Boston Red Sox top 30 prospect rankings after 2023 season

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.

No. 30: Red Sox outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia

Jhostynxon Garcia gets overshadowed by his younger brother (Johanfran, who you will see much later in this list). However, the elder Garcia brings a lot to the table, too.

He's more than a tough name to pronounce (Yos-TIN-son). Garcia slashed .230/.329/.374 with 14 doubles, six triples, and four home runs in Single-A. The right-handed hitter drove in 24 runs, scored 46 more, and stole nine bases in 73 games (265 at-bats).

He was slashing .173/.284/.204 heading into July 14. However, Garcia managed to go 44-for-167 (.263) with 11 doubles, six triples, and four home runs the rest of the way.

So, while the overall numbers don't jump out to you, it's important to remember two things.

First of all, Salem's ballpark does no favors for hitters. We saw players like Roman Anthony and Allan Castro have pedestrian slash lines before going to High-A and dominating.

Garcia is a decent hitter with a good approach at the plate. He had some fantastic at-bats near the top of the order, especially late in the season. A solid OBP will make up for the potential Ks.

Meanwhile, there's plenty of power in his bat. Six home runs may not highlight that fact, but remember, he's playing in Salem for the most part (Anthony had one home run in 158 ABs with Salem). Expect the (will be) 21-year-old to add more power as he matures and as he gets out of Salem.

Defensively, Garcia is a really solid outfielder. He made several great plays covering both centerfield and right field. His arm is slightly above average and will keep runners honest.

Garcia isn't a burner, but he has solid speed. There's enough there for him to cover decent ground in the outfield and swipe a few bags.

Don't let his younger brother steal the entire spotlight. The Boston Red Sox have an exciting prospect in Jhostynxon Garcia as well.

Hit: 45

Power: 55

Run: 45

Arm: 45

Field: 50

Overall: 45

No. 29: Red Sox starting pitching prospect Grant Gambrell

Grant Gambrell was part of the deal that brought Josh Winckowski and Worcester legend Franchy Cordero to the Boston Red Sox.

Gambrell had a rough journey in the Boston organization before 2023. Following the trade in 2021, the right-handed pitcher posted a 7.16 ERA in eight starts in High-A before missing the rest of the season due to injury.

Then he missed all of 2022 thanks to five surgeries that were done to remove a tumor (benign) from his heel.

With all that missed time, Gambrell was in a weird spot. If he never pitched again after all of that, I don't think anyone would've blamed him.

Instead, he was a 25-year-old in High-A. And through his first four starts, he wasn't producing (6.87 ERA).

Then came back-to-back strong outings, which were followed up by a promotion to Double-A. At the time, I said it felt like a sink-or-swim situation. Gambrell was older for High-A, and the Red Sox wanted to test him.

Gambrell did more than just swim. He went full Michael Phelps.

The Oregon State product posted a 3.42 ERA, .227 BAA, and 1.22 WHIP in 84 1/3 innings in Double-A. His season didn't end there, though.

Gambrell worked his way up to Triple-A before the end of the season. He allowed two runs on seven hits in 10 2/3 innings over two starts.

Overall, Gambrell put together a phenomenal season and went from High-A to Triple-A in a matter of months.

Gambrell has a cutter that works in the low 90s with good movement on it. He was pretty consistent with it, and honestly, the pitch seemed to improve as the year went on. The fact he just started working on it in Spring Training is exciting.

He has a changeup that stays in the mid-80s. The pitch has a good drop to it and is deceptive out of the hand. Like most parts of his game, it got better as the season crept along.

His slider sits in the high 70s/low 80s. It's shown a sharp break at times. I'm 99% sure he also has a curveball/sweeper because the movement has more vertical mixed in with the horizontal at times.

I'll never pretend to know more than I do, though. I only got to see him live one time, and I was in the press box (not always the best view for scouting pitchers).

Gambrell showcased some workhorse tendencies in 2023. He racked up 134 strikeouts compared to 46 walks in 126 1/3 innings. It was nearly a guarantee that he would give whatever team he was on at least five innings. Going six-plus was a regular thing for him, and he even managed eight innings one time (wild for a Double-A pitcher).

Grant Gambrell went from a forgotten piece of a trade to one of the best pitchers in the Boston minor leagues last season. The Red Sox may have found a legitimate rotation arm.

Fastball: 45

Changeup: 45

Slider: 55

Control: 45

Overall: 45

No. 28: Red Sox catching prospect Brooks Brannon

Brooks Brannon has a similar prospect makeup to someone we'll see later on in this list, Nathan Hickey.

Brannon is an offensive-minded catcher who many people have questions about whether or not he can stick at the position.

The right-handed hitter slashed .264/.303/.583 with three doubles, one triple, and six home runs between the FCL and Single-A. He drove in 23 runs and scored 12 more in 17 games (72 at-bats).

Brannon's a very raw prospect, and at only 19, it's clear that he'll grow as a player.

However, that "raw" label works both for and against him. Being so raw, we don't know what he'll be. Can that offensive potential shine through? Or will the power never be fully realized?

On the other end is the defense, though. Brannon's young enough that being labeled a bad defensive catcher isn't a death sentence. He has more than enough time to work on his craft behind the plate. Could it become a solid part of his game and make him a well-rounded prospect?

Listed at 5'11", 210 lbs, Brannon is an absolute unit behind the plate. He's an imposing figure with the bat who should regularly launch baseballs.

I didn't get to see much of him, but what he showed in Single-A was not a lot of walks and a decent amount of strikeouts. However, we also saw a lot of hard-hit balls and great run production.

Brannon has plus-plus raw power potential. He's going to hit the ball hard and should be able to put up good averages. If he can work on his plate discipline, the OBP will be great.

Defensively, he's got some work to do. However, Brannon possesses a strong arm. That's a good start for a catcher trying to stick at the position.

As for speed, well, he's a power-hitting catcher built like an Escalade. Speed isn't exactly what he's here for.

Brooks Brannon is in a perfect spot with the Boston Red Sox. With Kyle Teel in the system, there's no stress on Brannon. He can grow at his own pace. The bat should be elite. That will carry him as his defense improves. He's raw right now, though.

Hit: 45

Power: 60

Run: 35

Arm: 55

Field: 40

Overall: 45

No. 27: Red Sox starting pitching prospect Bryan Mata

Bryan Mata was once one of the most electric pitching prospects in baseball. Then came a series of unfortunate events for El Idolo.

