Multiple questions ran through fans' minds when the Boston Red Sox selected Conrad Cason in the eighth round of the 2024 MLB Draft.
Would the Red Sox be able to persuade Cason to forgo college and jump to professional baseball? Will they allow him to continue being a two-way player? If so, does he stick at shortstop on the days he's not pitching?
Cason is an electric factory — that's one thing we do know. He's a prospect with plus abilities in the field, on the basepaths, in the batter's box, and on the mound.
It's uncertain what his role will be, but it's not impossible to envision him getting a chance to pitch and play shortstop in 2025. The Red Sox could have something special on their hands, so why not test the waters for a bit in the lower levels of the minor leagues? If they feel Cason isn't playing up to the right level, Boston can always have him transition to either just a pitcher or position player at some point in his career.
Red Sox two-way prospect Conrad Cason will be a must-watch in 2025
Explosive look at 2024 RHP Conrad Cason tonight.
— Ian Smith (@IanSmittyGA) April 9, 2024
Heavy 94-96 throughout, T98 🔥🔥
Low-80s SL offering short, tight break. Splitter at 81-84 w/ good glove-side tumble.
2️⃣0️⃣ whiffs, 12 K over 6.0 scoreless.@HailStateBB commit.@PrepBaseballGA // @ShooterHunt #GAHS24 pic.twitter.com/rdSIqcjObU
Even after a few trades this offseason, Boston's farm system is loaded. The Red Sox hold talent like Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, and Marcelo Mayer. They feature Jhostynxon Garcia, Johanfran Garcia, Hunter Dobbins, David Sandlin, Luis Perales, Miguel Bleis, Franklin Arias, Yoeilin Cespedes, and more. Still, Cason is poised to be the most electric to watch in 2025.
To be clear, that does not mean he will be the best prospect. Cason is an 18-year-old coming out of high school. He'll attempt to grow as a pitcher, shortstop, and hitter in 2025. To expect him to do all that and be the best prospect in a loaded system is foolish.
However, he can be the most entertaining. Imagine tuning into a Salem Red Sox game and seeing Cason hit high-90s on a fastball to strike someone out. That's cool. Then you watch the game the next day, and he's making a diving stop at shortstop and stealing a base. The next day, he hits a home run.
The possibilities are endless, and that's what makes him so fun. Cason can be an elite talent and turn into a top prospect. For now, we get the privilege of watching him grow as a pitcher, a hitter, a base runner, a shortstop, and whatever else is thrown his way.