The Boston Red Sox had a disappointing end to the week, but are still driving the bus when it comes to being in a playoff spot.
Boston could see some reinforcements from Triple-A soon, and with that, we’d see shakeups all over the minor league system. There were some impressive performances this week, which could shape how those promotions happen and how the rest of the season goes for each team.
Red Sox Prospect Update: Justin Gonzales, Justin Riemer, Payton Tolle
Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A)
Payton Tolle dominated in his lone start this week. The left-handed pitcher allowed three hits over five shutout innings. He walked one batter and struck out five.
Tolle has now pitched nine straight scoreless innings following a disastrous first inning at the Triple-A level. It still feels like the Red Sox are hoping he can factor into the roster this season, and if he pitches like he did this week again, it could happen soon.
Connelly Early had a solid start, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits over five innings. The left-handed pitcher struck out five batters and walked three.
Early could also be an option for the major league roster this year, but there are a few people ahead of him in the pecking order (Tolle, David Sandlin, and maybe even Tyler Uberstine), so we might not see him until 2026.
Jhostynxon Garcia went 9-for-26 with a double, a home run, and seven RBI. The right-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .308/.372/.573 with 12 doubles, three triples, and 17 home runs since being promoted to Triple-A. He’s driven in 56 runs, scored 52 more, and stolen two bases at the level.
Garcia feels like a very outside shot of making his debut in 2025. However, he’s playing well enough that the Red Sox might have to make the move (and he played his first game at first base this week).
Mikey Romero went 5-for-22 with a double, a home run, and eight RBI. The left-handed hitting infielder is slashing .241/.301/.430 with 20 doubles, four triples, and 11 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A. He’s driven in 54 runs, scored 44 more, and stolen four bases.
Portland Sea Dogs (Double-A)
Hayden Mullins allowed one run on two hits over six innings on August 17. The left-handed pitcher struck out seven batters and walked three.
Mullins has a 1.97 ERA, .160 BAA, and 1.01 WHIP in 18 appearances (17 starts) between High-A and Double-A this season. He has 101 strikeouts compared to 38 walks in 82 1/3 innings.
John Holobetz surrendered two runs on four hits over 6 2/3 innings. He walked one batter and struck out four.
Holobetz has a 3.43 ERA, .248 BAA, and 1.12 WHIP in 19 appearances (16 starts) between Single-A, High-A, and Double-A this season. The right-handed pitcher has 101 strikeouts compared to just 16 walks in 99 2/3 innings across the three levels of the minor leagues.
Dalton Rogers continued his sneakily fantastic season this week. The left-handed pitcher allowed one run on three hits over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out six batters and walked three.
Rogers has a 3.66 ERA, .227 BAA, and 1.40 WHIP in 19 appearances (12 starts) between High-A and Double-A. He has 102 strikeouts compared to 47 walks in 83 2/3 innings.
Marvin Alcantara has had back-to-back three-hit games. The right-handed hitting infielder is slashing .242/.315/.303 with 13 doubles, one triple, and two home runs between High-A and Double-A. He’s driven in 35 runs, scored 38 more, and stolen eight bases.
Tyler Miller had a big week, including a four-hit performance on Saturday. The left-handed hitting first baseman went 6-for-12 with doubles, a walk, and an RBI.
Miller is slashing .195/.263/.335 with nine doubles, three triples, and six home runs. He’s driven in 29 runs, scored 26 more, and stolen two bases. Now healthy and getting consistent playing time, don’t be surprised if Miller has some more big performances for Portland.
Greenville Drive (High-A)
Johanfran Garcia had a hit in all four games he appeared in this week and is now on a five-game hitting streak. He went 5-for-18 with a pair of home runs in the series.
The right-handed hitting catcher is slashing .246/.329/.420 with three doubles and seven home runs since being promoted to High-A. He’s driven in 22 runs, scored 21 more, and stolen one base.
Justin Riemer had his best week of the season, collecting three multi-hit games and his first professional home run.
The right-handed hitting utility player is slashing .244/.416/.290 with five doubles and a home run this season. He’s driven in 16 runs, scored 25 more, and stolen nine bases. Riemer has more walks (49) than strikeouts (44) this season.
Franklin Arias went 5-for-21 with a home run this week. The right-handed hitting shortstop is slashing .280/.333/.388 with 23 doubles, one triple, and six home runs between Single-A and High-A this season. He’s driven in 54 runs, scored 51 more, and stolen 11 bases.
Devin Futrell allowed one unearned run on one hit over four innings in his lone start. The right-handed pitcher struck out three batters and walked two.
Futrell has a 2.14 ERA, .227 BAA, and 1.12 WHIP in 14 starts between Single-A and High-A. He has 32 strikeouts compared to 12 walks in 46 1/3 innings.
Salem Red Sox (Single-A)
Justin Gonzales is so easy to fall in love with as a prospect. The right-handed hitting outfielder went 8-for-22 with two doubles and a home run, walked three times and didn’t strike out once.
Gonzales is slashing .294/.381/.415 with 19 doubles, two triples, and four home runs since being promoted to Single-A. The 18-year-old has 27 RBI, 44 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases.
Starlyn Nunez is on a seven-game hitting streak. The switch-hitting infielder is slashing .261/.317/.420 with 19 doubles, six triples, and eight home runs this season. He’s driven in 46 runs, scored 47 more, and stolen 16 bases.
Natanael Yuten went 7-for-20 with three doubles this week. The left-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .278/.332/.406 with 18 doubles, five triples, and three home runs. He’s driven in 34 runs, scored 39 more, and stolen nine bases.
Gerardo Rodriguez is a fantastic defensive catcher, but it’s been noted that he lacks offensive ability (especially in the power department). He’s changing that narrative quickly.
The right-handed hitting catcher is slashing .346/.419/.615 with a double and two home runs since being promoted to Single-A. Rodriguez has driven in four runs, scored three more, and stolen a base at the level. He’s walked four times and only struck out once.
Maximus Martin went 4-for-17 this week with two doubles and his first professional home run. The right-handed hitting infielder is slashing .238/.373/.381 with three doubles and a homer. He’s driven in five runs, scored eight more, and stolen four bases.
D’Angelo Ortiz had his best series in Single-A this week. The right-handed hitting infielder went 4-for-13 with a double and three RBI. He walked three times and only struck out twice.
Ortiz is slashing .205/.304/.321 with a double since being promoted to Single-A. He’s driven in three runs and scored four more.
Yhoiker Fajardo continues to show ridiculous potential. The right-handed pitcher tossed four scoreless innings. He gave up three hits and walked three batters, while striking out eight batters (tied for a season-high).
Fajardo has a 2.33 ERA, .206 BAA, and 1.09 WHIP in 15 appearances (13 starts) between the FCL and Single-A. The 18-year-old has 61 strikeouts compared to 21 walks in 58 innings.
Brady Tygart has returned from injury and looked fantastic. The right-handed pitcher didn’t allow a run (or even a hit) over 2 2/3 innings. He walked two batters and struck out five. Tygart has only pitched 7 1/3 innings this season, but holds a 0.00 ERA, .120 BAA, and 1.09 WHIP.
Jesus Travieso looked dominant in his lone start this week. The right-handed pitcher allowed two runs (none earned) on four hits over 4 2/3 innings. He struck out seven batters and only walked one.
Travieso has a 3.13 ERA, .228 BAA, and 1.35 WHIP in 16 appearances (14 starts) between the FCL and Single-A. The 18-year-old has 74 strikeouts compared to 29 walks in 54 2/3 innings.