Boston Red Sox Double-A affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs, were a must-watch team for most of the 2024 season because of their stacked roster.
They started the year with Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Kyle Teel in their lineup. Kristian Campbell joined the group shortly after. Meanwhile, Luis Perales and Hunter Dobbins starred in the rotation.
That's a lot of star power. Everyone there (outside of Perales, who suffered a season-ending injury) finished the year on the Triple-A roster, so none of them will be with Portland this season. How will the makeup of the team look in 2025? Let's try to figure out the 28-man roster.
Projecting the Portland Sea Dogs 2025 Opening Day roster
Catchers
- Ronald Rosario
- Juan Montero
Rosario enjoyed an under-the-radar breakout campaign in 2024. The right-handed hitting catcher saw his slash line dip, but he set career-highs in doubles (19), home runs (8), and RBI (63). Rosie will spend the 2025 season as a 22-year-old at a new level. So don't be shocked if he doesn't replicate that success.
Montero is in a tough spot here. He's a defensive-minded catcher (who can play the corner infielder spots, as well) with little experience at High-A. However, the catching depth in the Red Sox minor league system isn't great. Montero may need to be the Double-A backup.
Infielders
- Tyler Miller (1B/3B)
- Blaze Jordan (1B/3B)
- Mikey Romero (SS/2B/3B)
- Ahbram Liendo (2B/SS)
- Luis Ravelo (2B/SS/3B)
- Drew Ehrhard (1B/2B/C/P?)
Miller is a fantastic defensive first baseman who is a decent bat from the left side. He brings some power and good baserunning to the lineup. Miller won't be the star of the team, but he does everything you need him to.
Jordan had a ridiculous amount of bad luck last year. Between hard-hit balls getting caught and freak injuries, nothing was going his way. The right-handed hitting corner infielder is in great shape and has improved dramatically defensively over the years, though. He has the perfect opportunity to remind everyone how good he can be in 2025.
Romero was one of the breakout stars of 2024. Finally healthy, the left-handed hitter found a groove in High-A before a promotion to Double-A late in the season. He promptly hit six homers in 16 games for Portland. He's having a great spring, and you should expect more fireworks from him this season.
Liendo is here for speed and defense. Don't expect much from the bat, but he'll steal bases and make highlight plays. Ravelo has interesting potential both with the glove and with the bat. The switch-hitter should get plenty of opportunities.
Ehrhard spent most of his time at first base last year, but he did play a bit of second base, too. The right-handed hitter has also caught a few innings and pitched 3 2/3 innings as well. Ehrhard won't be the top priority on the team but should see a decent amount of playing time (and might catch more, with the position being a bit of a question mark).
Outfielders
- Jhostynxon Garcia
- Allan Castro
- Juan Chacon
- Corey Rosier
- Max Ferguson (OF/2B/SS)
Garcia would've been the true breakout star of 2024 if it wasn't for Kristian Campbell. Garcia is an incredible defender, but that's overshadowed by terrifying offensive potential. He has legitimate pop and solid speed. The 2025 season could see Garcia become a top-100 prospect.
Castro had a bit of a rollercoaster year in 2024. The switch-hitter is still just 21 with an advanced plate approach and intriguing power, though.
Chacon is a good defensive outfielder who has shown some potential offensively. He could see semi-regular reps in the outfield next to Garcia and Castro. Rosier has spent a decent amount of time in Triple-A, but there isn't space for him. He'll bring good speed and defense to the roster.
Ferguson suffered a rough injury early in the season that halted his momentum for a while, so it will be nice to see him get a chance again in 2025.
Starting Pitchers
- David Sandlin
- Connelly Early (L)
- Yordanny Monegro
- Blake Wehunt
- Hayden Mullins (L)
- Tyler Uberstine
Sandlin has filthy stuff. The righty can hit 100 MPH on his fastball and bury breaking pitches in the dirt. He's healthy and now has a full season in the system under his belt. Sandlin's already considered one of their top pitching prospects but could take another step forward this year.
Early is underrated and had a strong 2024 campaign. The lefty might not hit the highest of velocities, but makes it all work. Early racks up strikeouts and limits baserunners.
Monegro is the most electric pitching prospect in the system. The right-hander gets plenty of punchouts and celebrates after each one. He'll be a fan favorite and could have a monster year.
Wehunt is known as the chicken farmer because, well, he has a chicken farm. The righty tore through Single-A and High-A in 2024 before getting one start in Double-A to end the year. Now, he gets a full season at the level.
Mullins is one of the many pitchers in High-A who deserved to be promoted but didn't get one because the Portland rotation was too stacked last year. The left-handed pitcher struck out 118 batters in 89 innings while posting a sub-4.00 ERA.
Relief Pitchers
- Gabriel Jackson
- Christopher Troye
- Alex Hoppe
- Brendan Cellucci (L)
- Zach Bryant
- Reidis Sena
- Jeremy Wu-Yelland (L)
- Cooper Adams
- Jacob Webb
Jackson is the most intriguing name here. The righty saw a massive uptick in velocity last year and is suddenly one of the more filthy relievers in the system.
Troye and Hoppe are in the same boat. They had big expectations in 2024 but fell short of meeting them. Both are in a great position to bounce back and return to being considered potential bullpen pieces for Boston in the future.
Cellucci spent time in Triple-A last year but is a victim of too many veterans taking up spots there. He's a good lefty who racks up Ks.
Bryant came back from an injury last year and looked good at times but rusty at others. Sena struggled after being promoted to Double-A in 2024 but was great in High-A.
Wu-Yelland returned from an injury and took a bullpen role last year. It feels like that will be where he stays in the future. That could add value as he becomes a lefty reliever who can eat a few innings.
Adams spent all last year in High-A, where we saw some good and some bad. If he improved his swing and miss, we could see a nice step forward. Meanwhile, Webb got a taste of Triple-A last year but will be back in Double-A due to the influx of veterans in Worcester. He racked up a shocking 83 2/3 innings last year.