The 2020 MiLB season was canceled due to the pandemic. Then Mata suffered an injury, which led to Tommy John surgery, and the pitcher missed the entire 2021 season.

Mata returned in 2022 and had a strong campaign, reminding everyone how talented he is.

However, 2023 was ... rough. Mata posted a 6.33 ERA, .274 BAA, and 2.19 WHIP in Triple-A. He struck out 28 batters compared to 30 walks in 27 innings.

Control has always been an issue for Mata, but this season was a step further into the fire. His stuff is phenomenal, and he only surrendered one home run this year. But it's going to be tough to succeed if the control isn't improved.

Mata has a live fastball with plenty of movement that works in the high 90s and has hit 100 plenty of times. It has elite potential, but again, the command comes into play.

He has a high 80s slider with a hard vertical break. Mata loses the pitch sometimes. Not only does it get wild, but it might even sit flat. It's his most inconsistent pitch.

A curveball in the high 70s is next. It has a sweeping break, and while it's not 100% consistent, Mata has a better feel for it than the slider. We didn't see it much this season, but when he's on, Mata can dot the curveball on corners.

Finally, there's a changeup that has elite potential right up there with the fastball. It looks eerily similar to Mata's fastball coming out of his hand but is significantly slower (mid-80s) with a nasty drop to it.

Mata has two elite potential pitches and two more plus potential pitches. It's all there if he can get the control and consistency figured out.

Fastball: 65

Slider: 50

Curveball: 50

Changeup: 65

Control: 35

Overall: 45

No. 26: Red Sox infield prospect Cutter Coffey

Cutter Coffey had a confusing 2023. The infielder spent most of his season in Single-A but did get a taste of High-A to end the year.

The right-handed hitter slashed .210/.325/.315 with 16 doubles, two triples, and six home runs between the two levels. He drove in 35 runs, scored 59 more, and stole 19 bases in 99 games (362 at-bats).

Coffey drew walks (56) but struck out 100 times and struggled to get into an extended groove.

The now-19-year-old hit exactly .200 in both April and May. He had much better months in June (.247) and July (.264) before slumping to end the year.

Coffey has much more impressive at-bats than the numbers let on. He works a lot of counts and fights off tough pitches. With that in mind, he should be a solid OBP guy. There's raw power in his bat that shines through on occasion. He hit a few baseballs extremely far in 2023. Getting away from Salem for all of next year should help (as will his body maturing more).

Coffey's not a burner, but he's got decent speed that should translate to some solid steal numbers.

Defensively, I was impressed with Coffey this season. He played shortstop, as well as second and third base. Coffey showed off solid range and was constantly making impressive plays in the field. It looks like he'll be fine in any of the three positions.

That being said, his strong arm lends itself best to a spot on the left side of the diamond. I wouldn't be surprised to see Coffey get a lot of playing time at third base next season.

Cutter Coffey is still a raw prospect who spent the entire 2023 season as an 18/19-year-old playing most of his games in Salem's hitter-unfriendly park.

It's tough to grade players based on production with that in mind. But his solid defense, good arm, and ability to draw walks are extremely promising. If he can tap into the power potential, Coffey could be in store for a big 2024.

That power could be the grade that takes the biggest jump when we return here next season.

Hit: 50

Power: 45

Run: 45

Arm: 60

Field: 50

Overall: 50

No. 25: Red Sox relief pitching prospect Christopher Troye

Christopher Troye is becoming a well-loved prospect on Red Sox Twitter thanks to his personality and willingness to interact with fans and be open about his journey.

However, Troye's not just a personality. He's also a dominant right-handed arm out of the bullpen.

The 2021 12th-round pick put up monster numbers in High-A and Double-A this season. He posted a 3.10 ERA, .169 BAA, and 1.34 WHIP between the two levels. Troye struck out 87 batters compared to 36 walks in 49 1/3 innings.

Outside of a rough start to his Double-A journey (six earned runs in 2 1/3 innings), Troye rarely looked anything less than elite on the mound in 2023.

He took a walk on the wild side (as shown by his 36 free passes) at times, but even that was an issue that only cropped up at times.

Troye has an electric fastball that works in the mid-90s and flirts with 100. The pitch has great movement, and he's not afraid to attack hitters with it. Troye said he feels he can throw it anywhere, anytime, and still get whiffs.

He threw a cutter accidentally in Spring Training, and it became part of his mix. It works in the 90s with sharp movement. Troye says he uses it for both weak contact and swing-and-miss. Right now, this is the weakest of the three pitches. But the fact that he's only been throwing it for a season makes it feel like a potential plus pitch.

Then there's a slider that sits in the high 80s. He drops it in for strikes early in counts but also buries it away to create more swings-and-misses. This pitch baffled hitters at times.

Most importantly, CT says he has the confidence to throw all three at any time. He's shown he can get strikeouts with anything at this point.

Christopher Troye doesn't get the respect he deserves as a prospect because he's a non-closing reliever in the minor leagues. Few pitchers in Boston's organization looked as consistently filthy as him in 2023, though. Red Sox fans should love the idea of having him in the bullpen for the foreseeable future.

Fastball: 60

Cutter: 45

Slider: 55

Control: 45

Overall: 50

No. 23: Red Sox middle infield prospect Marvin Alcantara

Marvin Alcantara entered the FCL with plenty of hype in 2023 and managed to make his way to Single-A before the end of the season.

The right-handed hitting shortstop slashed .228/.324/.290 with eight doubles and two home runs between the two levels. He drove in 28 runs, scored 35 more, and stole 12 bases in 61 games (224 at-bats).

Alcantara appeared at both second base and shortstop with Salem this season. He looked smooth playing both positions. Alcantara has a quick glove, good footwork, great range, and a solid arm.

The 18-year-old is listed at 5'10", 157 lbs. With that frame, it shouldn't be shocking that he isn't a massive power hitter. There might be a decent pop in his bat for his size, though.

For the most part, expect Alcantara to showcase great speed, a good contact bat, and good defense. If he hits some home runs, that just adds to his value.

We're likely still quite a few years away from Marvin Alcantara being ready for the Major Leagues. With that in mind, this is a very tough ranking. He has the potential to fill out and become an all-around star (even if he never adds too much power). It also doesn't help that I didn't get to see a ton of him in 2023.

However, he's still a raw prospect, and who knows what we're saying about him in a year. I wouldn't be shocked if Alcantara is one of the most exciting prospects in 2024. However, if he finds himself near this same tier next year, don't consider that a failure. He'll still be a 19-year-old with raw potential in a lot of areas. Immediate gratification is nice, but it's not necessary with these young prospects.

