Boston Red Sox top 30 prospect rankings after the 2024 season

It's the end of another season for the Boston Red Sox, which means it's time to evaluate the farm system and name the top 30 prospects in the organization.

Any player that has appeared in the Major Leagues is disqualified from this list. That means players like Luis Guerrero and Richard Fitts aren't featured.

Also disqualified from the list are players that haven't appeared in at least Single-A (Salem). Players from the draft who haven't appeared yet and players from the FCL/DSL are excluded because they've never played a professional game.

Outside of that, everything is fair game. The grading system is the same one that the MLB uses. Each tool gets a grade between 20-80 (in intervals of five). Their overall grade might not be a perfect average of all their tool grades. That's because factors like age and potential are involved.

At the same time, some tools weigh more heavily for specific players and different positions. A catcher having a 35-grade speed tool won't hurt his overall as much as having a 65-grade hit tool will help it. Meanwhile, a pitcher's fifth pitch won't mean as much as his first pitch.

Boston Red Sox top 30 prospect rankings after the 2024 season

No. 30: Catching prospect Brooks Brannon

Injuries have altered the beginning of Brooks Brannon's professional career. That has made it hard to figure out where to place him.

Brannon is a catcher who was already considered heavily offense-first. His injury history could have him moved to first base faster than expected. Brannon still has value due to his great bat, but it drops some if he's not behind the plate.

The right-handed hitter has plus-plus power potential. He slashed .251/.326/.396 with eight doubles, two triples, and six home runs in 54 games in Single-A this season. Thor posted 24 RBI, 22 runs, and five steals for Salem. Brannon has swing-and-miss potential (67 strikeouts in 230 plate appearances), but he makes hard contact often. It also needs to be stressed that Salem's ballpark is notoriously tough on hitters. That makes the power numbers even more impressive for Brannon.

The 20-year-old struggled with runners in scoring position (13-for-66, .176). However, he should get plenty of opportunities to improve on that number, as he was a middle-of-the-order bat the entire season.

The bat is legitimate. His power will play at every level. However, speed is not a part of his game. The defense needs work, but it's not impossible to imagine he can become a good defensive catcher if he gets enough time there. It helps that Brannon has a great arm.

Brannon looked fine at first base, but it's nothing spectacular. He's not terrible behind the plate, but again, it's not anything you'd get too excited about. There have been flashes of greatness thanks to his athleticism.

The power is the selling point here. As Brannon matures and moves away from Salem, expect to see him post some gaudy extra-base hit numbers. The question will be, what other tools come with it?

Brannon could climb the ranks if he improves on his hit or defense tools. Then, the only thing standing in his way will be a few catchers who will be named later.

Hit: 40

Power: 60

Run: 35

Arm: 60

Field: 40

Overall: 40

No. 29: Third base prospect Antonio Anderson

Antonio Anderson had a deceptively positive season. A look at his numbers would have fans thinking otherwise, but there are a few factors that we'll get into.

Anderson turned 19 on June 28, in the middle of the season. Even in Single-A, he was young for the level. If Short-A was still alive, that's where Anderson would've started the year.

The switch-hitting third baseman slashed .186/.311/.270 with 17 doubles, one triple, and five home runs. He recorded 34 RBI, 53 runs, and three steals.

Next is his plate discipline. "Double-A" drew 69 walks in 482 plate appearances (14.3% walk rate). Sometimes, it felt like he was digging himself into holes by being too patient, which is better than being a free-swinger.

Then, there was the miserable start to the season. Anderson was hitting .120 entering play on June 4. He hit a much more respectable .232 for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, 17 of his 23 extra-base hits came after that mark.

It also needs to be mentioned again that Salem is not a hitter's park. Anderson missed out on a few home runs due to the stadium's dimensions. Anderson's hit tool is better than the average indicates. He's young, and it's raw. But he still showed positives with the walks.

Meanwhile, his power flashed potential in 2024. That's one thing we should expect to see spike up in the future. He can hit hard from both sides of the plate.

Anderson also looked solid at third base. He has a great arm, and good footwork for the position (was drafted as a shortstop). Anderson should be an average-at-worst defender at third base.

He has solid speed, but nothing spectacular. It's good for the position and he possesses above-average athleticism. He could lose some of that if he fills out more as he matures (currently listed at 6'2" 205 lbs). Anderson made some base running mistakes in 2024, but that could be marked down to his age/experience.

Anderson didn't have the numbers anyone was hoping for in his first professional season. Looking beyond the stats, he has a bright future and is someone Red Sox fans should pay attention to as a potential breakout in 2025.

Hit: 40

Power: 50

Run: 40

Arm: 50

Field: 45

Overall: 40

No. 28: Pitching prospect Jojo Ingrassia

On May 15, Jojo Ingrassia made his first start of the season. It was his first professional start, and also his first since high school.

If you watched him pitch, you never would've known he was in uncharted territory. It didn't matter if it was the nine relief appearances or the 12 starts. Ingrassia was disgusting. The left-handed pitcher posted a 1.85 ERA, .179 BAA, and 0.99 WHIP in 21 appearances (12 starts). He struck out 93 batters compared to 20 walks in 58 1/3 innings.

Ingrassia only pitched five innings twice in 2024. However, the team likely didn't want to press him too much, considering he had been a reliever for the last few seasons.

Salem's pitching staff saw plenty of big pitching performances this year, but Ingrassia was consistently their most filthy. He has a three-pitch mix. His fastball sits in the low 90s. Despite not having fantastic velocity, it will miss bats. He uses good movement and fantastic control of the pitch to do so.

The lefty's slider works around 80 MPH. It has a strong break and can escape on lefties. Ingrassia feels he can use the pitch in any count. The splitter is Ingrassia's (and my) favorite pitch of his. It sits in the low-to-mid 80s and has a heavy late drop. The splitter is Ingrassia's (and my) favorite pitch of his. It sits in the low-to-mid 80s and has a heavy late drop.

It will also be interesting to see if Ingrassia adds some pitches now that he's working as a starter. However, it's not a must. He has three pitches that could be above average. There are plenty of starters that would commit crimes for three good pitches.

Jojo Ingrassia's first full season in the Boston system was a major success. Fans of the Red Sox will be seeing his name a lot in 2025.

Fastball: 40

Slider: 40

Splitter: 45

Control: 40

Overall: 40

No. 27: Red Sox pitching prospect Noah Dean

Noah Dean's 2023 season was impossible to figure out. There were flashes of brilliance, and it was clear he had great stuff. However, the command was an infuriatingly serious issue. He averaged 10.29 walks per nine innings. It's important to remember that Dean was converting to a starter after being a reliever in College.

Those issues cropped up at times in 2024 (especially at the end of the year when Dean was gassed). The left-handed pitcher significantly cut down on the walks, though. He dropped it down to 6.10 BB/9 this season.

