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To say this current offseason has been eventful would be an understatement. Coming off a disappointing 2019, having not made the playoffs following a World Series Championship 2018 season, Red Sox Nation is looking for the tide to turn and the franchise to get back to its winning ways. Dave Dombrowski was fired in early September, new Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom was hired in late October, and the organization is currently under investigation stemming from alleged wrongdoings in the 2018 season and World Series, while the Sox and Alex Cora have “mutually parted ways.” So with all this happening in the front office, what’s the state of the farm system? Good question!

Boston’s farm has easily in the bottom third of all MLB organizations over the last couple years. Here’s to hoping it’s going to get back on track with Bloom at the helm. He has a track record of building a strong minor league system (Tampa Bay Rays), and the same is now expected to get done in Boston. Many New Englanders are waiting for the shoe to drop and Mookie Betts and/or David Price to be traded to bring in some quality prospects. The jury is still out on Dombrowski’s last couple of MLB Drafts for the Red Sox, so now all eyes will be on Bloom this June and July to see what kind of picks he makes and if there’s any sort of splash in international J2 signings.

Scott Greene and Ben Wilson each ranked their top 50 Red Sox prospects (51 actually), and then carefully blended their two lists into one better list, tweaking some players up and down until the consensus Top 50 order you have here was finalized. (SG) or (BW) before each player blurb signifies who wrote up that specific player. They’ve also added “The Next 11” at the end because, well, just because. There are even more names that didn’t make the cut which we’ll probably want to revisit in the coming months. So let us know what you think. Who’s too high; too low? Anyone not on this list that should be? Comment below or hit us up on Twitter, @Scotty_Ballgame and @TBDubbs11. Enjoy!

This column has been updated to reflect Brusdar Graterol coming off this list (as he goes to Los Angeles now and not Boston in the trade), and Jeter Downs/Connor Wong have been added to this list, as of 2.10.20.



Prospects1500 Tiers:

Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years

Tier 2: Players with an above average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor

Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor

Tier 4: Players who have the potential of making the majors, or have a high likelihood of making the majors, but providing minimal impact (e.g. middle reliever, low-ceiling UT guys)

Tier 5: Players who are worth keeping an eye on, but likely to never make a team’s 40-man roster



Tier 1

1. Triston Casas, 1B (’19 Midseason #1)

Age: 20

2019 Highest Level: A+ Salem (2 games)

(SG) If Casas lives up to my #boldpredictions jump into the Top 50 overall prospects range, then this Tier 1 ranking makes sense. If not there’s an argument that could be made that he’s a Tier 2 prospect. Regardless, Casas is Boston’s #1 prospect. His ceiling just might be a .250-.260 hitter, but the power is his calling card. 19 HR at Class-A Greenville in 118 games is promising, and that could turn into a 25-30 HR bat at the major league level with some additional growth in the minors. Look for this 1st round pick (2018) to spend a good portion of the year in High-A Salem with the outside shot of being promoted to Double-A Portland after the All-Star break.

Triston Casas is huge. Red Sox first rounder in 2018 pic.twitter.com/mA9Li3jZTT — Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) February 21, 2019





Tier 2

2. Jeter Downs, 2B/SS (was #6 on Dodgers Top 50)

Age: 21

Highest 2019 level: AA (Tulsa)

There is a good debate for Casas and Downs for the current top spot in the system. Downs gets the edge defensively for profiling up the middle even if his defense peaks as average. The hit tool and speed are more developed for Downs and he has performed in the high minors. Our bet is on Downs ending up as a very solid major league 2B who will be a table setter with OBP, speed, and some pop for many years in the Boston lineup, whereas we can dream on Casas as the middle of the order run producer. However you rank them, these two have the potential to be the 2-3 hitters in the lineup for the Red Sox offense at their peak.