Hit: 50

Power: 40

Run: 60

Arm: 50

Field: 60

Overall: 50

No. 22: Red Sox starting pitching prospect Shane Drohan

Shane Drohan was the talk of the Boston Red Sox system for the first two months of the 2023 season. An untouchable six outings in Double-A led to a fast promotion to Triple-A.

The left-handed pitcher's hype would cool down in Triple-A due to inconsistent play. Walks and home runs seemed to be the two biggest issues.

Even with the struggles in Triple-A, Drohan's stock rose this season. He finished the year with a 5.05 ERA, .260 BAA, and 1.58 WHIP between Double-A and Triple-A. Drohan struck out 129 batters compared to 72 walks in 123 innings.

The numbers don't look great, but there were a few factors to consider. First of all, no pitcher looked good at Polar Park this year. Triple-A wasn't doing any favors for pitchers, and Worcester really accentuated that. Drohan was no exception.

This doesn't just mean you can completely throw out the numbers (especially the walks), but it puts things into perspective a bit.

Most importantly, Drohan added some velocity this season. That's the big takeaway.

He appeared to lose it a bit as the season went on, so maybe there was some fatigue. But getting his fastball up a few ticks on the radar gun adds a lot to Drohan's game.

Shane Drohan has a strong command of his fastball, which has some movement. The uptick of velocity means he sits in the low 90s and can reach back for a few extra MPH.

He also threw a cutter, but I didn't see much of it, so we'll skip that here.

Drohan has a curveball that works in the high-70s. It has a hard break to it, and he seems comfortable throwing it in different spots of an at bat. While it isn't a devastating pitch, it gets the job done and can keep hitters off balance.

Finally, there's a changeup, which is his best pitch. The changeup sits in the mid-80s and has arm movement similiar to his fastball. It features a solid late drop and can produce a lot of swings and misses.

Fastball: 45

Curveball: 50

Changeup: 60

Control: 50

Overall: 50

No. 21: Red Sox catching propsect Nathan Hickey

Nathan Hickey is a catcher without a position. Does that make sense? Not really.

Hickey entered the 2023 season as the top-catching prospect in the organization. The issue was his defense. His bat was elite, but there were a lot of questions wondering if he'd be able to stick at the position.

The lack of other catching prospects for the Boston Red Sox made it easier to envision the team sticking with Hickey behind the plate. However, the emergence of a few names (and the drafting of Kyle Teel) sort of changed that.

Hickey's defense still fell short in 2023, but again, his offensive production was phenomenal.

The left-handed hitter slashed .265/.362/.496 with 24 doubles, one triple, and 19 home runs between High-A and Double-A. He drove in 65 runs, scored 62 more, and stole three bases in 98 games (359 at-bats).

Hickey spent the entire season as one of the more consistent bats in Boston's organization. Even with a bump up to Double-A, an injury, and playing a position that limits playing time, Hickey never stopped producing with the bat.

The bat is a clear Major League tool. Hickey's struggled behind the plate and had a tough time throwing out base runners. He doesn't have a terrible arm, but the whole presentation isn't great.

That leaves the question, where will he play? Will the Red Sox keep trying him at catcher, seeing that it gives him the most value? Is there a move to first base or the outfield in the future? Could this lead to them shipping him off in a trade?

The good news is that the bat will carry him. Having a catcher that can hit adds so much value. But even if he moves off the position, Hickey's offense plays anywhere on the field. There's not much speed in his game, but you don't need to be fast if you're jogging around the bases.

He has the potential to be a .280s average guy with a high OBP and 25-plus home runs. That works anywhere.

Hit: 65

Power: 65

Run: 35

Arm: 50

Field: 35

Overall: 50

No. 20: Red Sox starting pitching prospect Angel Bastardo

Angel Bastardo had some of the more dominant stretches of any Boston Red Sox pitching prospects in 2023.

The right-handed pitcher posted a 4.68 ERA, .221 BAA, and 1.28 WHIP between High-A and Double-A. He struck out 149 batters compared to 55 walks in 119 1/3 innings.

Bastardo had rough patches throughout the season but also put together a few ridiculous starts. Those starts included back-to-back complete games shutouts (although one was only six innings and the other was seven innings). In those two games, Bastardo allowed five hits and no walks while striking out 23 batters.

Those two starts highlight the intriguing dominance that Bastardo showcased multiple times in 2023.

The 22-year-old's fastball sits in the low-mid 90s and can sneak into the high 90s. It's not the most dominant fastball, but if he can add some more command to it, there's enough velocity that it's a solid pitch.

Then there's a slider in the high 80s. It has fun movement and a good break, but can look different depending on the night. That gives me the feeling that Bastardo doesn't have the best control of the pitch yet.

A curveball that works in the low 80s is next. It is probably Bastardo's most intriguing pitch. When it's right, the pitch has a deep break that gets hitters off balance. However, it's inconsistent and sometimes doesn't do Bastardo any favors. It could be a plus pitch, but it needs to find consistency first.

Right now, the changeup is Bastardo's best pitch. Sitting in the mid-80s, it has a devastating late drop. It works perfectly when he's got command of his fastball.

Angel Bastardo had an eye-opening campaign in 2023 and became another legitimate Boston Red Sox pitching prospect. The high strikeout totals are fun, but he'll need to become more consistent with his pitches to elevate himself higher.

Fastball: 50

Slider: 50

Curveball: 50

Changeup: 55

Control: 45

Overall: 50

No. 19: Red Sox relief pitching prospect Luis Guerrero

Luis Guerrero is exactly what I've wanted for years now. The Boston Red Sox having a homegrown closer for the foreseeable future would make me so happy.

Remember how nice it was having Jonathan Papelbon all those years? Koji Uehara was awesome, Craig Kimbrel was great, and Kenley Jansen has been nice.

But imagine having a young closer who could be with the team for 15 years. What a beautiful thing to have locked up.

The right-handed reliever posted a 2.32 ERA, .157 BAA, and 1.23 WHIP between Double-A and Triple-A. He struck out 68 batters compared to 37 walks in 54 1/3 innings.

Guerrero only surrendered three home runs in 2023. The 23-year-old picked up 19 saves in 24 opportunities.

The walk numbers seem high, but Guerrero had pockets of issues. There were problems in April and July. Then, he had a four-walk outing in September. Outside of that, he was solid.

