Boston Red Sox prospect watch: The 2023 MiLB season has begun

It's Monday, and you know what that means! Oh boy, that felt good. The Boston Red Sox prospect watch is back, and I get to say those beautiful words again.

Minor league baseball is back, with the 2024 season in full swing. Portland hasn't had the best luck when it's come to weather (two games legitimately got snowed out), but we've gotten to see everyone playing again, so who cares?

After a hot start to the season, the Red Sox have gone cold. It's led to fans worrying about another long and difficult-to-watch campaign. Luckily, minor league baseball always brings some positives.

The MLB roster is pretty stacked with young talent, which should make this fun. Usually, there are one or two players to talk about who are close to prospect status. This year, thanks to a combination of strategy and injuries, Boston could boast a few of the organization's top prospects throughout the season.

Ceddanne Rafaela got a contract, which is incredible. Fenway Park is getting more Ceddanne Chipper Nicasio Marte Rafaela highlights in center field (and who knows where else). Rafaela's slashing .170/.226/.277 with one double and two triples, but the right-handed hitting centerfielder has driven in six runs, scored six more, and stolen one base. He can get going in bursts, so don't worry.

Wilyer Abreu's bat got hot in a hurry. The outfielder looked lost for the first few games, but has found a rhythm recently. Abreu is slashing .231/.310/.308 with two doubles. The left-handed hitting outfielder has driven in two runs, scored four more, and stolen one base.

David Hamilton has been getting a lot of hate from fans for his defense at shortstop, but he's looked better in the last two games. The left-handed hitter is 4-for-21 with a home run. He's driven in one run, scored three more, and stolen two bases.

Enmanuel Valdez is also not known for his defense but can be downright terrifying with the bat. Right now, the bat is cold. Luckily, it doesn't take much to get him going. The left-handed hitting second baseman is slashing .128/.182/.231 with one double and one home run. He's driven in six runs and scored six more.

Justin Slaten might be disgusting. The Rule 5 Draft selection already looks like the best pitcher in the Boston bullpen, and it might not be particularly close (especially with Chris Martin's recent struggles). Slaten has a 0.87 ERA, .094 BAA, and 0.39 WHIP in six appearances. The right-handed reliever has eight strikeouts compared to one walk in 10 1/3 innings. He's already picked up three holds and one save.

Red Sox Triple-A (Worcester)

Nathan Hickey doesn't care what level he's at. No matter what, he's going to mash. The left-handed hitting catcher is slashing .262/.354/.500 with one double and three home runs. He's driven in six runs and scored six more. Hickey's started four games as a catcher.

Chase Meidroth is just 5-for-30 to start his Triple-A career. However, he's unsurprisingly kept the OBP high thanks to 11 walks (compared to just five strikeouts). So, despite a .167 batting average, Meidorth holds a .395 OBP. He's driven in three runs, scored four more, and stolen three bases.

Niko Kavadas is slashing .231/.444/.500 with one double and two home runs. The left-handed hitting first baseman has driven in five runs and scored seven more. Kavadas is struggling against lefties (1-for-10) but crushing righties (5-for-16).

Nick Sogard is slashing .200/.286/.309 with three doubles and one home run. The switch-hitting utilityman has driven in 10 runs and scored seven more. Sogard's ability to play all over the field keeps him in the lineup, and that slash line will bump up soon enough.

Tyler McDonough was promoted to Triple-A due to injuries forcing Boston to bring up multiple players from Worcester. McDonough went 2-for-4 with two RBI in his first game at the level this year (he spent a little time there last year as well). The switch-hitting utilityman could earn a long-term spot at the level if he keeps it up.

Richard Fitts made his first two starts in the Red Sox system (and in Triple-A) this week. The right-handed starter has allowed three earned runs on 12 hits over 9 1/3 innings. He's struck out eight batters compared to two walks.

Grant Gambrell has already made three starts this season. The righty has allowed eight runs on 16 hits in 14 innings. He's struck out 15 batters compared to six walks. Gambrell has had a mixed bag of results this season, but his 2023 season gives reason to be excited.

Luis Guerrero has allowed two runs on one hit in four appearances out of the bullpen this season. The right-handed reliever has struck out five batters compared to two walks in 4 2/3 innings. Control was an issue for Guerrero at times last season, but he has yet to walk multiple people in a single outing this year.

