As we prepare for the season ahead, the Pitcher List staff will be creating profiles for every fantasy-relevant player for 2021. Players will be broken up by team and role through starting pitchers, bullpen, lineup, and prospects. You can access every article as it comes out in our Player Profiles 2021 hub here.
2020 was an awful year on many fronts.
From a Red Sox fan’s standpoint, we saw Mookie Betts play in white and blue and add to his ring collection. The pitching staff had the third-worst ERA (5.58) and were only ahead of the Colorado Rockies and rebuilding Detroit Tigers. You can point fingers towards the front office or management but some of it was just bad luck.
Chris Sale had Tommy John surgery in March and Eduardo Rodriquez battled COVID and myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart. However, they have the fourth overall pick in the summer’s draft so they should be adding another talented prospect to the club. The Red Sox farm system has improved in recent years. They are lead by two top-100 hitters, who should make their debuts in Fenway within the next two years. There are also some intriguing arms and more hitters that are close to contributing to the big league club.
Note: These Top 50 lists are all done through a fantasy baseball focused lens. Many players who are ranked higher or lower on other platforms will get a boost here. For example, players who profile as middle relievers or glove-first infielders likely won’t have much fantasy relevance, so they won’t be ranked as high.
1. Triston Casas, 1B
Age: 20
Highest Level: High-A
Even without a minor league season, Triston Casas has moved up the prospect ranks. He came into Spring Training about an inch taller and adding 10 lbs of muscle. The Red Sox were also one of the only teams to show games from the Alternate Site and Casas was extremely impressive. He was even more impressive when you find out the 20-year-old has only made it to High-A.
Casas is a natural hitter. His swing generates easy power to all fields. He easily has 70-grade raw power and there is a non-zero chance he will get to all of it in games in the near future. He chokes up on the bat in two-strike counts to make it easier to put the ball into play and reduce strikeouts. Casas is a future All-Star and will be mashing taters in Fenway within the next few seasons.
ETA: 2023
2. Jeter Downs, 2B
Age: 22
Highest Level: Double-A
Downs has moved between teams since being drafted by the Reds in 2018 but finally found his home as the second baseman of the future in Boston. He made a swing change after being traded to the Dodgers and it really worked for him. He was able to tap into more power but also was able to hit the ball to all fields. He has an advanced approach and bat control so strikeouts should not be a part of his game. While there is no outstanding tool, Downs brings you the whole package, and hitting in the Red Sox lineup should make him a fantasy star.
ETA: 2021
3. Tanner Houck, RHP
Age: 24
Highest Level: MLB
After dominating for Team USA and in the SEC in 2017, Tanner Houck was picked in the first round by the Red Sox. The team wasn’t thrilled with his delivery, arm slot, and pitch mix so they had him change pretty much everything before the 2018 season, including adding more of a four-seam approach.
After some pretty subpar results, they realized their mistake and let him return to his old ways at the end of the season. He began this year in the rotation but was transitioned to the bullpen in hopes that he could help the bullpen in Boston but it did not go well. He moved back to starting in the AFL and pitched pretty well, throwing 23.1 innings with a 2.70 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 26 strikeouts.
I had him pegged as a bullpen piece for the Red Sox, so I was shocked in his debut with the team this season. With the lack of starting pitching depth in the upper minors, he should remain a starter for the foreseeable future. He still has some work to do on improving his changeup and pitch sequencing. If he can keep up the gains he made this year, he will be a starter long-term. If not, he should be a dominating righty out of the pen.
ETA: Debuted
4. Jarren Duran, OF
Age: 24
Highest Level: Double-A
Even in a season in which no one played minor league baseball, Duran has moved up many a prospect list. He made a swing adjustment where he slightly brought his down and it has simplified his path to the ball. Not only that, but he has also unlocked some power. During his time at the Alternate Site, Duran smashed eight home runs in the course of six weeks. Take a look at this bomb from this summer.
https://gfycat.com/blissfuloddballherculesbeetle
Oh…and he also just won the MVP award of the LBPRC Final Series, which is equal to the World Series of the Liga Béisbol Profesional in Puerto Rico. Not only will Duran bring this newly found over-the-fence power but he also is an above-average baserunner with plus speed. In 2019, he stole 46 bags while only being caught 13 times. Duran should begin the 2021 season in Triple-A and could see time in Fenway in the second half of the year.