Guerrero has a fastball that sits in the high 90s and can hit 100 MPH (he did so in the future's game). He can be wild with the pitch but will also attack hitters and can start pumping them in the zone, daring the hitter to catch up.

His splitter works in the low 80s. It has a fantastic late dip to it and can get hitters flailing. Again, control is a bit of an issue here. Sometimes, the pitch is wild, while other times, it sits in the zone and gets rocked. It's a devastating pitch when Guerrero's on, though.

Finally, there's a slider that sits in the high 80s. This is a tough one to grade. Watching it on the broadcast, I thought it looked good. Seeing it live, though, is a different story. Live, the slider looks like the nasty pitch in existence. The pitch features a great sweeping break that loses hitters. It seems to be his most inconsistent pitch, though.

Luis Guerrero is being groomed to be a closer in the Major Leagues and definitely has the stuff to succeed. He needs to work on his control and consistency, but he should be a fun arm for Boston for a long time. Guerrero has one of the best stories in the minor leagues as well.

Fastball: 65

Splitter: 55

Slider: 50

Control: 40

Overall: 55

No. 18: Red Sox third base propsect Antonio Anderson

Antonio Anderson was a third-round draft pick (83rd overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft. The Boston Red Sox selected him out of high school, and he finished the year in Single-A.

We only saw seven games of Anderson in Single-A, but he showcased quite a bit. The switch-hitting third baseman slashed .167/.239/.214 with two doubles in 12 games between the FCL and Single-A. Anderson drove in four runs, scored two more, and stole one base.

The 18-year-old is listed as a shortstop but only appeared in the field at third base this season. He also has the ability to play second base.

Anderson is a 6'3", 205 lb switch-hitting infielder with intriguing power potential that could get better as he matures and fills out more. There could be 30-plus home run seasons in his future.

I didn't get to see all that much of Anderson in 2023. However, he has already given a lot to like. His swing looks good from both sides of the plate.

Meanwhile, he looks smooth in the field. I wouldn't be surprised if he excelled at third base after a little bit of time getting used to the position. Anderson certainly has the arm for the position.

As of right now, he's got pretty good speed, especially for a third-baseman with good power. It might drop a bit if he fills out more (which would add to his power). Either way, it won't ever be a weak point in his game. He's not fast, but he has enough speed to keep pitchers honest and steal a few bags.

Antonio Anderson is a prospect I could see shooting up my rankings next year. He's only in this position right now because of how little I saw. It wouldn't shock me if he found himself firmly in the top 10 by the end of 2024.

Hit: 55

Power: 55

Run: 45

Arm: 60

Field: 50

Overall: 55

No. 17: Red Sox starting pitching prospect Jedixson Paez

Jedixson Paez is the enigma of the Boston Red Sox pitching prospects, in my opinion.

Paez had a fantastic first season in the minor leagues. The right-handed pitcher posted a 3.31 ERA, .230 BAA, and 1.01 WHIP in Single-A. He struck out 73 batters in 84 1/3 innings, only surrendering 12 walks.

The strikeouts are low, but other than that, Paez put up phenomenal numbers. So what's the issue? Why is he an enigma?

The control is already well ahead of his age. A 19-year-old shouldn't be able to locate the way he does.

The control is elite, but you need the stuff to get hitters out at higher levels. Paez's biggest question is his velocity.

He has a fastball that sits right around 90 MPH. The command is there. The velocity could use a boost, though. The good news is that Paez has already shown he can work on that, as his 2022 fastball was in the mid-80s.

He also has a changeup that works in the low 80s. It looks a lot like his fastball but has a decent late drop, and the increased speed in his fastball makes this an even tougher pitch for hitters to see. 

Finally, there's a curveball that sits in the high 70s. It has a good break to it, and Paez can unsurprisingly locate it very well. The ability to locate makes a good breaking ball great.

Jedixson Paez is such a strange pitching prospect for the Boston Red Sox. He's intriguing because the stuff looks good, and the control is elite. But can you trust him to not get hit around in the higher levels if he doesn't add more velocity?

Honestly, I think you can make it without 95-plus on the fastball. It would make things a whole lot easier, though.

If Paez does add some velocity, I wouldn't be shocked if he became a name the national media picks up on quickly. So be on the lookout for that next season.

Fastball: 50

Changeup: 45

Curveball: 55

Control: 70

Overall: 55

No. 16: Red Sox starting pitching prospect Hunter Dobbins

Hunter Dobbins came into 2023 as sort of an unknown. Drafted in 2021, he only had 69 innings of work entering this season due to injuries.

The injuries were part of the reason the Boston Red Sox were able to draft Dobbins in the eighth round of the 2021 draft, though.

Dobbins may have come into 2023 as an unknown, but fans are excited about him now.

The right-handed pitcher posted a 3.67 ERA, .240 BAA, and 1.19 WHIP between High-A and Double-A. He struck out 122 batters compared to only 31 walks in 112 2/3 innings.

Dobbins failed to go at least five innings just three times in 20 appearances this season. One was his first outing of the year. Another was his last (where he was dealing, but Portland wanted to work a few pitchers).

He went six-plus innings nine times, four of which were seven-inning outings.

Dobbins has the makings of a workhorse. He doesn't walk many batters, and home runs don't kill him. The ability to consistently give his team at least five innings of work was incredible in 2023. It shows the potential of a legitimate rotation arm.

Dobby has a fastball that works in the mid-90s and can sneak into the high 90s. He gets a lot of cut on it and seems to have great control of the pitch.

Then there's a curveball with a good dropping break. It tends to work in the high 70s. He's pretty consistent with the pitch and isn't afraid to use it early in counts. Dobbins says he's working on throwing it harder for more deception.

Next is a splitter in the low-80s with a good drop. Dobbins told me this was his favorite pitch. It has a low spin rate similar to a knuckleball and produces a lot of swings-and-misses for him.

Finally, Dobbins has a sweeper. The pitch works in the mid-to-high-80s with some good sharp breaks to it. He says he developed it in the last couple of games this year, and I'm assuming this is the pitch. Adding this to the arsenal gives Dobbins a lethal pitch mix.

Hunter Dobbins has catapulted himself into the "legitimate starting pitching prospect" territory. 2024 could see him take another leap as he's creeping up on the Major Leagues.

Fastball: 60

Curveball: 50

Splitter: 60

Sweeper: 50

Control: 60

Overall: 55

No. 15: Red Sox corner infield prospect Blaze Jordan

Blaze Jordan has had an interesting narrative surrounding him since being a third-round draft pick in 2020. There have been a lot of trying to tear him down.