Downs was acquired with Connor Wong in the trade for Mookie Betts and David Price. Downs has some elite upside, evident from his 134 wRC+ in High-A and his 207 wRC+, albeit in a small sample size, in Double-A. Across both levels in 2019, Downs crushed 24 homers and stole 24 bags to go along with a solid .276/.362/.526 slash line. If he can develop into a 30/10 type middle infielder with some OBP potential, that will play. (Daniel Preciado)

3. Bobby Dalbec, 3B (’19 Midseason #2)

Age: 24

2019 Highest Level: AAA Pawtucket

(SG) Mark it down. Dalbec will reach the majors this season. Whether or not he breaks camp with the big leaguers is still to be determined (and they don’t have to rush him), but after his solid 2019, the time is now. Boston’s front office currently has Dalbec (and 11 other prospects) going through their Rookie Development Program. If there’s a chance at seeing MLB time, the Sox will usually include you in this week long program that includes training and seminars to get players ready for major league life. If there’s one concern it’s his swing and miss, but 2019 actually saw his K% (24.7%) drop, down from 32.4% in 2018. This is a potential 40+ HR, middle of the order bat. The question is, with Devers at 3B, and Chavis at 1B (and Casas) coming, where does Dalbec fit?

4. Gilberto Jimenez, OF (’19 Midseason #5)

Age: 19

2019 Highest Level: A- Lowell

(SG) Currently one of my favorite prospects in this farm system, Jimenez came in at #2 ahead of Dalbec on my personal list. Ben had Dalbec 2 and Jimenez 3 and we debated for about 30 seconds and gave the edge on this list to Dalbec because of proximity to the majors and ability to contribute to your dynasty team sooner than later. Having said all that, Gilberto (pronounced heel-BARE-toe) has some exciting tools and could be a top-of-the-order hitter in the big leagues sometime within the next few years if he continues doing what he did in 2019. I personally saw him smash two liners into the gaps at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, CT and wind up with two easy triples. He looked like a gazelle going from 1st to 3rd. Let’s see what he does at Class-A Greenville this Spring before anointing him my next big prospect crush, but slashing .359/.393/.470/.863 with 14 SB as an 18 year old in the New York-Penn League is exciting.

#Spinners OF Gilberto Jimenez named Budweiser Player of the Week. #RedSox No. 8 prospect extended his hitting streak to 7 games going 15-for-28 (.536) with 4 doubles, 2 triples and 2 RBI’s. #GatorUp🐊 pic.twitter.com/jqq5KD3ibF — Lowell Spinners (@LowellSpinners) August 14, 2019

5. Bryan Mata, RHP (’19 Midseason #4)

Age: 20

2019 Highest Level: AA Portland/AFL

(SG) Mata dropped to 11th on my preseason Sox Top 50 last January following a season in which he had a lot of control issues at High-A Salem, where he walked 7.3 per 9. He completely turned things around during the first half of 2019 in Salem, dropping that BB/9 to 3.2 and earned a promotion to AA Portland, where he did struggle against better hitters. He could spend most of, if not all, of 2020 at Double-A and projects to be a 4/5 starter, although if Boston’s bullpen woes continue, don’t be surprised to see him converted to the bullpen much like they did with Darwinzon Hernandez.

6. Jay Groome, LHP (’19 Midseason #11)

Age: 21

2019 Highest Level: A- Lowell

(SG) As stated in our New Year’s prospect wishes column, I really hope to see Groome healthy and back to form in 2020. The former 1st round pick has virtually lost the last two seasons to injury. A late season return to the mound for Lowell has Red Sox Nation crossing their fingers we finally get to see the lefty’s potential this year, likely in Salem (where he ended 2017 before injury) but hopefully in Double-A Portland.

7. Jarren Duran, OF (’19 Midseason #3)

Age: 23

2019 Highest Level: AA Portland/AFL

(SG) I keep reaching out to Bowman Scout @Jaypers413 to push Duran because that’s one 1st Bowman autograph card I need to add to my collection, and it hasn’t happened yet! Unless you count the Gary Vaynerchuk Direct 360 set Topps put out last year, Duran did have a card in that product. Fingers crossed the real 1st Bowman happens in 2020. On the field Duran killed it early in the season in Salem (.387/.456/.543/.998, 13 2B, 4 HR, 18 SB), was promoted to Portland, and then spent time in Peoria this past Fall as part of the Red Sox contingent in the Arizona Fall League. The 2018 7th round pick also played in the Futures Game this past summer in Cleveland. More and more are becoming familiar with Duran, and aside from having very little pop in his bat, he can be a contact/gap hitter that steals 30-40 bags a year, if not more. Some in the industry are a bit down on him following a mediocre AFL, but not this fan.