Jorge Benitez is already looking like a fantastic addition to the organization. The lefty reliever has allowed one run on two hits over four appearances. In eight innings of work, he's struck out nine batters compared to four walks.

Red Sox Double-A (Portland)

Marcelo Mayer saw his 2023 season end prematurely due to injury. He came out swinging in 2024, though. The left-handed hitting shortstop is slashing .357/.387/.500 with a double and a home run. He's driven in five runs, scored seven more, and stolen two bases. Oh, and Mayer's started the year on a seven-game hitting streak.

Roman Anthony picked up right where he left off last year, terrorizing Double-A pitching. I'm pretty sure he broke the Reading press box at one point. On Saturday he hit a home run in both games of a doubleheader. The left-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .333/.385/.708 with three doubles and two home runs. He's driven in four runs, scored six more, and stolen two bases.

Kyle Teel once again already looks bored in Double-A. We saw it last year in High-A, then with Portland for the last two weeks. It looks like that wasn't a fluke. The left-handed hitting catcher is slashing .300/.391/.500 with one double and one home run. He's driven in five runs and scored three more.

Eddinson Paulino joined Anthony in the fun and hit a home run in both games of Saturday's doubleheader. Paulino's added some muscle and it looks like it's benefitting him. The left-handed hitting utility player is slashing .292/.346/.708 with one double and three home runs. He's driven in eight runs, scored four more, and stolen one base.

Nick Yorke is getting some time in the outfield as the Red Sox are trying to add some versatility to his game. It hasn't slowed down Yorke's bat. The right-handed hitting second baseman/left fielder is slashing .269/.296/.462 with two doubles and one home run. He's driven in five runs, scored four more, and stolen one base.

Blaze Jordan is having a competition with Cutter Coffey to see which Boston prospect can have worse luck at the plate. The right-handed hitting corner infielder is 1-for-18 with two RBI and one run scored. He's making contact, though, only striking out one time. Jordan will be fine, he just needs to stop getting robbed.

Nick Decker has struggled at points in his career, but he had some big moments last season. Now, the outfielder is starting 2024 with a bang. The left-handed hitter is 2-for-5 with a walk and a home run. He's driven in three runs, scored one more, and stolen one base.

Max Ferguson is slashing .250/.348/.400 with a home run. The left-handed hitting utility has driven in two runs, scored six more, and stolen five bases (in five attempts).

Matthew Lugo had a scary incident during Friday's game. A collision in the outfield kept him down for a few minutes. However, he walked it off and played two games later. The right-handed hitting utility is 3-for-12 with two home runs. He's driven in two runs and scored two more.

Angel Bastardo was the Opening Day starter for Portland. That should give you an idea of how the organization views him. The right-handed pitcher has made two starts already. Bastardo has allowed four runs on three hits over 9 2/3 innings. He's struck out six batters but walked seven.

Not the most ideal start to the season for Wikelman Gonzalez. The righty allowed three runs over two innings of work in his first start. Gonzalez allowed two hits and walked five batters, while only striking out one. He started 2023 about as rough as possible, though, so there's no reason to be worried.

Zach Penrod made his Double-A debut this week, and it's still hard to imagine that this guy was playing in independent ball last year. The left-handed pitcher surrendered just two hits over five shutout innings. He walked none and struck out eight. Penrod could find himself in Triple-A quickly if this keeps up.

Hunter Dobbins was unusually wild in his first start of the season. The right-handed pitcher allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits over four innings. He struck out one batter compared to five walks. Even with the issues, Dobbins kept his team in the game, and Portland came out with the win. He'll bounce back.

Isaac Coffey allowed four runs (three earned) over 4 2/3 innings. It's not spectacular, but there are a few positives. The right-handed pitcher continued not walking many (one walk compared to six strikeouts). He also didn't give up a home run. After allowing 22 long balls last season, this is a good sign.

Christopher Troye made two appearances out of the bullpen this week. The flamethrowing righty had one "eh" outing and one phenomenal outing. Overall, Troye allowed one run on one hit over three innings. He struck out five batters compared to two walks. CT is nasty and could have a short stay in Portland this year.

Felix Cepeda became must-watch for me last season, and I love that he's getting rewarded for his play. After starting 2023 in Single-A, he's up in Double-A to start 2024. The right-handed reliever has allowed one run over 1 2/3 innings in two appearances out of the bullpen. He's struck out two batters without walking anyone. Cepeda already has a hold and a save.