He's not good enough in the field. You can't have a right-handed first baseman. He's nothing but flashy power. His bat speed isn't good enough for the high minors.

Jordan's done an incredible job of disproving all of those.

The right-handed hitter slashed .296/.350/.481 with 32 doubles, one triple, and 18 home runs between High-A and Double-A. He drove in 86 runs, scored 67 more, and stole two bases.

Jordan walked 40 times (7.6%) and only struck out 75 times (14.3%). You'd love to see the walk rate jump next season, but you can't help but be impressed with the strikeout rate.

Jordan is showing off that exciting power while continuously putting the ball in play. His numbers did go down in Double-A, but he held his own despite being just 20.

Jordan definitely punishes breaking stuff, but he's shown growth against fastballs. The low strikeout rate is encouraging and shows that Jordan can handle better pitching.

Meanwhile, the power is real. There's a reason people were so enamored with him before. 30-plus home run seasons could come in bunches.

Defensively, Jordan has showcased a phenomenal arm and a decent glove at third base. Personally, I thought he was a positive at first base, and his defense there is underrated.

Speed isn't ever going to be a part of his game. That's fine, though. You don't expect power-hitting corner infielders to be burners.

Blaze Jordan came into the Boston Red Sox organization as a fun power bat who needed to prove a lot of doubters wrong. Through three years, Jordan's shut a lot of them up.

Hit: 55

Power: 65

Run: 40

Arm: 60

Field: 50

Overall: 55

No. 14: Red Sox starting pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz

Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz came into 2023 as one of the most intriguing pitching prospects in the Boston Red Sox system. Right up there with Luis Perales as someone with exciting potential who had barely any exposure to work with.

Perales took off this year and proved himself to be a top prospect in the system.

Rodriguez-Cruz didn't quite get there this year. It wasn't due to his play on the field but that he couldn't stay on it.

The right-handed pitcher made 14 starts this year, all in Single-A. He posted a 2.60 ERA, .219 BAA, and 1.27 BAA in 55 1/3 innings. Rodriguez-Cruz struck out 51 batters compared to 27 walks.

ERC only made two appearances after July 6. They were two different September outings, and both only lasted one inning.

Rodriguez-Cruz has a fastball that tends to sit in the low 90s. He has the potential to add some velocity as he gets older and physically matures. There were games where he showed pinpoint command and others where he looked lost.

His changeup works in the low 80s. The pitch has a decent dip and can get hitters flailing if he's on top of his game. However, sometimes, it sits flat and looks different enough from his fastball that hitters aren't fooled.

ERC's best pitch is a mid-to-high-70s curveball. It has a sweeping hard break, and he seems to have fantastic control of the pitch. He rarely leaves it flat or misses over the plate.

I didn't see enough of his slider to grade it at all.

Hopefully, we'll see Rodriguez-Cruz get a full season in 2024. We saw a stretch where he threw at least five innings in eight of nine appearances. Two of those were six innings long. He'll start next season as a 20-year-old with over 60 innings of experience in Single-A.

Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz is extremely raw, but the potential is legit. 2024 could be an exciting year.

Fastball: 55

Changeup: 45

Curveball: 65

Control: 50

Overall: 55

No. 13: Red Sox shortstop prospect Mikey Romero

Mikey Romero didn't have the best 2023. A back injury meant he was going to miss the first few weeks. However, weeks turned into months.

Romero finally made his season debut in Single-A in July. He appeared in 23 games for Salem before being promoted to High-A in the middle of August. However, after three games with Greenville, another injury ended the 2022 first-round draft pick's season.

The left-handed hitter slashed .214/.294/.286 with five doubles and two triples between three levels (FCL, Single-A, High-A). Romero drove in 13 runs, scored 15 more, and stole two bases in 34 games (126 ABs).

It's hard to judge Romero off of this season. He got a late start to the season and barely saw any playing time before getting shut down the rest of the way.

We've seen Romero show off great bat-to-ball skills and the ability to work counts and draw walks. He doesn't possess much power, but there's enough there to make you wonder if he can add some pop as he matures.

Romero is a solid defensive shortstop with a good arm. He has enough speed to get to balls in the hole. That speed should also lend itself well on the bases. Again, it's not elite, but 15-20 steals add an extra wrinkle to his game.

Romero is an interesting prospect because, right now, his only elite tool is his hitting. However, there's potential for him to grow into more power and continue improving defensively. There's enough speed in his game that it should be considered a positive.

So, while Romero's only got one plus tool at the moment, there's a clear vision where we could see more parts of his game sneak into that territory.

Hit: 65

Power: 45

Run: 50

Arm: 55

Field: 55

Overall: 55

No. 12: Red Sox utility prospect Eddinson Paulino

Eddinson Paulino was the new favorite prospect in the Boston Red Sox system in 2022. This was thanks to a monster year in Single-A that saw him play all over the field while raking at the plate, stealing bases, and showing off some swagger.

Due to this, it feels like people (myself included) unfairly labeled him as the next prospect to take the "Ceddanne Rafaela" jump. It's important to remember that jumps like the one Rafaela took rarely happen.

So when Paulino produced the way he did in High-A this year, people felt he underperformed. That's unfair to Paulino because he put up phenomenal numbers in High-A despite being on the younger side for the level.

The left-handed hitting utility slashed .257/.338/.420 with 28 doubles, four triples, and 12 home runs. He drove in 58 runs, scored 68 more, and stole 26 bases in 115 games (440 ABs).

Paulino spent time at second base and third base, but the bulk of his innings came at shortstop. Although he didn't play in the outfield this year, he got some innings there in 2022.

Paulino has a solid eye and makes a lot of hard contact. He has plenty of speed to help him steal bases and leg out extra bases.

That speed also helps Paulino adapt anywhere in the field. He also has a decent arm that doesn't hurt him when he's playing third base.

Paulino might not be a big batting average guy, but he has the potential to grow into an exciting utility guy who can play anywhere on the field. He'll give his team a decent OBP with some pop and plenty of speed.

Hit: 55

Power: 50

Run: 55

Arm: 50

Field: 60

Overall: 55

No. 11: Red Sox outfield prospect Allan Castro

Allan Castro was an interesting name at the beginning of the season that very few people had marked as such. Castro wasted almost zero time making people pay attention, though.