Dean posted a 4.52 ERA, .152 BAA, and 1.19 WHIP in 22 appearances (15 starts) between Single-A and High-A. He struck out 116 batters compared to 54 walks in 79 2/3 innings pitched. The control is still a concern, but you can see how untouchable Dean is. His .152 opponent's batting average was only outshone by a ridiculous 13.10 K/9 rate.

The most ridiculous stat, though? Dean had three separate games where he tossed five no-hit innings. There was another game where he didn't allow a hit over 3 1/3 innings, one where he tossed 3 2/3 hitless innings, and one where he didn't allow a hit in four frames.

The lefty has a five-pitch mix. Dean's fastball works in the low-to-mid 90s and can get over 95 MPH. He said he feels comfortable in the zone and believes it works well up high. The pitch misses bats well.

Dean has a changeup in the low-to-mid 80s. He throws it against both righties and lefties. The pitch runs against lefties and forces righties to chase. It has shown the ability to disappear on hitters.

His slider works around the mid-80s. Dean loves to use the pitch against lefties and get them chasing as it runs away from them. It looks devastating at times.

He has a curveball in the mid-to-high-70s. It's Dean's slowest pitch and something he uses when the count is in his favor. Dean also has a slurve, which is his newest pitch. It sits in the mid-80s and has plenty of horizontal movement, which should work against lefties and righties.

Dean has the same situation with all his pitches. He can miss them every once in a while, but all can be devastating when he's found his grip.

Dean is among the more intriguing pitchers in the Boston system entering 2025. He has excellent stuff that helps him rack up strikeouts and severely limit hits. If he can take another step forward with his command, big things are on the horizon.

Fastball: 50

Changeup: 40

Slider: 45

Curveball: 40

Slurve: 45

Control: 35

Overall: 40

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

No. 24: Pitching prospect Blake Wehunt

Blake Wehunt pitched well enough to go from Single-A to High-A to Double-A all in one season. He was the 2023 ninth-round selection's first season in the minor leagues, and he immediately established himself as one of Boston's better starting pitching prospects.

Wehunt posted a 3.88 ERA, .207 BAA, and 1.11 WHIP across the three levels. The right-handed pitcher recorded 110 strikeouts compared to 34 walks in 97 1/3 innings. Wehunt had several of the more dominant outings in the Red Sox system this season. He recorded six separate outings of seven or more strikeouts, including a career-high 10 punchouts on May 11.

Wehunt is a mountain of a man, standing at 6'7". Unsurprisingly, this gives him a long stride off the mound. That extension adds to his pitching presence.

The righty has a fastball in the low-to-mid 90s (can get over 95) but looks faster due to his extension. It has plenty of movement and can get whiffs. Wehunt's slider works in the low-to-mid 80, but there are some inconsistencies. The pitch sometimes shows a sharper break. It can almost look like a curveball (sweeper) at times.

His splitter plays in the mid-80s with a nice sharp drop. However, this is another pitch with inconsistencies. A lack of control on the pitch has it staying flat sometimes, creating problems.

Wehunt had a phenomenal first season in the Boston system. The Red Sox need more starting pitching prospects higher up in the farm, and the righty made it to Double-A in one year.

The next step will see him finding more consistency with his secondary pitches. He's already done a great job limiting home runs (7) and racking up strikeouts.

The Red Sox being so aggressive with his promotions tells me they see something in the chicken farmer — really, he's also a chicken farmer.

Fastball: 50

Slider: 45

Splitter: 40

Control: 40

Overall: 40

No. 23: Pitching prospect Hayden Mullins

Hayden Mullins spent his first full season in the Red Sox system by dominating High-A hitters. The left-handed pitcher posted a 3.94 ERA, .223 BAA, and 1.29 WHIP in 22 appearances (17 starts). He struck out 118 batters compared to 42 walks in just 89 innings. Those strikeout numbers were the most for Greenville this season by a mile.

Mullins struck out at least seven batters on seven different occasions. That included a career-high 10 strikeouts during a June 13 start. It was an impressive season for anyone, let alone someone in their first year in professional baseball. And the Auburn product turned 24 on September 14. He still has plenty of time to continue to grow his game.

Mullins has a fastball that sits in the low 90s and can flirt with 95 MPH. His long stride off the mound helps the ball appear faster to the plate. The lefty has a slider in the low-to-mid 80s. It features a long break to it, and Mullins appears to have good command over the pitch. He can use it to freeze righties and get lefties chasing.

Mullins has an inconsistent changeup in the mid-80s. It looks like his fastball as it leaves his hand and has a late dip to it. However, some outings saw the changeup go flat. That led to some issues. If he can find consistency, this pitch will be much higher-graded.

Mullins has a deceptive delivery, which makes his pitch repertoire look even better. It's part of what helped him rack up so many strikeouts in 2024.

The fastball and slider combination will lead to more success down the road. If Mullins can find consistency with the changeup, things will get interesting. Throwing 89 innings in his first full season of professional baseball and still being effective at the end bodes well for his potential to grow as a starter.

Mullins had nine appearances with at least three walks, and four of those saw him walk over four batters. He needs to remedy some of his command issues for that starter potential to be allowed to shine.

Fastball: 45

Slider: 50

Changeup: 40

Control: 40

Overall: 40

No. 22: Corner infield prospect Blaze Jordan

Blaze Jordan had one of the more unlucky seasons in Boston's system. He started the year by getting robbed of a hit in what felt like every game first few weeks.

Then things clicked on April 19. Jordan went on a 17-game hitting streak, and it looked like he was back to mashing. Then he broke his finger sliding into home.

Jordan returned on June 12 and added two more games to his hitting streak, which ended at 19 games. He played well for a while but then went into a slump. That slump was being broken out of with an eight-game hitting streak in early August. That streak was broken when Jordan took a fastball to the face, benching him for nearly three more weeks.

The right-handed hitter slashed .261/.305/.388 with 22 doubles, one triple, and seven home runs. He recorded 61 RBI (team-high), 35 runs, and two steals. Jordan didn't show the power he's flashed in the past, but the season being halted multiple times might have something to do with that.

He also didn't walk much, just 18 times in 380 plate appearances (4.7% walk rate). However, he only struck out 46 times (12.1% strikeout rate). Jordan's ability to put the bat on the ball has been a pleasant surprise.

There isn't much going on in his run game, but Jordan's defense has been underrated throughout his career. He's solid at third base with a great arm. Meanwhile, his defense at first base is phenomenal. Jordan lost weight last offseason, and it helped to improve his defense and added some athleticism.

Jordan still doesn't have a clear path to the Majors with the Red Sox. A rocky 2024 didn't help much, but he's shown a fantastic work ethic and has the raw talent to bounce back in 2025.

Hit: 45

Power: 50

Run: 30

Field: 50

Arm: 50

Overall: 40

No. 21: Pitching prospect Juan Valera

Juan Valera entered the 2024 season off the top prospect radar. The right-handed pitcher was coming off a bad campaign in the DSL the year prior and would be starting the season in the FCL. But the 18-year-old flew through the FCL before getting seven starts (23 innings) in Single-A.

