When we first started writing this, things were very positive. We talked about how the Boston Red Sox have gotten hot. They had won three straight series, including a three-game sweep of the New York Yankees.
Then the news hit like a ton of bricks. The Red Sox traded Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. It's hard to be too excited about the team trending up when the best hitter was shipped off for an underwhelming return.
However, we need to stay positive because this is all about the minor leagues. Luckily, this week's Boston Red Sox prospect watch had some more massive performances to try and distract us from whatever silliness is going on in the front office.
Let's try to get through this without crying.
Boston Red Sox Prospect Update: Johanfran Garcia, Blake Wehunt, Eduardo Rivera
Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A)
Tyler Uberstine had another fantastic start this week. The right-handed pitcher allowed four hits over six shutout innings. He struck out seven batters without walking any.
Uberstine has a 2.67 ERA, .237 BAA, and 1.11 WHIP in five appearances (four starts) since being promoted to Triple-A. The 26-year-old has 29 strikeouts and seven walks in 27 innings at the level.
Bryan Mata is having a hell of a month. The right-handed reliever didn't allow a run in 3 1/3 innings over two appearances. He allowed two hits and one walk while striking out four batters.
Mata has a 4.93 ERA, .270 batting average against, and a 1.73 WHIP in 19 appearances. He's struck out 53 batters to 22 walks in 34 2/3 innings. However, he's dominated in June with a 1.08 ERA, .103 BAA, and 0.84 WHIP in 8 1/3 innings.
Isaac Coffey has proven he's ready for Triple-A. The right-handed pitcher allowed one run on one hit in five innings. He struck out four batters while walking one.
Coffey has allowed two runs on five hits in 8 1/3 innings over his first two Triple-A starts. He tossed six scoreless (and hitless) innings in Double-A before moving up. The 24-year-old has 14 strikeouts compared to five walks in 14 1/3 innings this season.
Alex Hoppe has been phenomenal in June. The right-handed pitcher tossed four shutout innings over two appearances this week. He allowed three hits and no walks while striking out three batters.
Hoppe has a 4.35 ERA, .265 BAA, and 1.58 WHIP in 16 appearances between Double-A and Triple-A. He has 35 strikeouts compared to 18 walks in 31 innings. He hasn't allowed a run on just six hits in seven innings this month. He's racked up seven strikeouts compared to just one walk.
Jhostynxon Garcia hit two more home runs this week and drew six walks. The right-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .315/.378/.584 with four doubles, one triple, and six home runs since being promoted to Triple-A. He's driven in 13 runs and scored 16 more in 22 games.
Garcia continues to ascend into one of the best position player prospects in all of baseball. He's either going to be a fantastic trade piece or part of Boston's 2026 roster.
Portland Sea Dogs (Double-A)
Blake Wehunt had his most dominant performance in the minor leagues this week. The right-handed pitcher allowed one run on four hits over seven innings. He walked one batter and struck out a career-high 13.
Wehunt has a 3.81 ERA, .236 BAA, and 1.21 WHIP in 10 appearances (nine starts). The Chicken Farmer has 59 strikeouts compared to 17 walks in 49 2/3 innings.
Connelly Early had another big outing this week. The left-handed pitcher allowed three runs (just one earned) on six hits in five innings. He struck out eight batters compared to one walk.
Early has a 2.27 ERA, .205 BAA, and 1.21 WHIP in 10 appearances (seven starts). He has 66 strikeouts compared to 21 walks in 43 2/3 innings.
Early felt ready for a promotion, but with the addition of Kyle Harrison to the Worcester lineup, Early might have to wait a little longer.
Noah Song looks legit. The right-handed pitcher tossed four shutout innings over two appearances this week. He allowed three hits and no walks while striking out six batters.
Song has allowed zero runs on four hits in eight appearances over four levels this year. The 28-year-old has 18 strikeouts compared to three walks in 12 1/3 innings.
Yordanny Monegro had a scary moment this week. The right-handed pitcher left his start after just 1 1/3 innings. We didn't get to see exactly what happened, but the trainer and manager came out, and Monegro left with them immediately. He looked extremely upset. We'll keep our eyes and ears out for any updates.
Zach Ehrhard had a huge week, going 10-for-26 with three doubles and two home runs. The right-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .301/.411/.472 with 18 doubles and five home runs between High-A and Double-A.
Ehrhard has driven in 30 runs and scored 41 more. He's a perfect 16-for-16 on stolen base attempts. Ehrhard's emergence this year continues the great issue of having way too many outfielders.
Greenville Drive (High-A)
Eduardo Rivera continues to be a revelation for Greenville. The left-handed pitcher gave up one hit over 6 1/3 shutout innings this week. He walked two batters and struck out seven.
Rivera has a 1.64 ERA, .124 BAA, and 0.83 WHIP in nine appearances (five starts). He has 60 strikeouts compared to 16 walks in 38 1/3 innings. The 22-year-old looks more than ready for the call to Double-A.
Payton Tolle could also benefit from a promotion to Double-A in the near future. The left-handed pitcher allowed one run on three hits in five innings this week. He struck out eight batters compared to three walks.
Tolle has a 3.92 ERA, .232 BAA, and 1.19 WHIP in 10 appearances (nine starts). The TCU product has racked up 70 strikeouts compared to 13 walks in 43 2/3 innings.
Blake Aita made his High-A debut this week and was spectacular. The right-handed pitcher allowed one run on one hit over six innings. He struck out six batters compared to two walks.
Aita had some overpowering starts in Single-A, and considering he was a college pitcher, it makes sense that his stay with Salem wasn't long.
Johanfran Garcia is back and has made his High-A debut. In his first AB at the level, he ripped a single up middle. The right-handed hitting catcher went 4-for-13 (.308) with three walks (.471 OBP) in four games.
Garcia, 20, is already in High-A despite a tough injury and minimal work at Single-A. Clearly, the Red Sox are high on him, and he's proving why.
Salem Red Sox (Single-A)
Starlyn Nunez is riding a six-game hitting streak and swiped four bags this week. The switch-hitting infielder holds a .247/.320/.379 slash line with five doubles, two triples, and five home runs. He's driven in 33 runs, scored 28 more, and stolen 12 bases.
Nunez has been impressive this season and shown flashes of being a fantastic spark plug in a lineup that doesn't always feature a ton of firepower.
Yoeilin Cespedes hasn't dominated recently, but he does have a six-game hitting streak. The right-handed hitting infielder is slashing .240/.295/.403 with 12 doubles, four triples, and four home runs. He's driven in 28 runs, scored 24 more, and stolen four bases.
Cespedes could benefit from drawing more walks (17 in 217 plate appearances). However, the 19-year-old's power potential gives you a reason to let that slide for now.
Natanael Yuten continues to improve his overall numbers on the season. The left-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .262/.331/.396 with eight doubles, three triples, and two home runs. He's driven in 22 runs, scored 26 more, and stolen five bases.
Yuten is slashing .361/.425/.528 in June. The 20-year-old could be due for a promotion to High-A soon (although Greenville doesn't exactly need outfielders at the moment).
Austin Ehrlicher had the best start of his professional career on Sunday. The right-handed pitcher tossed five scoreless (and hitless) innings. He struck out seven batters while walking just one.
Ehrlicher has a 3.86 ERA, .222 BAA, and 1.43 WHIP in 11 appearances (seven starts). The 22-year-old has 35 strikeouts compared to 18 walks in 28 innings.