The switch-hitting outfielder collected a hit in each of his first four games of the season in Single-A. Those games included two doubles, a home run (grand slam), and nine RBI.

He cooled down for a while after that, but hitting in Salem will do that to anyone. The good news is that he picked it back up as the year went on.

Castro finished the season slashing .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 ABs).

Castro walked 68 times (13.8%) and struck out 90 times (18.3%).

The 20-year-old has showcased plenty of raw power. He'll gladly send a baseball two states over if the pitcher makes a mistake. However, he also showed fantastic discipline at the plate and made an impact even when he wasn't hitting the ball much.

Castro's a solid glove in the outfield. Maybe nothing spectacular, but he should be fine out there. It helps that he has a decent arm. Meanwhile, he has the speed to cover some ground and steal double-digit bases.

What makes Castro so intriguing is how raw he is. He was able to do so much this year, although he still has plenty of room to grow.

However, this also makes Castro hard to project. Will the bat keep getting better? He's already shown he has a solid command of the strike zone. That should give him a good base to grow on.

There's a world where Castro becomes an absolute superstar. In that world, he could be a decent outfielder with okay speed who can get on base at a high .300s clip with 30-plus home runs. That is the high-side projection for him, but with the rapid growth we saw in 2023, it doesn't feel as wild.

Hit: 65

Power: 65

Run: 45

Arm: 45

Field: 45

Overall: 55

No. 10: Red Sox infield propsect Chase Meidroth

Chase Meidroth started his Boston Red Sox career strong in 2022 after being selected in the fourth round of the draft earlier that year. With slightly higher expectations heading into 2023, he managed to smash right through them.

Meidroth spent the year between High-A and Double-A. The right-handed hitting infielder slashed .271/.408/.391 with 19 doubles, one triple, and nine home runs between the two levels. He drove in 57 runs, scored 78 more, and stole 13 bases in 111 games (399 ABs).

Meidroth walked 80 times (16.2%) while only striking out 98 times (19.9%). That's a strong strikeout rate and a phenomenal walk rate.

Meidroth works counts and puts the bat on the ball. He might not have much power, but the ability to reach base is legit.

Speed-wise, I feel like he's a bit underrated. There's more athleticism there than people give him credit for. He could steal 15-20 bases. Maybe even a few more, thanks to the high OBP.

Defensively, Meidroth was a wizard in 2023. Coming into the year, I thought he was really solid. This season, we saw him play second base, third base, and shortstop. He made highlight reel plays at all three spots.

Meidroth has a solid arm that allows him to play all three spots with no issue. His glove and footwork fit in all three positions as well.

Chase Meidroth feels like the type of prospect that never gets a ton of hype. People know who he is and think he's solid, but not many people will consider him a top-tier guy.

Then he'll make it to the Majors and have a decade-plus career with a .380 OBP or something crazy. His versatility defensively makes his future in Boston a little more clear, which is nice. He's the kind of player that winning teams need.

Hit: 65

Power: 35

Run: 55

Arm: 55

Field: 65

Overall: 55

No. 9: Red Sox starting pitching prospect Yordanny Monegro

Yordanny Monegro burst onto the scene in 2023 as the most entertaining prospect in the Boston Red Sox system.

Following a brief run of dominance in the FCL to start his season, Monegro moved up to Single-A. After nine overpowering appearances with Salem, the right-handed pitcher was on the move again. He got to finish out his season with some impressive starts in High-A.

Monegro finished the year with a 2.06 ERA, .194 BAA, and 1.10 WHIP between the three levels. He struck out 93 batters compared to 26 walks in 65 2/3 innings.

Monegro quickly captured the hearts of Red Sox fans thanks to his combination of a filthy curveball and an electrifying attitude.

We started to see a lot of strikeouts from Monegro. And with those strikeouts came emotions. The pitcher has an unlimited bag of celebrations he reaches into whenever he picks up a K.

I love this for a few reasons. It energizes the crowd, his teammates, and Monegro himself. You're playing a game, and you should be having fun.

It also gets into his opponent's heads. We saw this in the playoffs. Monegro finished an inning with a strikeout and walked back to the dugout, wagging his finger and shaking his head. When the broadcast came back on for the next inning, the announcer informed everyone that the player who struck out had to be restrained by his teammate and the umpire as he yelled at Greenville's dugout.

Greenville won that game and the series.

It also doesn't hurt that catching prospect Kyle Teel seems to love Monegro's talent and attitude. That's a major vote of confidence right there.

The 20-year-old has a fastball that sits in the mid-90s. It doesn't have a ton of movement, but it looks like a pitch that he isn't afraid to attack hitters with, especially up in the zone. The good news is that Monegro seems to have good command of the pitch.

Then there's a slider in the mid-80s. This is probably Monegro's worst pitch that I've seen. It's not a bad pitch, but it's the one that has the most potential to go wrong, as he can leave it a little flat at times. Not a bad third pitch, though.

The curveball is the real star of the show here. I legitimately believe this is the best curveball I've ever personally seen from a prospect. It tends to sit in the mid-to-high-70s, but I've seen it drop to 73 MPH.

He has fantastic control of the pitch, and it has a disgustingly unfair sweeping break. Monegro can drop it into the zone for a strike, but it's more fun to watch hitters flail at a pitch in the dirt that hits them in the ankles.

Yordanny Monegro became a fan-favorite thanks to the swagger he has on the mound. However, the talent is there to match it. If he can add a little to his fastball, it will be hard for hitters to ever figure him out.

Fastball: 55

Slider: 40

Curveball: 80

Control: 45

Overall: 55

No. 08: Red Sox catching prospect Johanfran Garcia

Johanfran Garcia is the younger brother of Jhostynxon Garcia. Instead of an outfielder, Garcia is a big bat behind the plate.

The right-handed hitting catcher slashed .274/.372/.442 with 13 doubles, two triples, and six home runs between the FCL and Single-A. He drove in 37 runs, scored 29 more, and stole six bases in 57 games (208 at-bats). Garcia walked 24 times compared to 61 strikeouts.

If it wasn't for Kyle Teel (who we'll get to later), it feels like Garcia would be the best all-around catcher in the Boston system. The Red Sox were lacking when it came to catching prospects heading into the season, and now it feels like they're in a phenomenal place. The emergence of Garcia is a big reason for that.

Johanfran Garcia has a violent-looking swing that leads to hard contact. He should be able to keep a solid average and reach base at a high clip.

When it comes to home runs, Garcia has real potential for big numbers.