Valera posted a 1.99 ERA, .125 BAA, and 0.85 WHIP in 18 appearances (16 starts) between the FCL and Single-A. He struck out 68 batters compared to 28 walks in 63 1/3 innings. Valera only surrendered one home run. The 6'3" pitcher had eight different starts (all at least three innings) this season in which he didn't allow a single hit.

Valera has a mid-90s fastball that can top out in the high-90s. He needs to improve his command, but the pitch can miss bats in the zone. His changeup doesn't differ enough from his fastball at the moment. It sits in the high-80s to low-90s and doesn't have a ton of dip. The changeup could be a great addition to the repertoire if it improves. Valera's slider plays in the high 80s with a long break. The pitch is probably my favorite of his secondary options (even though I'm usually a changeup guy). It will generate a lot of bad swings, especially when his fastball is working. He also carries a sweeper in the low-to-mid 80s but doesn't use it much.

Valera has a lot to build on, but you can expect things to improve for the 18-year-old. He could gain more velocity on his fastball, improve his changeup and find more consistency with his other secondary pitches.

With just 23 innings in Single-A, it's hard to know what you have in a pitcher, but Valera is someone the Red Sox should be incredibly excited about.

Fastball: 50

Changeup: 35

Slider: 45

Sweeper: 40

Control: 40

Overall: 40

No. 20: Pitching prospect Connelly Early

It didn't matter if he was in High-A or Double-A, Connelly Early impressed wherever he went. The left-handed pitcher posted a 3.99 ERA, .214 BAA, and 1.19 WHIP in 23 starts between the two levels. He struck out 138 batters compared to 39 walks in 103 2/3 innings.

Early struck out nine batters on three separate occasions in 2024. That included his second-to-last start of the year when he didn't allow a run (or a walk) over six two-hit innings.

Early is a weapon because he has a legitimate chance to make it to the Majors as a starter, but he could be effective as a lefty out of the bullpen.

Early has a fastball in the low-90s with some movement. It can creep up above 95 MPH. Overall, he has a good command of the pitch. However, there were a few times in 2024 when he didn't seem to have it all game. He has a slider in the high 80s that doesn't have the most exaggerated cut. It's Early's fourth pitch. There isn't much to talk about here.

The lefty has an inconsistent curveball that plays around 80 MPH. At the best of times, it has a good break that gets hitters out in front. Other times, it doesn't do much and is extremely hittable.

Early's best pitch is his changeup. It looks like his fastball out of his hand, but sits in the low-80s with a significant late drop. He has a good command of the pitch and rarely has an off-day.

If Early can add some velocity or improve on one of his non-changeup offspeed pitches, there's a clear next step. The 2024 season was a great introduction.

Fastball: 45

Slider: 35

Curveball: 40

Changeup: 55

Control: 40

Overall: 40

No. 19: Outfield prospect Nelly Taylor

Nelly Taylor slashed .233/.337/.376 with 26 doubles, four triples, and eight home runs between Single-A and High-A. He recorded 54 RBI, 74 runs, and 33 steals.

Taylor spent most of the year in Single-A, where he put up respectable numbers. He ended the year getting 10 games in High-A. While there, the Polk State product went 11-for-38 (.289) with two doubles, one triple, and two home runs.

Taylor struck out 119 times and walked 63 times in 475 plate appearances. That's a strikeout rate of 25.1% and a walk rate of 13.3%. The walks are great, but he could benefit from cutting back on the Ks. He has plenty of time — 2024 was his first professional season. He has flashed some power potential, which took off after he left Salem.

Taylor is a plus runner, and steals will always be a part of his game. Meanwhile, he's elite defensively, in Ceddanne Rafaela territory. Diving plays and perfect reads were common. Thanks to Taylor's great instincts and fantastic speed, he covers more ground than most others and has a solid arm to keep runners honest. In a system that boasts the likes of Miguel Bleis, Jhostynxon Garcia, Roman Anthony, Phillip Sikes, Juan Chacon, and more in the outfield, Taylor is in his own category defensively.

Taylor has a wild story. He had a tumor removed when he was five or six to become cancer-free. It led to Taylor not playing team sports until he was older. Due to that, he hasn't had as much time in baseball as others. It also means that Taylor can't take supplements like creatine.

Despite those setbacks, Taylor has flourished. Salem manager Liam Carroll pointed to Taylor as a leader of the clubhouse. Multiple people within the organization have told me that Taylor is the guy. Many have a high view of him. Taylor deserves that praise.

Hit: 40

Power: 45

Run: 65

Arm: 40

Field: 70

Overall: 45

No. 18: Pitching prospect Wikelman Gonzalez

It was the tale of two halves for Wikelman Gonzalez. He struggled to start the campaign, but he's righted the ship after rough beginnings in the past. However, as the months changed, things weren't getting better. Even the biggest Gonzalez believers had to wonder what was going on.

Later, fans saw the best version of the Venezuelan talent. Gonzalez allowed just nine runs in 44 innings from July 4 to Sept. 10. He finished the year with a 4.73 ERA, .198 BAA, and 1.25 WHIP in 24 appearances (19 starts). The 22-year-old struck out 92 batters compared to 46 walks in 83 2/3 innings. Gonzalez has ace stuff, but command and inconsistencies have held him back.

The righty has a live mid-90s fastball that can reach the upper 90s. Gonzalez still suffers from the same issues he had last year. He tries to nibble sometimes, and his command of the pitch isn't good enough for that, leading to walks.

Gonzalez improved on his changeup this year. It still looks like his fastball out of his hand, but it works in the mid-to-high 80s. The speed difference and a significant drop lead to plenty of bad swings. Gonzalez throws it well against everyone. Sometimes doesn't have a feel for the pitch, which makes it a meatball.

Gonzalez has one of the best curveballs in the system, and it's neck-and-neck with someone who will be mentioned later. It works in the mid-to-high 70s and breaks heavily. The pitch gets a lot of whiffs and is already MLB-ready.

He also has a slider, but it's sort of just a bad version of his curveball. The pitch is mid-80s with a slightly different shape than the curve. It's not nearly as consistent, but it's flashed moments of being a useful pitch.

Gonzalez has the pitch mix to be special and plenty of time to grow. His 4.95 BB/9 wasn't great in 2024, but it was still better than his 5.66 BB/9 rate the year prior. Baby steps.

Changeup: 50

Curveball: 70

Slider: 40

Control: 40

Overall: 45

No. 17: Outfield prospect Allan Castro

Allan Castro enjoyed a breakout 2023 season. We saw many of the same positives in 2024, but we also saw some struggles.

The switch-hitting outfielder slashed .229/.343/.400 with 23 doubles, four triples, and 15 home runs between High-A and Double-A. He recorded 57 RBI, 80 runs, and 17 steals. Castro struck out 124 times in 530 plate appearances (23.4% strikeout rate) and walked 74 times (14% walk rate). He digs himself into holes sometimes, but the patience is great to see from a 21-year-old.

