The Boston Red Sox traded for Adley Rutschman at the deadline to solidify their plan at the catcher position over the next two seasons. Hopefully, that’s their catcher for longer if they can sign the All-Star to an extension.
The switch-hitting catcher is settling in nicely after some early struggles in a new uniform. He's logged five hits, including a double and a home run, and four RBI over eight games. He’s an elite defender and is coming back from an injury. Unsurprisingly, he’s taking a bit to find his footing in a new organization.
Rutschman is 28, though. That’s not old by any means, but catchers do tend to have shorter careers, and Rutschman has had multiple injuries in the past (appeared in just 90 games last season and has played in just 72 games at the time of writing this year).
So what’s the plan for life after Rutschman? That plan is clear, if you ask me. And he just had a big week.
No. 4 Red Sox prospect Franklin Primera wins Carolina League Player of the Week
Every Sox fan needs to know about Franklin Primera. The 19-year-old right-handed-hitting catcher has been otherworldly in 2026.
Starting the year in the FCL, Primera slashed .427/.511/.611 with 22 walks compared to 13 strikeouts in 32 games before being promoted to Single-A. Those numbers aren’t a mistake.
What’s terrifying is we haven’t seen a big drop-off in production since Primera joined the Salem RidgeYaks. He was awarded Carolina League Player of the Week after he went 9-for-19 with a double, a triple, and a home run. He drove in three runs, scored six, and stole one base. Primera drew five walks and only struck out once.
Congratulations Franklin Primera on being named the Carolina League Player of the Week!#YakAttack #GoYaks pic.twitter.com/NAegJEN0Id
— The Salem RidgeYaks (@RidgeYaks) August 17, 2026
In 33 games with Salem, Primera is slashing .333/.477/.538 with 10 doubles, one triple, and four home runs. He’s driven in 19 runs, scored 32, and stolen one base. Like in the FCL, he has more walks (20) than strikeouts (18).
Primera is only 19. He’s in Single-A and has played just over a month's worth of games at the level. Despite that, it’s easy to dream about the catcher and his potential. Last season, backstop was Boston’s weakest position in the minor leagues. It might have overcorrected a bit this offseason. That’s not a problem, but it has led to a bit of a logjam, especially in the lower levels.
We’ve seen Nate Baez, Johanfran Garcia, and Ronald Rosario all have to split time in Double-A. Meanwhile, Gerardo Rodriguez, Luke Heyman, and Ronny Hernandez are doing the same in High-A. In Single-A, Kleyver Salazar, Adonys Guzman, and Andruw Musett have all been fantastic. Salazar specifically has stood out to me. Despite all the talent, they’ve made sure to get Primera in the lineup five times a week since he’s been in Salem. It’s clear he’s a priority.
And why shouldn’t he be? Primera isn’t a typical teenage catcher. His offense is impressive. He rarely whiffs, doesn’t chase much, and has solid power for the position. Meanwhile, Primera is a prime defensive catcher. Before getting to Single-A, the reports were that he was great at blocking balls, athletic behind the dish, had a cannon, and was good with the pop times. After a few weeks with Salem, it’s apparent that the reports were true. Primera has been incredibly impressive defensively.
The Red Sox haven’t had a franchise catcher in a long time. Hopefully, Rutschman is in Boston for the foreseeable future, but having a homegrown talent to hand the keys to the kingdom to would be wonderful. Primera is setting himself up to be the heir apparent to Rutschman, and this week was a nice glimpse into the bonkers skillset of the Venezuelan backstop. Keep watching, because this is only the beginning.
Add us as a preferred source on Google