ETA: 2022
5. Noah Song, RHP
Age: 23
Highest Level: Low-A
Song is the most difficult prospect to rank. Most minor league players did not play ball this year. Some got some work in at the Alternate Site or Fall Instructs but Song spent his year in Navy Flight School. All teams knew of Song’s commitment to the Navy during the 2019 draft and that is why he fell to the fourth-round when his talent was easily first-round.
During his senior year, he had a 1.44 ERA, .92 WHIP, and went 11-1 in 94 innings. Song’s fastball sits in the mid-90s which he can both command well and get batters to swing and miss. His changeup and slider sit in the mid-80s and have the potential to be plus pitches. He also has a show-me curve which is below average. He can return to baseball in May 2021 but that timeline could still be up in the air. He has the potential to be a mid-rotation starter but could end up in the bullpen as well, just based on time missed.
ETA: 2024
6. Bryan Mata, RHP
Age: 21
Highest Level: Double-A
Mata returned from a rough 2018 season, where he underperformed and dealt with a back injury, to have a breakout 2019 campaign in which he got over the 100 IP mark for the first time in his career and his walk rate returned to pre-2018 levels of around 9%. He has four pitches: a mid-90s four-seam, a sinker that has reached the upper 90s, and a decent changeup and cutter.
His 2019 season was cut short as he dealt with a shoulder strain during the season and he missed some time this year due to a hamstring strain but returned for Fall Instructs. Command will probably be an issue but there are the makings of a starter here if the Red Sox pitching development can actually produce a pitcher. The worst-case scenario is Mata ends up in the bullpen but stuff should play up towards the back end or closer type.
ETA: 2021
7. Gilberto Jimenez, OF
Age: 20
Highest Level: Low-A
Gilberto Jimenez is a switch-hitting outfielder with true 80-grade speed. Reports have him around four seconds from home to first base from the left-hand side. However, his size (5’11’) and slap hitting approach put limits on how much power he will have. However, we are hearing that Jimenez was starting to drive the ball more in this year’s Fall Instructs, especially from the right side of the plate. Even though he stole fewer bases in 2019 vs 2018, with only 14 swipes, his efficiency greatly improved from 53% to 70%. His incredible bat-to-ball skills, hand-eye coordination, and above-average fielding should allow Jimenez to reach the majors sometime in his career.
ETA: 2023
8. Thaddeus Ward, RHP
Age: 23
Highest Level: High-A
Thad Ward performed well in 2019 with the help of a new cutter. In college, he was used heavily in a relief role but moved to the starting rotation after being drafted. There is still some risk he will end back in the bullpen but with his athleticism and added pitch, he is trending more towards a back-end starter. His best swing and miss pitch is probably his slider which he generally uses in two-strike counts.
He wasn’t invited to the Alternate Site (a surprising move in my opinion) but he used that time to continue to work on adding strength. He added a few ticks to his sinker during that time and looked great at Fall Instructs. He should begin the year in Double-A and maybe a call up towards the end of the season.
ETA: 2022
9. Bobby Dalbec, 1B
Age: 24
Highest Level: MLB
Bobby Dalbec made his debut last season and did what we all thought… which was smash home runs, eight of them in fact. However, he also had a 42.4K% and 21.2 SwStk% in 92 plate appearances which is (and this might be a Hot Take but) atrocious. There is still a bunch of questions on what Dalbec will untimely become. Will he end up like Michael Chavis or Mark Trumbo? It really could go any way. He should see most of the playing time at first base to start the 2020 season but his performance will dictate how long he will stay there.
ETA: Debuted
10. Connor Seabold, RHP
Age: 24
Highest Level: Double-A
Connor Seabold performed very well during his three years at Cal State Fullerton when the Philadelphia Phillies selected him in the third round of the 2017 draft. Seabold is what I like to call a small room prospect, meaning he has a low ceiling but also a high floor. Seabold throws a bunch of strikes and has the ability to command them well. His fastball sits in the mid-90s but an above-average changeup that is about ten MPH slower which, along with his arm slot, adds to the deception.
He has also developed a good cutter during his time in professional ball. Currently, he is a back-end, innings-eater type but could reach mid-rotation status. He will begin the 2021 season in Triple-A and with the lack of starting pitching depth at the majors, he could see some time at Fenway this summer. Not a bad get for half a season of Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree (Sorry Phillies fans).
