Fans of the Boston Red Sox have been spoiled in recent years when it comes to breakout seasons in the minor league system. We’ve seen Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, Payton Tolle, Jhostynxon Garcia, and more.
It’s unfair to expect jumps like that from players every year. Most teams would be thrilled to have a breakout even half as good from a prospect in any given season.
With that in mind, Sox fans should temper their expectations when it comes to breakouts. We won’t always see prospects have those types of step-up seasons. However, we can still expect significant progress from prospects in 2026. Let’s try to predict which pitcher will take the big step at each level.
One breakout pitcher at each minor league level for the Boston Red Sox
Triple-A (Worcester Red Sox): Jeremy Wu-Yelland (LHP)
Jeremy Wu-Yelland finished last season in Double-A, and it was a pleasant surprise when he wasn’t selected in the Rule 5 Draft this offseason. The left-handed pitcher posted a 3.18 ERA, .193 BAA, and 1.00 WHIP in 18 appearances with Portland after being promoted. He struck out 51 batters compared to 11 walks in 34 innings.
Wu-Yelland has a flair for the dramatic, a power fastball, and some intriguing breaking pitches. Even if he starts the year in Double-A, it won’t be long until he’s shipped up to Worcester. In Triple-A, he could go on a run and become a legitimate lefty bullpen option for Boston before the end of the year.
Double-A (Portland Sea Dogs): Noah Dean (LHP)
Noah Dean has been an absolute rollercoaster to watch. He’s had some command issues, which have led to him looking untouchable one game and struggling to get through an inning the next time out.
Dean converted to a reliever midway through the year, then had a strong final month of the season. The left-handed pitcher has a nasty repertoire, but the inconsistencies were crushing him.
Moving to the bullpen full-time should help Dean reel in some of his control problems, while ramping up the intensity of his pitches. 2026 could be the year he emerges as a serious left-handed option out of the bullpen.
Dean was promoted to Double-A right at the end of the 2025 season. He appeared in one game and tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter.
High-A (Greenville Drive): Brandon Neely (RHP)
You’re excused if you forgot about Brandon Neely. The Red Sox have added so many exciting arms to their farm system over the last few seasons that it’s hard to keep track of them all. Meanwhile, Neely (a 2024 third-round pick) has yet to pitch due to injury.
The Red Sox have traded away quite a few of those exciting arms in their system (Brandon Clarke, Yhoiker Fajardo, Luis Perales, etc.) this offseason. While that’s certainly a blow, they’re adding plenty of arms from the last draft, as well as Neely, who continues to be overlooked.
A good fastball and slider should help the right-handed pitcher become a problem in the lower levels of the minors, which he could fly through en route to a breakout season.
Single-A (Salem RidgeYaks): Dalvinson Reyes (RHP)
Dalvinson Reyes had just about as much helium as any pitcher in Boston’s farm system at this time last year. The right-handed pitcher struggled mightily in the Florida Complex League (FCL) last season and has subsequently fallen off the hype train.
Reyes just turned 19 in November. He’s listed at 6’5”, 200 lbs. His fastball can creep into the high-90s, and he features multiple good off-speed pitches.
There’s plenty of projection there. Reyes is a big dude who could still grow. His fastball has already seen jumps in velocity, and there could be more there. Even his off-speed pitches are improving. The poor 2025 season shouldn’t be a reason to give up. Expect to see Reyes in Single-A at some point in 2026, and that’s where things could really start to click for him.
At this point last year, Reyes was one of the most hyped pitchers in Boston’s system. The talk isn’t surrounding him anymore, but let’s circle back in a year again.