The biggest issue with Castro is a lack of consistency. From July 1 through August 7, he went 33-for-101 (.327) with seven doubles, two triples, and 10 home runs. Outside that stretch, Castro hit .201 with five home runs over 344 at-bats. A one-month stretch saved the season from disaster. That being said, Castro did get promoted to Double-A this year. He tends to have good plate appearances and is average, at worst, in most categories.

If he were in a less crowded farm system, Castro would definitely get more love as an intriguing raw prospect who has flashed enough talent to get to Double-A as a 21-year-old.

Castro's okay from both sides of the plate. He's shown more power from the left side (.409 slugging percentage) than the right side (.358 slugging percentage). However, neither side was miserable.

His hit tool gets a nice boost, thanks to his eye, and the raw power is intriguing. The home runs tend to look majestic. There are very few cheap shots.

Castro possesses decent speed, but at 6'1", 170 lbs, it's likely that he'll fill out his frame more. That should add power, but it risks losing some speed/athleticism. Castro should always be able to swipe a few bags, though.

He's a good enough defender, likely best suited for a corner outfield spot. A solid arm won't terrify anyone, but it's enough to keep runners honest.

Castro doesn't have a bad tool. Nothing is carrying him either, though. His raw power is the best chance at him finding one, but he might need to sacrifice some of his patience and get more aggressive at the plate for that to happen.

Hit: 50

Power: 50

Run: 45

Arm: 45

Field: 45

Overall: 45

No. 16: Pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz

Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz had a fantastic 2024 season. The right-handed pitcher saw an uptick in fastball velocity and responded with a big campaign.

ERC posted a 2.91 ERA, .198 BAA, and 1.20 WHIP in 21 appearances (20 starts) between Single-A and High-A. He struck out 102 batters compared to 43 walks in 89 2/3 innings. The 21-year-old had seven games with at least seven strikeouts but also clocked seven games with at least three walks. ERC lowered his BB/9 from 4.39 last year to 4.32 this year. He also saw his K/9 shoot up from 8.30 to 10.24.

Rodriguez-Cruz has a fastball that works in the mid-90s and can nearly reach 100 MPH. There's not much movement on the pitch, and he doesn't have great command of it. The added velocity certainly helps, though. His slider plays in the mid-to-high 80s with a sweeping (but not very exaggerated) break. At times, the break improves and becomes a great secondary pitch, but it's inconsistent.

Rodriguez-Cruz has a low-80s curveball with a great break to it. I think it's more consistent than the slider. However, the slide is better when ERC has it working properly.

Finally, ERC has a changeup that sits around 90 MPH. It plays better now that his fastball has more velocity. The pitch doesn't dip much, but it can be effective due to the difference in speed.

The recent uptick in velocity adds a lot of intrigue to Rodriguez-Cruz. However, he doesn't have any great pitches, and his control needs work. If he can improve his fastball movement and one of his offspeed pitches, his prospect status will skyrocket.

Fastball: 50

Slider: 45

Curveball: 40

Changeup: 35

Control: 45

Overall: 45

No. 15: Pitching prospect Hunter Dobbins

Hunter Dobbins is the workhorse of the minor league pitchers, and he deserves more respect. The right-handed pitcher was fantastic in 2023 and even better in 2024.

Dobbins posted a 3.08 ERA, .237 BAA, and 1.26 WHIP in 25 starts between Double-A and Triple-A. He struck out 120 batters compared to 48 walks in 125 2/3 innings.

Pidgeotto threw at least six innings in 10 different starts this year, with two of those going seven innings. He's consistently shown the ability to eat innings and give his team a chance to win when he leaves the game.

Dobbins made his way to Triple-A by the end of the year and immediately impressed there. Despite the Red Sox not being seen as a team with many pitching prospects, Dobbins doesn't seem to get any recognition. That's wild to think about, considering he rarely disappoints and has proven himself at the highest levels.

Dobbins has a fastball that works from 94-98 and can reach 99 MPH. The pitch has solid movement, and he has a good command of it. Dobby can get whiffs with it and has done a great job improving the velocity over the years.

His slider sits 87-91 MPH, which Dobbins described as having a short, traditional shape. It's a hard cut that misses bats. The pitch works well paired with his fastball.

Dobbins has a sweeper ranging from 78-82 MPH. It has a long break that can escape the strike zone and get hitters flailing. The pitch was new last year, and looked better as 2024 went on.

His curveball sits between 78-81 MPH. It's a classic 12-6 break and can be dropped in for a strike or used to bury into the dirt, attempting to get hitters to chase.

Dobbins has a new pitch in the splinker. It works between 88-93 MPH with sharp changeup movement. This pitch has plenty of potential as he gets more practice with it and improves.

Dobbins will be a Major League starter at some point in his career. He consistently works deep into games and his repertoire of pitches is constantly improving.

The 2024 offseason will be the first offseason with Dobbins not changing his arsenal. That should gives us the best version of Dobby in 2025. It's an exciting time for one of the more underappreciated pitching prospects in the system.

Fastball: 50

Slider: 50

Sweeper: 55

Curveball: 40

Splinker: 45

Control: 50

Overall: 45

No. 12: Pitching prospect David Sandlin

David Sandlin was the return in the trade that sent reliever John Schreiber to the Kansas City Royals. Sandlin immediately became one of the best pitching prospects in Boston's system upon arrival.

Sandlin has legitimate starter potential and a disgusting mix of pitches. Injuries interrupted his first season with the Red Sox, but we saw the positives.

The right-handed pitcher posted a 5.34 ERA, .269 BAA, and 1.38 WHIP between High-A and Double-A. He was bit by the home run bug in 2024, allowing 14 homers in 18 starts. Sandlin also struck out 82 batters compared to 18 walks in 57 1/3 innings, though.

The 23-year-old has a four-pitch mix, headlined by a fastball in the upper 90s that can hit 100 MPH. It's his best pitch and has a chance to be plus-plus. The fastball generates plenty of whiffs.

Sandlin has a slider that works in the high 80s. It features a sharp horizontal movement that can run away from hitters. The pitch will get opponents swinging at junk.

His splitter plays in the high-80s to low-90s. It has a devastating late drop when he's on his game. The splitter is probably the pitch with the biggest separation of outcomes. On any given outing, it could be Sandlin's best pitch or one he wants to stay away from. The splitter is also Sandlin's favorite pitch when it's working.

Finally, Sandlin has a sweeper at around 80 MPH. It's good as a fourth pitch that drastically changes in velocity compared to the rest of his repertoire.

The splitter and slider had new grips in 2024, and the sweeper was an entirely new pitch for Sandlin. Given another offseason with the tweaks, we could see an improved version of the righty in 2025.

Even with the home run struggles, we saw the highs of David Sandlin this season. He has multiple plus-potential pitches and elite strikeout ability. If he can stay healthy in 2025, we might see a bump in his ranking.

