Ranking the top 30 prospects in the Boston Red Sox farm system
We're officially another season down, which means it's time for new Boston Red Sox prospect rankings.
We'll be looking at the top 30 prospects in the Red Sox system following the 2023 season.
Let's go over the rules. I do things a little differently than others. First, a player is ineligible as a prospect if they have appeared in the Major Leagues. That's not usually the case, but I like to do it that way because it gives me a chance to highlight more prospects that people might not be as familiar with.
You don't need me to tell you that Ceddanne Rafaela is a top prospect in baseball (although I have been doing that for the last few years).
Next, I need to watch them play. There are very few exceptions to this. Last year, Miguel Bleis debuted on the list despite never appearing above the FCL (Florida Complex League). Even though I hadn't seen a full game, there was enough hype and content on Bleis that it felt warranted.
This year, Yoeilin Cespedes deserves a major shoutout. He has just about the same levels of hype that Bleis had last year. However, he won't be on the list this year. I didn't get to see him play, and the Red Sox are a little more stacked in their farm system. It felt fine to do last year because Bleis was a consensus top-five prospect in the organization. Cespedes has much stiffer competition.
I'm also keeping Nazzan Zanetello off the list. He possesses elite athleticism and should be absurdly fun to watch. We only saw two at-bats in Single-A from him before he went down with an injury. He showcased his fantastic speed in that short time, but it's not enough for me to evaluate him.
We’ll be grading using the same system as the MLB. Each tool gets a grade between 20-80. Their overall grade might not always match the mean of their grades. That’s because potential and age (slightly) will factor in.
Meanwhile, some grades weigh heavier than others (I’m not going to grade an elite pitch that is thrown 60% of the time and count it the same as a secondary pitch that the pitcher barely even shows). The hit tool also factors in the ability to get on base.
That's about it, though. I only ask that you remember the fact that I am a very positive person. I'm all for pointing out faults, but I'm a little more excitable (as I've been called).
As with any evaluations, take these with a grain of salt. No one is spot on with all their takes, and you may feel differently about someone. So feel free to give your opinions, but let's be respectful.