ETA: 2021
11. Nick Yorke, 2B
Age: 18
Highest Level: Just drafted
In a move that surprised pretty much everyone in the baseball world, the Sox selected Nick Yorke with the 17th overall pick this summer. He profiles as a second baseman so he will have to continue to hit to make that profile work as he doesn’t have the defence of someone like Dustin Pedroia. During his junior year in high school, he had shoulder surgery and had to spend his senior season as a DH but the injury was nothing major, just a little clean-up procedure. He spent some time at the Alternate Site and hit very well, especially knowing he was facing some pretty advanced pitching.
ETA: 2024
12. Jay Groome, LHP
Age: 21
Highest Level: Low-A
Jay Groome was thought to be one of the most talented draft prospects in 2016 but fell to the Red Sox because of off-the-field concerns. However, we have not seen much of the electric talent from the southpaw as his career has been muddled with injuries. He returned late in the season from TJ to throw a few innings before making a couple of starts in the New York-Penn League playoffs.
Missing another year of game development has really set Groome back. He spent time at the Alternate Site as well as Fall Instructs and his stuff had really backed up during the fall. Was this due to fatigue or other factors? That will be something we will have to wait and see in 2021 as it will be another make it or break it year Groome.
ETA: 2023
13. Aldo Ramirez, RHP
Age: 19
Highest Level: Low-A
Since signing with the Red Sox in 2017, Aldo Ramirez has impressed with his ability to throw strikes against much older competition. His fastball sits in the mid-90s with an above-average curve and a developing changeup. At 6’0”, he is on the small-ish side but there are the makings of a back-end starter. Ramirez has been one of the youngest pitchers wherever he has been, even at Fall Instructs this season. Coaches were very impressed with his stuff, especially after missing all of the 2020 season. Due to his age and developing repertoire, he is a guy to watch in 2021.
ETA: 2023
14. Blaze Jordan, 1B/3B
Age: 18
Highest Level: Just drafted
The Red Sox did not have a second-round pick but made a splash with their third-round selection, Blaze Jordan. Jordan became a bit of an internet sensation when people caught a glimpse of his winning performance at the High School Home Run Derby in 2019.
Jordan easily has above-average raw power but there are still concerns about whether he will make enough contact for the power to play. He has a first baseman’s body and he will have to continue to produce to make it to the majors. He spent time at the Alternate Site and Fall Instructs and had difficulty with breaking balls and high velocity. Blaze could be a rising star or burn out in the minors.
ETA: 2023
15. Ryan Zeferjahn, RHP
Age: 22
Highest Level: Low-A
Picked in the third round this past June, Ryan Zeferjahn looks like a starter (6’5”, 225 lbs, fastball hits 98 MPH) but needs to work on his secondaries and control. With the lack of depth in Boston’s system, he will probably stay as a starter. However, his high effort delivery and amount of work that needs to be done probably indicate a transition to the pen. He participated in Fall Instructs and should begin the season in High-A.
ETA: 2022
16. Chris Murphy, LHP
Age: 21
Highest Level: Low-A
While in college, Chris Murphy missed bats but struggled with his control and the Red Sox picked him in the sixth round. He was assigned to Low-A and his control improved; in 33.1 IP, he struck out 34 batters to the tune of a 1.08 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. The 6’1” southpaw has an impressive four-pitch mix and a fastball that sits in the mid-90s. He also participated in Fall Instructs and was working on his slider but his stuff was not as electric as it had been in 2019. I’ll give him a mulligan for this year. We all deserve one for 2020. If Murphy can keep his walks under control, he profiles as a mid-rotation starter. If not, there are worse things than a middle reliever.
ETA: 2023
17. Jeisson Rosario, OF
Age: 21
Highest Level: High-A
Jeisson Rosario has a patient approach at the plate and makes a bunch of contact but the lack of power will limit him to a fourth outfielder role. However, if he adds some strength and ditches his slap-happy swing, his speed and defence could make him a second-division regular. He participated in Fall Instructs and performed well enough to be added to the 40-man roster this winter.
ETA: 2023
18. Brainer Bonaci, SS
Age: 18
Highest Level: Rookie
Bonaci is a switch-hitting shortstop with a surprising amount of pop for a 5’10” guy. He spent all of 2019 in the DSL and showed off his patient approach and excellent contact skills. He should be able to stick at the position due to his arm and range. During Fall Instructs, scouts were very impressed with his tools and thought he was the best of the young shortstops at the camp. He should begin the season in Low-A and could quickly move up lists.
ETA: 2024
19. Matthew Lugo, SS
Age: 19
Highest Level: Low-A
None of Carlos Beltran’s nephew’s tools light up the scouting report but Lugo is good at everything and should be able to stick at short. Because he is so young, there is a non-zero chance Lugo turns into an everyday guy at short but he has some work to reach that level. During Fall Instructs, scouts indicated that Lugo had regressed a bit athletically but I still believe in the talent. He should begin the season at High-A but will need to show something in 2021.
