Despite the flurry of moves the Red Sox made over the holidays, Red Sox minor leaguer Miguel Bleis, who ranks No. 5 in the Red Sox system, received a vote of confidence from two MLB.com minor league reporters for the upcoming season. They have tabbed him as the prospect best primed to break out in 2024.
The praise for the 19-year-old from the Dominican Republic didn't stop there, either. After predicting a breakout season for Bleis the year before, Callis and Dykstra's explanation set high expectations for the young prospect to fulfill.
"Bostons best international prospect since Rafael Devers, Bleis is a center fielder with the potential for at least solid tools across the board."Jim Callis and Sam Dykstra
The Red Sox signed Bleis out of the Dominican Republic in 2021 for $1.5 million and since then, he has swiftly become one of the best young talents in all of baseball after his strong showing in the Dominican Summer League and Florida Complex League.
After a breakout 2022, during which the young prospect burst onto the scene with the FCL Red Sox, posting a .301/.353/.542 line, the 19-year-old prospect suffered a major setback during his second season of pro ball after he subluxated his left shoulder in May.
The injury wasn't the only setback Bleis suffered in 2023. Before landing on the shelf, he struggled to adjust to the higher level in Salem during his short stint there to start the year posting a stat line of .230/.282/.325.
Red Sox fans should believe in a Miguel Bleis bounce back in 2024
Although 2023 proved to be a challenging season for Bleis, he's entering his third year of professional baseball at just 19 years old, leaving ample room for growth as he progresses through the minor leagues and looks to move to the upper levels of the system.
Much of Bleis's upside is in his potential as a five-tool player, a type the Red Sox haven't had since they traded Mookie Betts in 2020. This sentiment is evident within the Red Sox organization as well, with Farm Director Brian Abraham expressing such views during an interview with The Boston Globe's Alex Speier last year.
"You don’t talk about five-tool players too often, but he is one of them."Brian Abraham
Another reason to believe in a bounce back is the work he has been putting in this offseason after undergoing season-ending surgery in June. Abraham said as much in an interview with Speier this offseason.
"Bleis looks great, has added some good weight, looks good physically, and mentally is in a good spot. He should be ready for a normal spring training."Brian Abraham
In the end, prospects can be unpredictable, and projecting how their careers will unfold is challenging. However, there are many reasons to believe Bleis will continue to establish himself as a top prospect in the Red Sox system (and all of baseball) in 2024 as he looks to continue to work towards his goal of reaching the major leagues by 21 years old.