Fastball: 55

Slider: 55

Splitter: 55

Sweeper: 45

Control: 50

Overall: 50

No. 11: Outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia

Jhostynxon Garcia entered 2024 as an afterthought. He was just the older brother of the much more exciting prospect Johanfran Garcia.

Quick brag. I did have Jhostynxon as the number 30 prospect in the system last year.

Garcia was talented. Anyone who watched him in 2023 could tell you there was something there. However, would he be able to put something together?

Midway through the 2024 season, Ian Cundall and Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects went on the Section 10 podcast and mentioned how Garcia had impressed people in Spring Training. It was obvious that he worked hard in the offseason to improve.

The improvements shined through in multiple ways. First of all, Garcia was noticeably bulkier. Listed at 6'0", 163 lbs, it's clear that he weighs more than that now, and it's mainly muscle.

Garcia's work also came through on the field. The right-handed hitter slashed .286/.356/.536 with 24 doubles, five triples, and 23 home runs between Single-A, High-A, and Double-A. He recorded 66 RBI, 78 runs, and 17 steals.

Garcia didn't walk much (just 33 times in 459 plate appearances for a 7.2% walk rate), however, his strikeout numbers weren't bad (especially for someone with swing-and-miss concerns). Garcia struck out 99 times for a 21.6% rate.

He's shown the ability to keep up with Double-A pitching. Meanwhile, the pop in his bat is elite. Garcia's 23 home runs led the Red Sox minor leagues. He consistently punished baseballs and had some of the more impressive home runs of the year. Garcia's added bulk unlocked the power potential I saw last year. Plus-plus potential.

The 21-year-old isn't a burner. However, Garcia has enough speed and good athleticism. That allows him to steal bases. It's most important in the field, though. He is possibly the most underrated defensive outfielder in the system. Garcia makes a lot of great plays, and he makes them look smooth.

Mikey Romero also pointed to him as the best defensive outfielder he's ever played with on the Pesky Report MiLB Talk podcast during the season. Garcia has great defensive instincts and a fantastic arm.

Jhostynxon Garcia isn't in his younger brother's shadow anymore. The Password is a prospect that has captured the hearts and imagination of many Boston fans.

Hit: 40

Power: 60

Run: 40

Arm: 55

Field: 60

Overall: 50

No. 10: Infield prospect Chase Meidroth

Chase Meidroth is the winner of the criminally underrated prospect award for the third straight season.

The right-handed hitter spent the entire season in Triple-A. He slashed .293/.437/.400 with 20 doubles, three triples, and seven home runs. Meidroth posted 57 RBI, 87 runs, and 13 steals.

The wildest stat comes when looking at his walks and strikeouts. In 558 plate appearances, Meidroth only struck out 71 times for a 12.7% K rate. Meanwhile, he drew 105 walks for an 18.8% BB rate. Those are elite numbers.

Meidroth has one of the best hit tools in the minor leagues. He rarely chases and almost always makes contact when he swings at pitches in the zone. He will hit for a high average and get on base at a phenomenal clip in the Majors.

Meidroth isn't fast, but his speed won't hurt you. He's smart on the basepaths and can swipe some bags.

I love Meidroth's defense. He plays an average-to-above-average second base, third base, and shortstop. The arm is good enough for all three spots (but not great, so second base works best).

Somehow, Meidroth isn't considered a great prospect. There are two reasons for that. First, the 23-year-old is listed at 5'10", 170 lbs. Second, he has very little pop in his swing.

Seven home runs in a full season when you play your home games at a hitter's park isn't going to get people out of their seats. I don't care, though. Not everyone needs to hit 30 home runs. Meidroth is the guy that gets on base for the power hitters.

He's also the guy you want up with runners in scoring position because you know he will put the bat on the ball. Meidroth hit .292 with runners in scoring position and was 4-for-10 (.400) with the bases loaded. There are other ways of driving in runs than just hitting the ball far.

Chase Meidroth will have seasons where he hits over .300. He'll have league-leading OBPs and score 100 runs.

His speed isn't great, and his lack of power hurts him, but Meidroth will be a Major League talent for a long time. The Red Sox don't have a spot for him at the moment, but he's earned one.

Hit: 70

Power: 35

Run: 45

Arm: 45

Field: 55

Overall: 50

No. 9: Pitching prospect Yordanny Monegro

Yordanny Monegro is the best healthy pitching prospect in the system. If you told me I had to guess which healthy pitcher in the organization would be an ace in the future, Monegro would be the one I hang my hat on.

A combination of pitch mix, confidence, and swagger creates something special when he's on the mound.

Monegro missed the start of the 2024 season due to injury and struggled when he first returned. You could see the confidence returning, and it culminated with a 45-inning streak where Monegro didn't allow an earned run.

The right-handed pitcher finished with a 2.73 ERA, .176 BAA, and 1.03 WHIP in 15 appearances (14 starts) in High-A. He struck out 82 batters compared to 26 walks in 66 innings.

After last season, I likened Monegro to Pikachu. His electricity made him a fan favorite. The Aura God kept that tradition going with some top-tier celebrations. We even got the #YordannyCellyWatch to go big time.

Monegro didn't reach Double-A this season, but there could be a few reasons for that. The injury at the start of the year certainly didn't help. By the end of the season, it felt more like a way to protect him from the Rule 5 draft than anything else. Teams are much less likely to select someone who hasn't even appeared in Double-A yet.

Monegro has four pitches. First is a fastball that sits in the mid-90s. It doesn't have a ton of movement on it, but he throws it with confidence, and it's worked so far. The fastball plays well off his secondary pitches.

He has an okay changeup that plays around 90 MPH with a decent late dip. It's inconsistent, but it got better as the year went on.

The slider is fantastic, working in the mid-80s. Sometimes, it feels like Monegro has better command of this pitch than his fastball. He can drop it in the zone but isn't afraid to throw it away and get hitters chasing.

Monegro didn't use it to the extent he did in 2023, but the curveball is still my favorite of his pitches. It sits in the high-70s with a heavy break. It has claimed a lot of victims over the last two seasons.

There's a lot to Yordanny Monegro's delivery, which you could argue doesn't bode well for him in the future. It adds to the presentation, though. Everything about him is loud. He's not a slam dunk by any stretch of the imagination, but if you told me Mongero became the Red Sox ace in four years, I also wouldn't be shocked.

Fastball: 50

Changeup: 35

Slider: 55

Curveball: 70

Control: 45

Overall: 50

No. 8: Shortstop prospect Mikey Romero

Mikey Romero was in serious danger of falling off the prospect cliff this season, which sounds ridiculous to say about a 20-year-old former first-round pick.

However, the Red Sox were absurdly stacked. They had prospects flying up the rankings. Meanwhile, Romero was injured. He played in 19 games in 2022 (10 in the FCL and nine in Single-A). In 2023, he appeared in 34 games (eight in the FCL, 23 in Single-A, three in High-A). The numbers weren't great, either. Romero slashed .214/.294/.286 between the three levels that year.