Defensively, Garcia isn't the best catcher in the system. However, he possesses solid athleticism for the position and looked good behind the plate in the short time I got to see him. The arm strength looks to be a plus as well.

Garcia is absolutely an offense-first catcher. However, he's no slouch with the glove.

He's not fast, but Garcia's not slow compared to other catchers. It won't factor into his game much, but it's not a massive negative.

Garcia has the potential to be a solid mid-to-high .300s OBP guy with 25-plus home runs and plenty of run production while being a solid receiver behind the dish.

Kyle Teel might be in a league of his own when it comes to catching prospects in the Red Sox system. Johanfran Garcia isn't too far behind him, though.

Hit: 60

Power: 65

Run: 35

Arm: 60

Field: 50

Overall: 55

No. 07: Red Sox starting pitching prospect Wikelman Gonzalez

Wikelman Gonzalez had about as bad of a first month as you could have. In his first four starts, Gonzalez only tossed 8 2/3 innings. He had a 15.58 ERA, .294 BAA, and 3.00 WHIP in those 8 2/3 innings. Even worse, Gonzalez had a solid 14 strikeouts but a devastating 16 walks. Nearly two times as many walks as innings pitched.

The rest of his season was utter nails, though. Gonzalez was so lights out he was promoted to Double-A halfway through the year.

The right-handed pitcher finished with a 3.96 ERA, .190 BAA, and 1.31 WHIP between High-A and Double-A. He struck out 168 batters compared to 70 walks in 111 1/3 innings.

The walks seem high, but it's hard to complain after such a rough start to the year.

Gonzalez has a fun four-pitch mix to work with.

His fastball works in the mid-90s with plenty of movement. Sometimes, he can't find control, but Gonzalez tends to have more issues with nibbling instead of getting too wild. He isn't afraid to attack hitters.

Gonzalez has a changeup that looks like his fastball out of his hand. The arm movement is very similar. However, his changeup sits in the mid-80s with a late dip. He doesn't always have command of it, which sometimes leads to what is essentially a slower fastball.

He has a slider that is similar to his curveball but not as good. Gonzalez doesn't seem to have as much control over it, and it sits in the mid-80s.

Finally, there's the curveball. Last year, I said this was probably his worst pitch (although I said it was still good). I was a fool. It's his best pitch. The curveball breaks something filthy and works in the mid-to-high-70s. It gets hitters flailing a lot, and he has the command to drop it in for a strike when he wants, as well.

Imaginary bonus points for Hunter Dobbins telling me that Wikelman Gonzalez has the best curveball he's ever seen.

Wikelman Gonzalez took all the strides you'd want to see this season. The start of the year hurt his overall numbers, but it was great to see him work out of the struggles and improve. He's a potential top-of-the-rotation arm who racks up the strikeouts (but might have some games where the walks get to him).

Fastball: 65

Changeup: 55

Slider: 50

Curveball: 70

Control: 45

Overall: 55

No. 06: Red Sox second base prospect Nick Yorke

Nick Yorke needed a bounce-back season after a rough 2022 in High-A that saw a nagging wrist injury hamper his production.

Maybe that rough 2022 was why Yorke starting the year up in Double-A came as a surprise to some. It showed that the organization had confidence in one of their top prospects, though.

This decision paid off. Yorke was healthy and had a phenomenal season in Double-A despite being just 21 all year.

The right-handed hitting second baseman slashed .268/.350/.435 with 25 doubles, five triples, and 13 home runs. He drove in 61 runs, scored 74 more, and stole 18 bases.

Yorke struck out 122 times (24.1%) and walked 51 times (10.1%). While those numbers aren't fantastic, they are improved from last year. The fact that Yorke managed to take steps forward despite playing in Double-A all season is impressive.

Yorke works counts well at the top of the order and consistently makes hard contact. I've said for a while that he's an underrated defender. This year, Yorke was recognized as the best defensive second baseman in his league. He's not just underrated, but he's good.

Yorke has a good glove and an accurate arm. He also possesses more than enough athleticism to make tough plays.

The California native has decent speed with solid baserunning ability. He picked it up at the end of the year to set a new career-high in stolen bases. Yorke has enough speed to be a threat and swipe 15-20 bags a season.

Nick Yorke looks like a Major League player. Maybe he's not the most electrifying prospect, but he's consistently good at everything. Could be a legitimate .280-range bat with 15 home runs and 15 steals while playing great defense at second.

Hit: 70

Power: 50

Run: 55

Arm: 50

Field: 65

Overall: 55

No. 05: Red Sox starting pitching prospect Luis Perales

Luis Perales struggled in his first few starts of the 2023 season. However, once things got rolling, he put on a show.

The right-handed pitcher finished with a 3.91 ERA, .230 BAA, and 1.42 WHIP between Single-A and High-A. He struck out 115 batters compared to 50 walks in 89 2/3 innings.

Perales had 15 walks compared to 14 strikeouts through his first five outings (14 2/3 innings) of the season. He cleaned up considerably after that.

Perales mainly uses three pitches.

A fastball that sits in the mid-90s and can flirt with 100 MPH. He can elevate it to blow by hitters, and it looks dominant. Control got better as the year went on. It should be a pitch he can lean on.

Then there's a slurve that can be absolutely devastating. Perales gets a sweeping break on the pitch, and it can snap pretty hard. He has a strong command of the pitch. Sitting around 80 MPH, it can leave hitters flailing.

Finally, he has a changeup. I saw more of this pitch this year compared to last season. It sits in the mid-80s with a good late drop. Last year, I said it could be a great third pitch as he grows. The changeup definitely took the steps in the right direction to make this a reality.

Perales will turn 21 on April 14, 2024. Despite his young age, he looks advanced on the mound. There are a few intriguing pitching prospects in the Red Sox system, but Perales has the highest ceiling.

It's difficult to project pitchers in the lower levels of the minor leagues. Luis Perales has the makeup of a potential ace, though.

Fastball: 70

Slurve: 70

Changeup: 55

Control: 50

Overall: 60

No. 04: Red Sox outfield prospect Miguel Bleis

Miguel Bleis entered the 2023 season with absurd levels of hype. After dominating the FCL in 2022, Bleis was getting national praise. An outfielder with all five tools, there was nothing not to love.

2023 started strong for Bleis in Single-A. However, injuries started to play a part. After playing through some issues in early May, Bleis missed two weeks of action. He only appeared in four games upon return before being shut down for the rest of the season.