ETA: 2024
20. Hudson Potts, 3B
Age: 22
Highest Level: Double-A
When the San Diego Padres selected Potts with the 24th overall selection, they were banking on the raw tools, especially his raw power. He quickly moved through the system but hit a wall when he got to Double-A. He has an aggressive approach and his swing and miss issues within the zone are quite concerning. Drafted as a shortstop, he has shifted over to the hot corner and plays it extremely well. Potts has a lot to work on when it comes to his approach and swing mechanics for him to become a regular in the major leagues.
ETA: 2023
21. Connor Wong, C
Age: 24
Highest Level: Double-A
Wong is a versatile player and has played everywhere in the field but has primarily been a catcher in his professional career. Wong has the ability to hit the ball to all fields but is very aggressive in the box which has to lead to some strikeout issues. While he might have seen time in the bigs with the Dodgers, he should make it to the majors with the Sox as the catching depth with the team is very poor. I could see him in a backup role and maybe getting some time around the infield.
ETA: 2022
22. Nick Decker, OF
Age: 21
Highest Level: Low-A
In his first full season as a pro, Decker had a pretty good debut in Low-A, showing off his above-average power with six home runs and ten doubles. However, he will need to cut down on those strikeouts; almost 30% is not sustainable for success. The platoon splits (he cannot hit lefties) is quite concerning and had not improved while at Fall Instructs. That being said, he still has enough pop to be a major league player and would fit in nicely in a platoon role.
ETA: 2023
23. Jacob Wallace, RHP
Age: 22
Highest Level: Low-A
Wallace is a reliever and could move quickly through the Red Sox system. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and a very sharp slider that generates massive whiffs. He has a show-me changeup but he rarely uses the pitch. His delivery is an exceedingly high effort but the three-quarters arm slot plus long arm action adds to the deception. He should begin the season in High-A and if everything goes well could find himself in the Red Sox bullpen by 2022.
ETA: 2022
24. Shane Drohan, LHP
Age: 21
Highest Level: Drafted 2020
Shane Drohan was selected in the fifth round of this past summer’s draft. During his time at Florida State, he moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation but his command was a big issue. It improved during his junior and senior season but his inconsistency could move him back to the bullpen in professional baseball. Drohan has a sinking low-nineties fastball with a mid-80s changeup. He uses his curveball mainly against lefties but will have to add another offering (along with command) to become an effective starter.
ETA: 2024
25. Chih-Jung Liu, RHP
Age: 21
Highest Level: Drafted 2020
In a surprising move last fall, the Red Sox signed Liu after he performed well in the Premier12 tournament. He was pitching in a relief role with a fastball/slider and a curve he mixes in occasionally. However, his stuff did not look good at all and velocity was down during Fall Instructs. He gets a mulligan due to 2020 but could fall off the list if the 2019 stuff does not return.
ETA: 2024
26. Eduardo Lopez, OF
Age: 18
Highest Level: Rookie
Lopez was the biggest J2 signing the Red Sox made in 2018. He is a switch-hitter with a good feel for the zone, especially being such a young player. Scouts have loved his instincts and there is room for the hit tool to be average or plus. During the Fall Instructs, he displayed his above-average plate discipline but his inconsistent swing was concerning. There is still a lot to like in the profile and he should begin the season in Low-A
ETA: 2024
27. Eduard Bazardo, RHP
Age: 25
Highest Level: Double-A
Bazardo moved to the pen exclusively in 2019 and SwStk% and ERA held firm. Prior to being added to the 40 Man this winter, Bazardo was one of the better pitchers at fall instructs. His fastball is now in the mid-nineties with even more spin on his curveball. He has never had an issue with limiting walks but his command was really on point this fall. He should begin the season in Triple-A and see Fenway by the summer.
ETA: 2021
28. Brayan Bello, RHP
Age: 21
Highest Level: Low-A
Despite hurling more than double the number of innings in 2018, Bello was better in the second half of the season and even hit the high 90s at times. The right-hander is still on the bit of the skinny side (6’1” and 170 lbs) so expect him to add some needed weight. During Fall Instructs, Bello was sitting in the mid-90s with a plus changeup and a slightly below-average slider. If he is able to develop that slider a bit more, we are looking at a back-end starter. If not, his stuff would most definitely play up in the bullpen.
