The Boston Red Sox have had a first base problem for years now. Triston Casas was supposed to be the answer, but injuries have seriously derailed his career, and at this point, it feels like a fool’s errand to build a team with Casas penciled in at the position.
When Casas went down last year, we saw the Red Sox organization scramble. Players who had never played the position were suddenly asked to start learning (such as Kristian Campbell). They clearly realized how barren the position was throughout the system. Antonio Anderson, drafted as a shortstop and immediately moved to third base, began taking reps at first base all the way down in Single-A.
The team's only legitimate first baseman prospect was Blaze Jordan, who split time between third and first base. The Red Sox (devastatingly) moved Jordan at the 2025 trade deadline for Steven Matz. Not to rub salt in the wound, but the right-handed hitter is currently slashing .307/.371/.575 with 10 doubles and eight home runs in Triple-A for the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Red Sox brought in Willson Contreras this offseason, but still don’t have a contingency plan behind him. His injury on May 10 once again brings into question what the long-term plan is for Boston at first base.
Emerging Red Sox first base prospect Brooks Brannon wins Eastern League Player of the Week
When the Red Sox drafted Brooks Brannon in the ninth round back in 2022, he was a high school catcher they signed for well over slot value. The reason for the hype was all thanks to his bat. There was potential defensively thanks to his athleticism, but for the time being, he was a power-first prospect.
This season got off to a late start for Brannon due to injury. However, he’s now appeared in 12 games for Portland. Two as the designated hitter and the other 10 at first base. He’s yet to catch a single inning. He’s looking comfortable at first base. The athleticism is working over there with good footwork and some impressive stretches. Meanwhile, the bat looks better than ever.
Brannon took home the Eastern League Player of the Week award for May 4-10. He went 9-for-15 with two doubles, one triple, three home runs, and 11 RBI.
On the season, the right-handed hitter is slashing .359/.469/.897 with four doubles, one triple, and five home runs. He’s driven in 16 runs, scored seven, and stolen one base.
It’s a small sample size, only 12 games (49 plate appearances), but it’s hard not to take notice. Brannon is 22 and in Double-A. That’s about the exact time you’d expect to see a breakout from a prospect.
Again, the sample size is small, but we’re seeing a much lower strikeout rate and a much higher walk rate than in previous years. In 2026, Brannon is striking out 24.5% of the time and walking 18.4% of the time. Those numbers were 30% and 10.5% in 2024 and 30.5% and 7% in 2025.
Injuries slowed the start of his career, but Brannon appeared in a career-high 93 games last season between High-A and Double-A. We also saw Brannon set a new career-high with 153 1/3 innings at first base.
It’s easy to look back on the 2022 draft and remember the hype that surrounded Brooks Brannon and his offensive potential. Looking good at a new position, still in bonkers shape, and hitting nukes, maybe the future first baseman of the Red Sox is mashing in Portland right now.
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