That's okay, though. The 2024 season would be the year Romero figured it all out, right? Well, an injury took a bit longer to get him back to 100%, and he didn't make his season debut in High-A until May 15.

At this point, we were already witnessing the trio of Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Kyle Teel terrorize Double-A pitching. Matthew Lugo was on a resurgent campaign. Chase Meidroth was cooking in Triple-A. Vaughn Grissom was working his way back. Of course, Kristian Campbell was making a name for himself in Greenville.

There were so many people occupying spots that Mikey Romero needed. Then something happened, though. Romero was healthy. He was healthy for the first time in what felt like forever. And as many (myself included) had been stressing, Romero is great. That's not a question. He just needed to get healthy.

The left-handed hitting shortstop tore up High-A pitching in July (and most of August). He was promoted to Double-A for the final three weeks and became a moonshot menace.

Romero slashed .271/.312/.509 with 24 doubles, four triples, and 16 home runs between the FCL, High-A, and Double-A. He recorded 53 RBI, 54 runs, and one steal.

Romero didn't walk much (18 times in 362 PA for a 5% walk rate), and his strikeout rate of 23.2% (84 strikeouts) wasn't great. However, the majority of those strikeouts came before he turned things around after his promotion to Double-A.

It's not surprising that Romero struggled a bit to make contact in Double-A. He didn't even have 500 ABs in the minor leagues before making it to the level. His aggressive swing decisions led to strikeouts, but they also helped Romero enjoy a breakout campaign.

Romero might have the sweetest swing in the Boston system. He should hit for a solid average, and he's shown the ability to go the opposite way.

The power is intriguing. Romero's swing leads to him generating decent pop. The ball flies off his bat quite often. He's listed at 5'11", 175 lbs. and mentioned on the Pesky Report MiLB Talk podcast that he wants to focus on gaining muscle this offseason.

Adding mass and muscle could lead to Romero's sneaky power becoming a legitimate 25-plus homer presence.

Speed is not part of his game. Romero has five career steals in 131 minor league games. He has enough to pile up extra-base hits, though. He'll likely swipe a few more bags in the future.

Romero's a decent defender with a decent arm. He isn't going to win awards at shortstop, but he's not going to cost the team with his defense. The California kid gives steady defense (something the Red Sox would've loved in 2024). He's looked good at second base in his limited opportunities. The arm plays better there, as well.

Mikey Romero played himself back into potential future plans for the Red Sox this season. The 2024 season was a massive step in the right direction, and he could be trending towards taking another leap in 2025.

Hit: 50

Power: 55

Run: 45

Arm: 45

Field: 50

Overall: 50

No. 7: Outfield prospect Miguel Bleis

Miguel Bleis might have the largest range of outcomes of any prospect in the Boston system. No prospect is a guarantee. Anyone can flame out spectacularly, and anyone can become the next GOAT. However, there are reasonable ideas of what a prospect can be.

Miguel Bleis has every single physical tool you would want from a prospect. Everything has the potential to be plus-plus. Seriously, he's that naturally gifted.

There are plenty of questions, though. Injuries have been a thorn in his side. In the past, Bleis has also had issues with his strikeout and walk rates.

In 2024, Bleis slashed .220/.303/.354 with 16 doubles, one triple, and 11 home runs. The right-handed hitter recorded 47 RBI, 56 runs, and 38 steals between Single-A and High-A.

Bleis drew 39 walks in 429 plate appearances (9.1% BB rate) and 92 strikeouts (21.4% K rate). Neither of those numbers is spectacular, but they are both improvements from the year prior. Most importantly, he didn't completely fall off a cliff after being promoted to High-A.

That being said, Bleis did see significant declines in his slash line in Greenville as compared to Salem. There was some bad luck involved. Bleis does make a lot of hard contact, however, he also has a legitimate pop-up problem. The good news is that pop-ups feel like a tweakable adjustment can be made.

Bleis has some work to do, but he's only 20. There's plenty of time to figure some things out. The improvements in his walk and strikeout rates were a big positive. This might never be his best tool, but he could become a consistent .260+ hitter.

Bleis has legitimate raw power. We see it on occasion with the home runs. Even when he's not hitting it out of the park, there's enough hard contact to feel confident in his ability to boost those numbers as he gets older.

Not only does he have great speed, but Bleis is twitchy. He gets a good jump and has good instincts in the field and on the base paths. Everything about his running game is a plus. We saw fewer mistakes on the bases, and some super aggressive (but usually smart) plays as well.

I love watching Bleis in the outfield. In the Red Sox minor leagues, it might just be Nelly Taylor above him. Bleis gets great jumps off the bat. He reads the ball well, has good instincts, his elite speed helps him cover ground, and he's athletic enough to make phenomenal plays. To top it off, he has a great arm that will play at any position in Fenway Park.

The Red Sox need to be patient with Miguel Bleis. He has 126 games in affiliate baseball under his belt and he'll only be 21 for the entirety of the 2025 season. The tools all have the potential to be great, he's an elite physical prospect. Listed at 6'0", 170 lbs, he could fill out and become an absolute terror to baseballs.

But he's raw. It might be difficult for some fans because he's been getting hyped up since 2022, but Bleis isn't close to a finished product yet. Give him time. Let him become great.

Hit: 45

Power: 55

Run: 65

Arm: 55

Field: 65

Overall: 55

No. 6: Shortstop prospect Franklin Arias

Franklin Arias didn't come out of nowhere in 2024, but he definitely came from the shadows. There were quite a few names ahead of him that had Arias on the back burner. He leapfrogged most of them with ease.

The right-handed hitter started the year in the FCL. He slashed .355/.471/.584 with 16 doubles, two triples, and six home runs in 51 games. Arias recorded 28 RBI, 41 runs, and 30 steals at the level. Seriously.

That ridiculous performance led to a promotion to Single-A. There, Arias made an impressive affiliate debut. He slashed .257/.331/.378 with nine doubles and three home runs. Arias recorded 26 RBI, scored 18 runs, and stole five bases.

It's important to stress that Salem is a torture dome for hitters. Putting up those numbers in Single-A is impressive. I've said it before. Look at Roman Anthony's Single-A numbers. Then, look what he did immediately after being promoted.

Another important factor is age. The 18-year-old was 2.5 years younger than the average age of players in the league. Arias only had four plate appearances in Single-A against pitchers younger than him.

The Red Sox also have an obviously high view of Arias. He spent a heavy majority of his time in the field at shortstop (437 1/3 innings compared to 158 2/3 innings at second base). Meanwhile, he was exclusively hitting out of the leadoff spot.

Arias finished the year slashing .309/.409/.487 with 25 doubles, two triples, and nine home runs between the FCL and Single-A. He recorded 54 RBI, 59 runs, and 35 steals in 87 games. He drew 50 walks in 372 plate appearances (13.4% BB rate) and struck out 65 times (17.5% K rate). Both are fantastic numbers, especially for someone his age.

Arias can hit for contact and draw walks. He can hit the ball to all fields and gets pretty consistent hard contact. He should always be able to hit for average.