ETA: 2022
29. Kutter Crawford, RHP
Age: 24
Highest Level: Double-A
Crawford performed well in High-A and Double-A this season. But after having Tommy John in late October 2019, he is currently making his way back to the mound but did not pitch during Fall Instructs. Due to his high-stress delivery and strikeout stuff, it looks like he will transition to the pen.
ETA:
30. Jonathan Araúz, 2B/SS
Age: 22
Highest Level: Debuted
The Red Sox selected Arauz in the Rule 5 draft last offseason. I thought at the time that Arauz was a bit of an interesting pick because the glove was ready for the majors but the bat surely was not. Well, I will say that I was wrong. I thought the bat would have been knocked out of his hands but was able to stick with the team all year. It would have been interesting to see what his path would have been if the rosters were smaller and/or the Sox were competing. He still has some work to do and will head to Triple-A to begin the 2021 season and projects to be a bench/utility middle infield option.
ETA: 2021
31. Garrett Whitlock, RHP
Age: 24
Highest Level: Double-A
After battling food poisoning and a back strain that cost him most of his sophomore year at school, the Yankees took a flyer on the draft-eligible sophomore in the 18th round of the 2017 draft. Whitlock has a three-pitch mix. His two-seam has a heavy sink and generates a bunch of groundballs. He pairs it with a slurvy slider and it plays up due to the amount of extension he gets on delivery.
He also has a show-me pitch but it needs a bit more work for it to become a useful offering. Whitlock had Tommy John in 2019, which cost him half of the season, and was selected by the Red Sox in the Rule 5 draft this past December. He will probably stick with the club in the spot-starter/long-man role.
ETA: 2021
32. Andrew Politi, RHP
Age: 24
Highest Level: High-A
Politi was moved from the pen to a starting role this season and it went surprisingly well. He has a pretty deceptive delivery with an above-average slider and developing changeup. His mechanics are very max-effort so he might struggle with injuries during his career. He has the stuff to be an electric starter but command and durability will force him into a multi-inning relief role. He should begin the season in Double-A
ETA: 2022
33. Pedro Castellanos, 1B
Age: 23
Highest Level: High-A
Castellanos has always frustrated me. He has plenty of raw power but has never been able to translate it into game power. He has been able to be above league average at every stop but at the age of 22, he is probably just organizational depth at this point.
ETA: 2022
34. Christian Koss, 2B/SS
Age: 22
Highest Level: Rookie
Koss was one of the best players in the Pioneer League in 2019 where he slashed .332/.447/.605 but he was old for the level. He is patient at the plate and made a swing adjustment after being drafted that helped him make better contact. He profiles as a bench/utility infielder type and should begin the season in High-A. He will need to continue to perform well, especially in a more age-appropriate, less hitter-friendly league.
ETA: 2022
35. Durbin Feltman, RHP
Age: 23
Highest Level: Double-A
Feltman was thought to be the closer of the future in Boston after being drafted in the third round in 2018. His first couple of stops in professional ball were great but this season was just a mess. He spent 2019 in Double-A where he was still striking out guys but lost all command. He put in the work need as he looked like the Feltman of old during Fall Instructs. His velocity got back to 2018 levels and the movement on his slider returned as well. If the gains remain in 2021, he moves back into the late-inning relief role.
ETA: 2022
36. Ceddanne Rafaela, 3B/2B/SS
Age: 20
Highest Level: Low-A
A sneaky player that can play around the infield with great contact skills. He hit a surprising six home runs in 41 games in the GCL despite being only 5’8”. He is a possible super-utility player in the majors.
ETA: 2023
37. Jorge Rodriguez, LHP
Age: 20
Highest Level: Low-A
Since being drafted in 2017, Rodriguez has put up some pretty interesting numbers. He struck out 58 batters in 47 innings in the GCL before being promoted to Low-A. However, he is on the shorter side (5’11”) and does not have overpowering velocity (FB sits in the high-eighties). If, and it is a big if, he can get some velocity, there might be a starter here but he might have to move to the pen.
ETA: 2023
38. Brandon Howlett, 1B
Age: 21
Highest Level: Low-A
The Red Sox took Howlett in the 21st round and in a surprising move, Howlett forwent his Florida State commitment and signed. Other than his 39 games in the GCL, Howlett has struggled and shown he has a long way to go developmentally. Lucky for him, the Red Sox are pretty good at developing hitters. However, 2021 will be a big test for him.
