), and a steal in his first five games of the season. Then, another injury took him out of action for nearly three weeks.
When he returned this year, Zanetello struggled. The strikeout numbers shot through the roof, and his numbers plummeted. Zanetello had 24 at-bats in September, 18 of those ended with a strikeout.
It was very clear that something was wrong with Zanetello. Either he was playing injured, or the injury caused him to change something in his swing/approach. Zanetello slashed .156/.279/.279 with 11 doubles, two triples, and seven home runs in 78 games. He posted 21 RBI, 38 runs, and four steals. In 345 plate appearances, he struck out 151 times (43.8% strikeout rate).
It's worrisome, but not a death sentence for his career. Zanetello is a 19-year-old with insane athleticism. He was drafted as a raw talent, head and shoulders above most other prospects in the athlete department. Zanetello struggling to adjust in his first season in the minor leagues wasn't shocking. The strikeout rate is unsustainable if he wants to move up in the minor leagues. However, he's flashed some power and could add more as he matures.
Zanetello is an elite athlete who has plus speed and plays a strong shortstop. He looked good in a small sample size at second base, as well. It was also said that Zanetello would play center field, but he didn't in 2024. His arm plays well at shortstop and would work in the outfield.
Zanetello is raw. It's hard to evaluate him when you know how much things will change in the future. His bad luck with injuries hasn't helped his development. The tools are all there. Zanetello needs to unlock them.
Hit: 35
Power: 40
Run: 60
Arm: 50
Field: 50
Overall: 40
No. 25: Outfield prospect Natanael Yuten
Natanael Yuten was one of the most entertaining players in the Boston system this season. Unluckily for fans, he's not one of the top prospects for the Red Sox and spent all year in Single-A. That means the coverage on him was extremely low.
The left-handed hitting outfielder slashed .243/.304/.380 with 20 doubles, seven triples (team-high), and six home runs. He recorded 50 RBI (team-high), 39 runs, and 12 steals. Again, it's important to note that it's not easy to hit in Salem. Despite that, Yuten put up impressive numbers as a 19-year-old.
Yuten was constantly coming up in clutch situations. He also went 18-for-40 (.450) with a double, a triple, a home run, and seven walks in the ninth inning. Meanwhile, he went 4-for-10 (.400) with a triple and two home runs in extra innings. Yuten drove in 15 runs in those two situations.
Yuten has some issues with his hit tool. There is swing-and-miss potential, and he doesn't always barrel the ball. However, we saw extended runs of greatness from him in 2024. Improvements are needed, but he can do so.
He doesn't walk a ton (30 walks in 418 PA = 7.2% walk rate), and the strikeout rate isn't great (105 Ks in 418 PA = 25.1% strikeout rate) but he made marked improvements after the first two months.
Yuten has clear power potential. We saw him make a good amount of hard contact in 2024. With his frame, you expect him to fill out and add plenty of muscle. That should help him tap into that power potential. It also won't hurt when he leaves Salem.
The speed is average, and he did win Red Sox baserunner of the month at one point, but his speed may drop a bit as he puts on weight and muscle. He has a decent arm that should improve.
Defensively, his instincts will improve as he gets more time in the outfield. He played strictly corner outfield in 2024 and shows potential to be above-average defensively but needs some work still.
Yuten is a raw prospect in nearly every category, but he is also primed for a breakout as early as 2025 (don't panic if it doesn't happen next season). Red Sox fans should get in line now. It should be a fun ride.
Hit: 40
Power: 50
Run: 40
Arm: 45
Field: 40
Overall: 40