Ryan Zeferjahn is looking like a nasty early in 2024. The righty reliever has yet to allow a run on just two hits over his first two appearances. He's struck out five batters compared to no walks in four innings and has even picked up a save.

Red Sox Single-A (Salem)

Salem's going to be the Garcia brothers' show for a bit (until one or both are promoted to High-A). Just enjoy the show for now, though.

Johanfran Garcia is the younger brother and the more hyped-up prospect. The right-handed hitting catcher is slashing .346/.433/.654 with two doubles and two home runs. He's driven in four runs and scored five more.

Jhostynxon Garcia is the older brother and is clearly out to prove he's not about to be overshadowed. The right-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .333/.394/.633 with three doubles and two home runs. He's driven in seven runs, scored nine more, and stolen six bases (in six attempts).

Miguel Bleis is healthy, and wow, it's fun. The right-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .200/.368/.300 with one double and one triple. He's driven in five runs, scored five more, and stolen six bases. In 142 plate appearances last season, Bleis drew 10 walks. He's already taken seven free passes in 38 plate appearances this year.

Andy Lugo has quickly become one of my favorite prospects to watch. The right-handed hitting utility is slashing .333/.417/.429 with two doubles. He's driven in one run, scored five more, and stolen four bases. Lugo's already appeared in games at second and third base this season, and he's played in the outfield in the past.

Natanael Yuten took a few games to get his first hit, but he got going in a hurry. The left-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .258/.343/.419 with one triple and one home run. He's driven in four runs and scored three more.

Nelly Taylor is slashing .233/.333/.267 with one double. The left-handed hitting outfielder has driven in four runs, scored four more, and stolen three bases. Taylor was an 11th-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.

Stanley Tucker is slashing .240/.321/.360 with one double and one triple. The right-handed hitting utility has driven in two runs, scored one more, and stolen two bases. Tucker was a 19th-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.

Big Al is here to hit home runs and own a toy barn to save you a buck buck buck (if you don't get the Toy Story 2 reference you're invited to leave). Albert Feliz is just 4-for-32 to start the season but already has one mammoth home run. Expect to see some fireworks from him, even in Salem's pitcher-friendly ballpark. We also saw a shutout inning on the mound from Feliz (who has now pitched one time in each of the last four seasons).

Noah Dean flashed brilliance at times last season, but overall his command let him down. That's why his first start of 2024 was so important. How would he set the tone? Four shutout innings sound? Not only were they scoreless, but Dean didn't allow a hit and only walked two batters. Meanwhile, he struck out six.

Jedixson Paez allowed two runs (one earned on eight hits over four innings in his lone start this season. The right-handed pitcher struck out five batters and (in typical Jedi fashion) didn't walk anyone. Paez has a chance to be one of the biggest risers in the system this season, especially if he can add some velocity.

Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz struggled in his first start of the season but was back to form in start number two. After allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks (four strikeouts), ERC tossed four shutout innings a few days later. The right-handed pitcher surrendered two hits and one walk while striking out seven. He spent all of 2023 in Single-A, and a semi-early promotion wouldn't be surprising.

Austin Ehrlicher was an 18th-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft but didn't make his Single-A debut until this season. The right-handed pitcher has appeared in two games this season, posting a 0.00 ERA, .208 BAA, and 1.00 WHIP. He's struck out 10 batters compared to just one walk in six innings.

Isaac Stebens has yet to allow an earned run over his first three appearances. The righty has a 0.00 ERA, .120 BAA, and 0.86 WHIP in seven innings. He's struck out nine batters compared to three walks. Stebens also has two saves.

Max Carlson had a rough first appearance of the season but was dominant in his second. The right-handed reliever struck out eight batters (only one walk) over 3 1/3 hitless innings. He has a 4.76 ERA, .217 BAA, and 1.41 WHIP in 5 2/3 innings. Carlson struck out 10 batters compared to three walks.

Nathanael Cruz has allowed just one earned run on five hits over three appearances out of the bullpen. The righty has struck out seven batters compared to one walk in five innings.

Jojo Ingrassia has a 0.00 ERA, .182 BAA, and 0.67 WHIP in two appearances this season. The left-handed reliever has struck out six batters compared to zero walks (and just two hits) in three innings of work.

Trennor O'Donnell only pitched once this week, but he made it count. The 6'7" righty tossed two perfect innings, striking out three batters. He only needed 18 pitches to get the job done.