ETA: 2023
39. Marcus Wilson, OF
Age: 24
Highest Level: Double-A
Wilson came over from the Diamondbacks last season for Blake Swihart. He performed well in High-A and got a taste of AA where his average ticked back down. There will always be swing and miss in his game but he has a bit of pop. He spent the last couple of weeks at the Alternate Site and was going to play winter ball in Mexico before a COVID outbreak had him think otherwise. He should begin the 2021 season in Triple-A and is an injury away from making his debut.
ETA: 2021
40. Miguel Bleis, OF
Age: 16
Highest Level: N/A
The 2020 International Signing period was pushed to January 2021 due to COVID but the Sox landed one of the top prospects in the class. The 16-year-old is already 6’2″ and 170 lbs. with plenty of room to add to his frame. He received a $1.8 million signing bonus, which is easily one of the highest bonuses the team has given out in recent years. Bleis, according to Baseball America, is one of the best athletes in the class with above-average power to all fields. He has a long road with plenty of development ahead of him, but he is exciting nonetheless.
ETA: 2025
41. Eduardo Vaughn, OF
Age: 18
Highest Level: Rookie
Vaughan was one of the top prospects in Panama before being signed by the Sox in July 2018. At 6’3” and 185 lbs, there is a bunch of potential power here, especially if he adds some muscle.
ETA: 2024
42. Bryan Gonzalez, OF
Age: 19
Highest Level: Rookie
Very young and super far away, Gonzalez has the potential to be a middle of the order bat that plays in a corner. He participated in Fall Instructs but struggled against more advanced right-handed pitching. It is something he will have to address or his projection moves towards a platoon bat.
ETA: 2024
43. Darel Belen, OF
Age: 20
Highest Level: Rookie
Belen signed with the Red Sox in February 2019, which is pretty late for an international signing. Belen is already 19 but at 6’4” and 195 lbs, there is a lot to like in the frame. He performed well in the DSL, hitting .281/.370/.430 with five home runs and 11 doubles. Enough stuff to keep your eye on going forward.
ETA: 2023
44. Juan Chacon, OF
Age: 18
Highest Level: N/A
Chacon received the highest international signing bonus from the Red Sox in July 2019. The 17-year-old is a very lanky 6’2” that has the potential to be an everyday player. He has a long way to go, though.
ETA: 2024
45. Cameron Cannon, SS
Age: 23
Highest Level: Low-A
Cameron Cannon performed well in college so there is still hope the performance will come around. He lacks a true position as he cannot stick at short. He is an aggressive hitter and he can get into pitchers counts early. He has a choppy swing and very direct to the ball. He and the team are working on improving his swing but he hasn’t looked great at either of the past two Fall Instructs.
ETA: 2023
46. Bradley Blalock, RHP
Age: 20
Highest Level: Rookie
Drafted in the 32nd round in 2019 and pitched in four games before workload concerns finished his season. The righty is tall and lean with plenty of room to add some good weight. His fastball and slider were a great one-two offering with a low-80s looping curveball. He was the youngest pitcher at the Alternate Site this summer and scouts were impressed with the work he had done since 2019 and his demeanor on the mound. He still has a long way to go and there is a 50-50 shot if he remains a starter or moves to the pen. A guy to keep your eye on.
ETA: 2023
47. Nick Northcut, 3B/1B
Age: 21
Highest Level: Low-A
Northcut was a two-way player when the Red Sox picked him up in the 11th round back in 2018. He stuck on the dirt but had trouble during his first few years in professional ball. He will need to show improvement this year or he will quickly be off this list.
ETA: 2022
48. Luis Perales, RHP
Age: 18
Highest Level: N/A
Perales was signed in July 2019 and his fastball was reportedly up to 95 with some late arm side run. If he puts on some good weight, we might have an interesting starter but he has a long way to go.
ETA: 2023
49. Brock Bell, RHP
Age: 22
Highest Level: Low-A
The 6’4” righty was drafted in the ninth round of the 2019 June draft after he did not pitch much in college and had Tommy John surgery during his sophomore year. His fastball sits in the mid-90s with an above-average curve. He struggled with command during Fall Instructs which caps his ceiling as a reliever but with so little mileage, you never know.
ETA: 2022
50. Brendan Cellucci, LHP
Age: 22
Highest Level: Low-A
Cellucci was drafted in the 12th round out of Tulane as a draft-eligible sophomore. He was the closer for Tulane and profiles as a middle innings reliever. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and his slider has a load of spin and looked really good during Fall Instructs.
ETA: 2022