His power isn't elite, but there's certainly pop. Listed at 5'11", 170 lbs, he could add some mass and muscle. That would add to his decent raw power. Right now, he projects as a 20-ish homer bat. That could be improved if he adds muscle.

Arias has good speed and is great on the base paths. He shows good instincts and aggressiveness. Then again, he might lose some speed if he bulks up. He was the Red Sox minor league baserunner of the year. Steals should be a semi-decent part of his game.

Arias impressed me a lot in the field. Shortstop is a difficult position, one that leads to a lot of errors. That's especially true for young prospects in the minor leagues. It doesn't help that the first baseman won't bail them out as much as Major Leaguer will.

Arias looks like a natural at shortstop, though. He makes the routine plays, and he limits errors. Meanwhile, he made highlight-reel plays commonplace at the position. Arias has good range, nice footwork, and a good glove. He has a plus arm to round everything out nicely.

Franklin Arias is young, raw, and far down in the minor leagues. However, his 2024 season put him on the map as a legitimate shortstop of the future option. The Red Sox have a lot of talented middle infield prospects.

Arias is nearly unmatched in the superstar potential department, though.

Hit: 55

Power: 50

Run: 55

Arm: 60

Field: 65

Overall: 55

No. 5: Pitching prospect Luis Perales

Luis Perales suffered an injury that required Tommy John surgery at the end of June/beginning of July. That injury robbed us of what was looking like a phenomenal season.

The right-handed pitcher carved up High-A for his first seven starts of the season before being promoted to Double-A. He made an incredible first impression there, and then the injury happened.

Perales posted a 2.94 ERA, .250 BAA, and 1.31 WHIP in nine starts between High-A and Double-A. He struck out 56 batters compared to just 12 walks in 33 2/3 innings. Perales dominated in his first Double-A start, but the injury interrupted his second start.

There's a strong chance the 21-year-old doesn't pitch in 2025, which is a gut punch. Even with that delay, Perales is the "ace" of the minor league system. If anyone is going to be the No. 1 in a Major League rotation, this is the guy.

Perales saw his game take another step forward in 2024. He has a live fastball in the mid-90s that can sit in the high-90s often and regularly flirts with 100 MPH. He still doesn't have the best command, but he saw major improvements this season. The pitch leads to plenty of whiffs up in the zone.

Perales also has a slurve that causes havoc for hitters. It works in the low-to-mid-80s with a sweeping break that snaps on the hitter. Perales has good control of the pitch. It tends to leave batters looking foolish.

Finally, he has a changeup. It plays in the mid-80s and features a late dip. The pitch is definitely his most inconsistent, but looks devastating when he has it working properly. If it takes another step forward, Perales will be absolutely terrifying.

Likely not getting to see Luis Perales again until 2026 feels like it should be illegal. Don't forget how good he is, though. Getting to witness him handle Double-A hitting so well (albeit in a short span) has to have people within the organization excited.

Fastball: 70

Slurve: 60

Changeup: 45

Control: 45

Overall: 55

No. 4: Catching prospect Kyle Teel

Kyle Teel being the fourth-best prospect in your farm system is stupid. There are a lot of organizations that would do unspeakable things to have Teel as their No. 1 prospect.

Teel plays a premium position (catcher) and does very well. He's improved in every facet of the game since arriving in the organization. Meanwhile, he's one of the more consistent bats in any lineup he's featured in.

The left-handed hitter slashed .288/.386/.433 with 23 doubles and 13 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A in 2024. He recorded 78 RBI, 88 runs, and 12 steals, walked 68 times in 505 plate appearances (13.5% BB rate), and struck out 116 times (23% K rate).

Teel wasn't always the flashiest hitter. Each week, it felt like there was a new star. Every week, we would talk about player X hitting .500 with five home runs or player Y going 10-for-16 with 11 RBI. There were a few instances where that player was Teel, but rarely. He would be overshadowed by a more eye-popping week. However, he was always in the mix.

We'd talk about those big weeks, and then Teel would be mentioned for hitting .300 with five walks and four RBI. You don't get much streakiness from the New Jersey native.

Teel did slump when he was first promoted to Triple-A. The adjustment didn't take long, though. He managed to claw his number to impressive stats before the end of the year.

Teel is an advanced hitter. He doesn't always get the best contact, but he will connect at a decent rate. His patience allows him to draw out long at-bats. Meanwhile, Teel will take what the pitcher gives him.

Teel has solid power for a catcher. He likely won't break any records, but he can add 10-15 homers annually with a few 20-plus seasons mixed in.

He has average speed, but it's above-average speed for the catcher position. Teel's athletic and can steal some bases.

He's a good defender, and he notably improved throughout the season. Teel's athleticism helps him block pitches and make nice plays around the plate. Meanwhile, he has a fantastic arm. He could improve on his framing, though.

Kyle Teel is everything you want from a catcher. He's a good defender who won't be a black hole at the plate. He'll get on base and should add some pop. Teel is constantly improving, and the pitching staff seems to love him. He's a leader.

Hit: 60

Run:45

Arm: 60

Field: 55

Overall: 55

No. 3: Shortstop prospect Marcelo Mayer

Marcelo Mayer is a top-10 prospect in baseball. Somehow, he's only the third-best prospect in the Red Sox farm system. That's so ridiculous it almost doesn't make sense.

I don't feel great putting Mayer in this spot though. He's everything you want a prospect to be. The 21-year-old has exceeded at every level. He's matured and improved his game over the years. His attitude and work ethic are fantastic. Every time I've had the opportunity to talk to Mayer, I come away impressed.

The left-handed hitting shortstop slashed .307/.370/.480 with 28 doubles and eight home runs in Double-A in 2024. He recorded 38 RBI, 60 runs, and 13 steals in 77 games.

Mayer drew 30 walks in 335 plate appearances (9% BB rate) and struck out 66 times (19.7% K rate). Neither are great, but they aren't miserable, and they are numbers Mayer improved upon as the year went on. In June (Mayer's last full month), the California native walked more times (14) than he struck out (12).

Mayer was promoted to Triple-A with Kyle Teel and Roman Anthony on August 12. However, Mayer was shut down soon after without even appearing in a game for Worcester.

The shutdown led to more cries from fans that Mayer is injury-prone. I have a counter-point. Marcelo Mayer is one of the best prospects in the world. The Red Sox would fire whoever decided to play him while his body wasn't 100% ready to go.

Mayer attempted to play through an injury last season. It tanked his numbers, worsened the injury, and caused him to have a fractured offseason. That was a lesson for Mayer to tell the coaches when something was bothering him. With that knowledge, the coaching staff isn't going to push him. As a top prospect, he gets put in bubble wrap.

This is a young, uber-talented baseball player. One that you hope is a cornerstone of your franchise for the next 15 years. Getting him injured in a minor league game because he tries to play through pain seems irresponsible at best.

Mayer needs to continue to improve his walk and strikeout rates. However, he makes plenty of hard contact, can go the other way, and hits a lot of doubles.