The right-handed hitting outfielder slashed .230/.282/.325 with three doubles, three triples, and one home run in 31 games (126 at-bats). He drove in 16 runs, scored 18 more, and stole 11 bases. Bleis struck out 38 times compared to 10 walks.

It's tough to really grade the season for Bleis. He was a 19-year-old in Single-A and looked phenomenal for the first month. Injuries derailed the season, though.

Even with the injuries, those numbers aren't terrible for Salem. We saw a lot of players move up from Single-A this year with slashlines that don't get you too excited. Roman Anthony, Allan Castro, and Cutter Coffey all stand out in that respect.

Bleis showcased all his tools in those 31 games. We saw elite speed, great defense, a cannon for an arm, the ability to hit, and some power.

The hype has died down on Bleis a bit. Mainly due to the injury and the emergence of some other prospects (most notably Anthony). However, Bleis is still an absurd talent that could have massive things in store next year.

He has legitimate 50-steal speed. We saw that a lot this year. This also leads to a ton of extra bases and infield singles.

The speed translates in the outfield as well. Bleis made a few Superman grabs, and baserunners attempting to advance on him didn't have a good time.

Bleis is still very raw, but there's legitimate superstar potential. A .300 average with 30/30 talent is there to be molded. It should be a lot of fun to watch him remind everyone how special he is next season.

Hit: 55

Power: 60

Run: 70

Arm: 60

Field: 60

Overall: 60

No. 03: Red Sox catching prospect Kyle Teel

Kyle Teel was expected to go well before 14th in the 2023 MLB Draft. So much so that no one was even talking about what a perfect fit he was for Boston's system. What was the point? He'd be gone before they selected.

Well, he wasn't gone. And the Red Sox wasted little time in snatching him up.

Teel wasted zero time becoming a top name in the system. He crushed the FCL for a few days, then dominated High-A for a few weeks, and finally humiliated Double-A pitching for two weeks.

The left-handed hitting catcher is slashing .363/.482/.495 with six doubles and two home runs between the two levels. He drove in 22 runs, scored 15 more, and stole three bases in 26 games. Teel walked 21 times compared to just 22 strikeouts.

Yes, those are real numbers. And yes, Teel was seen as a defense-first catcher coming out of College. He wasn't expected to be a bum at the plate, but still, not many were expecting him to cruise like this.

Teel has a great arm with some ridiculous pop time. The 21-year-old looks like a leader behind the plate with fantastic defense. He might not hit a ton of home runs, but the OBP will be high, and his sneaky athleticism will lead to a few steals.

Kyle Teel could be in the Majors by 2024, and don't be surprised if he makes an immediate impact. Franchise catcher potential, Teel has everything a team could want from the catcher position. He comes off as a leader that can command a pitching staff while producing offensively.

Hit: 65

Power: 50

Run: 50

Arm: 70

Field: 65

Overall: 60

No. 02: Red Sox outfield prospect Roman Anthony

Perhaps no prospect in baseball saw more of a rise in their stock than Roman Anthony this season. Anthony went from an intriguing prospect that had caught the eye of some Red Sox fans to a national media darling.

Suddenly, Anthony is a can't-miss prospect. Red Sox fans are drooling over him, and every baseball fan knows his name. We're seeing Anthony on everyone's top-100 list, on certain occasions, really high up on those lists.

The hype is deserved, too. Anthony did amazing things this season. He started the year as an 18-year-old in Single-A and finished the season as a barely 19-year-old in Double-A.

The surface numbers didn't look impressive for the left-handed hitting outfielder while he was in Single-A. Salem's park eats hitters whole and doesn't spit out any bones, though. And the underlying numbers (such as his exit velocity, patience at the plate, and contact rates) impressed the right people.

Anthony dominated High-A and got a somewhat surprising call-up to Double-A with two weeks left in the season. He then got 10 games with Portland and terrorized Double-A pitching.

The 19-year-old finished with a .272/.403/.466 with 27 doubles, four triples, and 14 home runs between the three levels. He drove in 64 runs, scored 78 more, and stole 16 bases in 106 games. Anthony walked 86 times compared to 119 strikeouts.

Anthony has everything. He's a good defender in the outfield with a strong arm. Despite some questions when he was drafted, it looks like he can stick in center.

The most intriguing part of his game is the plus-raw power. He showcased heaps of potential there, but the ability to get on base can't be overlooked. Not to mention, Anthony has more speed than you might realize.

The meteoric rise of Roman Anthony was incredible to watch in 2023. It adds to the overall package that he's a humble guy who loves baseball and wants to prove how good he is. Acknowledge him.

Anthony adds to the ranks of Boston's legitimate superstar-potential prospects. He'll always possess a high OBP and could hit 30-plus homers and steal around 20 bases. Even if Anthony doesn't stick in center, he'll be a solid outfielder with a good arm.

Hit: 65

Power: 70

Run: 60

Arm: 55

Field: 55

Overall: 60

No. 01: Red Sox shortstop prospect Marcelo Mayer

Marcelo Mayer missed the end of the 2023 season due to an injury that he was playing through for months. The injury explains the sudden uptick in strikeouts and struggles at the plate for the left-handed hitter.

Mayer still finished the season with impressive numbers, especially for a 20-year-old splitting time between High-A and Double-A.

The lefty slashed .236/.306/.433 with 19 doubles, two triples, and 12 home runs between the two levels. He drove in 54 runs, scored 43 more, and stole nine bases.

Mayer looked fantastic for the majority of the season. He was walking at a good rate and keeping the strikeouts down. However, Mayer suffered a shoulder injury in early May. After missing a week, he returned and continued to produce for a while. By the end of the year, the injury had caught up to him, though.

Even with the dip in production caused by the injury, 2023 was a positive for Mayer. He was crushing High-A so much that he was in Double-A earlier than expected (made his Portland debut on May 31).

Mayer is a smooth fielder at shortstop. He has a great arm and surprising range. If there were any questions about whether or not he could stick at the position, Mayer has effectively ended all that.

Hitting, Mayer looks like someone who will keep the K rate down while using an effortless-looking swing to terrorize pitchers.

Mayer isn't a speedster, but he's athletic and makes smart base running decisions, which could lead to a handful of steals every year.

There's potential for an average that sits around .300 while Mayer hits 20-plus home runs and steals 15-plus bases each season. He should start 2024 in Double-A with a strong chance of moving up to Triple-A midway through the season.

Hit: 70

Power: 65

Run: 55

Arm: 65

Field: 70

Overall: 65