3 Red Sox prospects who could take a leap in 2024
The Boston Red Sox have seen massive leaps from prospects in recent years. Brayan Bello, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Roman Anthony are shining examples of this. Who could take that step forward in 2024?
Boston Red Sox outfield prospect Allan Castro
Allan Castro emerged as a legitimate prospect in 2023.
The switch-hitting outfielder slashed .261/.368/.405 with 31 doubles, four triples, and seven home runs between Single-A and High-A. He drove in 46 runs, scored 62 more, and stole 19 bases in 112 games (417 at-bats).
Castro struck out 90 times (18.3%) and drew 68 walks (13.8%). Those are encouraging numbers. Even more so when considering he doesn't turn 21 until May 24 of next season.
Castro probably should have received more hype due to his performance last season, but he had a few things going against him.
First, he wasn't on many people's radars. Second, he spent his first 69 games in Single-A. Salem is notoriously not hitter-friendly. Third, Castro is playing at a premium position.
The Red Sox entered 2023 with Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu as top outfield prospects. Miguel Bleis was the talk of the system and ready to start the year in Single-A.
There's someone else, though. Who am I missing? Oh, yeah, Roman Anthony. Anthony took nearly all of the spotlight (deservedly so) due to a ridiculous breakout season. It was hard to talk about too much else going on in the Boston system when Anthony was putting up unreal numbers every night.
However, a lot has changed in a year. Castro has much more hype surrounding him. He's a prime breakout candidate. No longer worried about playing at Salem, Castro showed how talented he is offensively with Greenville.
His ability to limit strikeouts while working counts and drawing walks will get him on base a lot, but also lead to Castro seeing good pitches to hit. And as we saw last season, he can hit mistakes to different area codes.
Castro's a solid enough defender in the outfield. He likely won't be winning awards out there, but it's not going to hold him back. Meanwhile, he has the speed to swipe some bags, adding to his game.
We only saw seven home runs from Castro last season, but the power potential is real. It could be something that he leans into heavily this year with the more hitter-friendly park and the maturing of his body.
If Allan Castro is the big breakout star of the Boston Red Sox farm system, expect him to post a high OBP and drop 20-plus home runs.
Boston Red Sox starting pitching prospect Jedixson Paez
Jedixson Paez is one of the most intriguing prospects in the Boston Red Sox system.
The right-handed pitcher had his first taste of Single-A in 2023, and he crushed it. Paez posted a 3.31 ERA, .230 BAA, and 1.01 WHIP over 84 1/3 innings. He only struck out 73 batters but surrendered a ridiculously low 12 walks.
That type of control is great for a 10-year veteran, let alone a 19-year-old.
Paez was outshined this season by a few different pitchers. First, Luis Perales was in Single-A with him, devastating hitters. Then, it was Yordanny Monegro stealing the spotlight by humiliating his opponents.
By the way, Perales isn't on this list because he's too highly-touted already. And Monegro's not here because he felt too obvious of an answer. That makes me feel like Red Sox fans are already expecting him to take that next step. What's the fun of telling you all something you already knew?
Paez possesses a phenomenal combination of off-speed stuff. He has a changeup and a curveball that he can pinpoint. They both have good movement and can confuse hitters.
However, his issue is his fastball. Again, Paez tends to put the pitch where he wants it. Only throwing around 90 MPH is the problem here. It didn't cause him many issues in Single-A, but as he moves up the levels, will that start to get hit around?
There is a reason not to be too worried, though. We've seen Paez already add some speed to his fastball. He'll only be 20 next season. It's reasonable to believe he could add even more velocity. That is especially true, considering we saw Shane Drohan move his fastball up a few ticks last season.
If Jedixson Paez manages to boost his fastball, the sky is the limit. His advanced control already creates issues for opposing hitters. Add more velocity, and we could see Paez go from raw prospect to "can't miss arm" by the All-Star break.
Boston Red Sox utility prospect Kristian Campbell
Kristian Campbell is one of the newest members of the Boston Red Sox organization. The team selected the Georgia Tech product with the 132 pick of the 2023 MLB draft.
Campbell didn't waste time making waves. Kyle Teel took a lot of the spotlight thanks to his phenomenal play, but Campbell wasn't messing around either.
The right-handed hitting utility slashed .309/.440/.471 with four doubles, two triples, and a home run between Rookie Ball and High-A. He drove in five runs, scored nine more, and stole three bases in 22 games (68 at-bats).
Campbell also dominated in the High-A playoffs. He went 7-for-11 (.583/.643/.917) with a double and a home run. Campbell drove in six runs and scored three more.
That home run was a three-run shot in the bottom of the seventh inning of the game-clinching contest that blew the lead wide open. He also had at least one RBI in three of four postseason games.
Campbell was drafted as a shortstop out of College. But he has appeared at second base, left field, and right field in the minor leagues so far. That type of versatility will give any team he is on a lot of options. Meanwhile, his bat is going to keep Campbell in lineups.
Kristian Campbell has all five tools. And as a College player, it shouldn't be shocking if he ends up flying through the minor leagues. There are already some big names in the Boston Red Sox media world *cough* Coley Mick *cough* that are high on Campbell and pushing the narrative. You should expect that hype train to gain a lot of passengers in 2024.
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