He's listed at 6'3", 188 lbs, and there is room for bulking. As his body matures, some of those doubles will turn into home runs. The raw power is there, and the swing is pretty. Be patient. Mayer could be a 25-ish home run bat.

Mayer has okay speed, but he's a good base runner. He gets good reads and jumps on the basepaths, leading to solid steal totals. There's enough speed for him to pile up the extra-base hits.

There was some worry about Mayer sticking at shortstop due to his frame. However, I've loved what I've seen from him at the position. He has good range, footwork, and a soft glove. Mayer tends to get a good read off the bat and can make highlight plays. Having a great arm helps.

Mayer will succeed in the Majors. His one negative might be that he doesn't seem to have a carrying tool. There's nothing in his game that screams elite. However, every aspect of his game is above average.

There are Red Sox fans worried about his injuries or his laid-back attitude (he's calm and has fun, but he takes the game and his work seriously, don't worry). All I have to say to that is "relax." Marcelo Mayer is a 21-year-old who has worked up to Triple-A thanks to natural talent, hard work, and fantastic production. He's on his way to being the franchise shortstop people were hoping for when he was drafted.

Hit: 55

Power: 55

Run: 45

Arm: 60

Overall: 60

No. 2: Second base prospect Kristian Campbell

Kristian Campbell entered 2024 as a prospect to watch in High-A for Red Sox fans. He left 2024 in Triple-A as potential a top-five prospect in the world with many more eyes on him.

The right-handed hitter demolished High-A pitching before humiliating Double-A pitching before laughing off Triple-A pitching. It was impressive to watch. Campbell slashed .330/.439/.558 with 32 doubles, three triples, and 20 home runs between the three levels. He recorded 77 RBI, 94 runs, and 24 steals. The 22-year-old walked 74 times in 517 plate appearances (14.3% BB rate) and struck out 103 times (19.9% strikeout rate).

The fans' concerns over his swing vanished into the night like a baseball that Campbell pieced 500-MPH over the wall.

Campbell appeared in games at second base, third base, shortstop, and centerfield in 2024. I would say it helped keep him in the lineup daily, but any team he's on is fitting him into their plans no matter what.

The Georgia Tech product stole the show in 2024. He was named the minor league hitting prospect and breakout player of the year. That's in all of baseball, by the way, not just the Boston organization.

Campbell drew plenty of walks, and strikeouts weren't a major issue. He lays off tough pitches, and he has elite bat speed. In any given plate appearance, you could see Campbell work a 12-pitch walk, hit the first pitch he sees 110 MPH for a home run, or drop one into the opposite field.

Last year, I said there was a little pop in his bat that he could unlock, but nothing crazy. Luckily, I wasn't the only one who said this, so I didn't look too dumb. Campbell made adjustments, and that power potential went through the roof. He could be a 25-30 home run bat. Listed at 6'3", 191 lbs, Campbell has pipes on him. If he adds more bulk, it could be scary.

There's plenty of speed in his game because, apparently, Superman has no flaws. It helps him cover plenty of ground in centerfield and show off range in the middle infield. The only thing holding him back from 30-plus steals might be that he gets too many extra-base hits.

Campbell has shown that he can play multiple positions well. I think second base is his best position. He has great range, he looks comfortable there, and his slightly above-average arm plays best there.

However, Campbell could move around defensively, and I don't think he'd have any issues. He is a gifted athlete with natural talent, so constant position-switching won't hinder him much.

Kristian Campbell became one of the best prospects in baseball in 2024. It's terrifying to imagine what he'll do in 2025. I can confidently say I won't be talking about him on my top 30 list next year, though. He'll be in the Majors.

Hit: 65

Power: 65

Run: 60

Arm: 50

Field: 60

Overall: 65

No. 1: Outfield prospect Roman Anthony

Roman Anthony is our Tribal Chief. That isn't just a joke anymore because he shares the same first name as Roman Reigns. Anthony is the best prospect in baseball. What he did in 2024 as a 20-year-old is borderline illegal.

The left-handed hitting outfielder began the year in Double-A. He slashed .269/.367/.489 with 20 doubles, three triples, and 15 home runs at the level. Anthony recorded 45 RBI, 60 runs, and 16 steals in 84 games. Those numbers are phenomenal for anyone. When you factor in the fact that most players his age are in High-A or even Single-A, it gets scary.

Not only were the numbers good, but Anthony was possibly the most impressive bat in a lineup that featured Mayer and Teel. His average wasn't on par with those two, but he was consistently having the best plate appearances. Anthony drew tough walks, hit the ball ridiculously hard, and never went down easy.

The Florida native was promoted to Triple-A in August with Mayer and Teel. It was there that he went scorched earth. Anthony slashed .344/.463/.519 with 12 doubles, one triple, and three home runs. He recorded 20 RBI, 33 runs, and five steals in 35 games. Anthony drew long walks, hit the ball ridiculously hard, and never went down easy. He drew 79 walks in 540 plate appearances (14.6% walk rate) and struck out 127 times (23.5% K rate). He drew 79 walks in 540 plate appearances (14.6% walk rate) and struck out 127 times (23.5% K rate).

The Tribal Chief only grounded into two double plays.

Anthony has shown the ability to go the other way in the past. He makes pitchers work. There's plenty of pop, but Anthony isn't afraid to be patient and take what the pitcher gives him. He should hit for a good average and put up gaudy OBP numbers.

Anthony has phenomenal power. He had a few of the hardest-hit balls in the entire Red Sox system (including the Majors) this year. He has 30-plus home run potential. Listed at 6'2", 200 lbs, Anthony is an imposing figure in the box. That fits his power perfectly.

Anthony is a good runner. He has above-average speed and base running abilities. Seasons with 20-plus steals are on the table. It's a testament to how good he is in every other category that some don't even realize he can run.

Defensively, Anthony has looked great in centerfield. He can stick at the position, but he might not have the option due to Boston's current situation (Ceddane Rafaela and Jarren Duran both play the position).

Anthony is athletic and makes good reads. He has plus arm strength that would be great in center (or right) at Fenway Park.

Anthony is a model prospect. His absurd rise has spoiled Red Sox fans (Kristian Campbell didn't help that either). They now seem to think it's normal for prospects to make it to Triple-A and dominate at a young age. No, Anthony's just a freak of nature.

His physical makeup is great, and he always impresses me character-wise. When I talked to him after the season, Anthony mentioned having a lot to work on this offseason. Despite being the top prospect in baseball, he's still hungry.

Anthony also mentioned barely missing out on a 20/20 season. Despite being close for a few weeks and wanting it, you never saw Anthony press. He was still drawing walks and helping the team win games. Not chasing a personal milestone despite knowing about it shows a lot of maturity.

Physical tools are most important, but character is big. You want someone who can lead your franchise on and off the field. Anthony can be that for the Red Sox for the next two decades.

Hit: 60

Power: 70

Run: 50

Arm: 60

Field: 60

Overall: 70