Back at DDP for Thursday Night #MiLB and @GoYardGoats hosting @PortlandSeaDogs. #RedSox prospect Jarren Duran leading off again tonight. Rips a second pitch single up the middle to start the game. pic.twitter.com/GTyNYiJpw4 — Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame) August 15, 2019

8. Thad Ward, RHP (’19 Midseason #17)

Age: 23

2019 Highest Level: A+ Salem

(SG) Ward is really flying under the radar on a lot of industry prospect lists, primarily because he didn’t have a big wow pro debut in 2018 Lowell. But this past season in A/A+ ball he showed exactly why he was Boston’s 5th round pick back in June 2018. 157 K in 126.1 IP (11.2 K/9) will do that, and to sport a 2.78 ERA across those two levels is very impressive. Don’t look for Ward to be transitioned to the bullpen anytime soon as the Sox like what they have right now in this righty SP. Expect him to begin 2020 in Salem but it shouldn’t be long before a promotion to Double-A is being talked about.

9. Tanner Houck, RHP (’19 Midseason #6)

Age: 23

2019 Highest Level: AAA Pawtucket/AFL

(BW) There was a glimmer of hope that Houck would make his big league debut in 2019 as a reliever; but when the Sox fell out of the race, Houck began the process of being stretched out again during AFL and then the Premier 12 tournament. Houck will most likely end up as a reliever, but his competitiveness will play in any role and it’s hard to deny that he’s had a great run developmentally as a starter to close out this season.

10. C.J. Chatham, SS/2B (’19 Midseason #14)

Age: 25

2019 Highest Level: AAA Pawtucket/AFL

(BW) Chatham boosted his prospect stock considerably with a 2019 season that saw him play in both AA and AAA, as well as the AFL and Premier 12 tournament. Added to the 40-man roster, Chatham may be the next man up in the middle infield should offseason signee Jose Peraza falter. Chatham’s ability to play SS with a strong throwing arm, and favorable platoon splits against LHP, should help carve out a role in 2020 between AAA and MLB for the cost saving Red Sox.

11. Matthew Lugo, SS (’19 Midseason #8)

Age: 18

2019 Highest Level: A- Lowell

(SG) One of Boston’s two 2nd round MLB Draft picks in 2019, Lugo seems to be the one with a little more upside at this early stage of the game. He didn’t have the hottest start to his pro career in the Gulf Coast rookie league (.257/.342/.331, 1 HR, 12 RBI in 39 games), but was given a taste of NYPL Short Season ball to end the season and went 2-8 in two games. The Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy player should get some more time in the GCL for the first half and then be up in Lowell when Short Season begins in June.

12. Noah Song, RHP (’19 Midseason #7)

Age: 22

2019 Highest Level: A- Lowell

(BW) The roller coaster of the two year Naval Academy commitment is unofficial still, but the latest at the time of writing is that deferred service would likely not be granted. That said, Song absolutely dazzled in the latest Premier 12 tournament, itself a showcase of his talent as well as a delaying tactic for his military reporting as an Olympic qualifying event. Song demonstrated nasty swing-and-miss stuff with excellent command. If Song is able to continue to pitch and deferment is granted, he’s a top 5 prospect in the system; but for now, a looming two year hiatus would destine him to a likely bullpen ceiling, albeit with potential impact. Song today looks like a future big league pitcher with mid rotation upside or possibly more, and he has the makeup to get there regardless of what his path might be.



Tier 3

13. Cameron Cannon, SS (’19 Midseason #13)

Age: 22

2019 Highest Level: A- Lowell

(BW) Cannon was the Sox first selection this past year (2nd round) after strong offensive showings both collegiately at Arizona and on the Cape, and his highly aggressive plate approach produced some struggles in his first professional taste. However, there’s plenty to like with Cannon’s bat, which should lift him to a future as a bat first second baseman.

14. Connor Wong, C (was #16 on Dodgers Top 50)

Age: 23

Highest 2019 level: AA (Tulsa)

Acquired with Downs for Betts & Price. Wong is a good catching prospect, easily now the best backstop prospect in Boston’s farm system. Dodgers correspondent Daniel Preciado says his potential is undeniable. The backstop straight up crushed at Tulsa in 2019 after having a solid gig at Rancho Cucamonga. He strikes out way too much to be considered an elite fantasy prospect at this juncture, but his power/speed combination is nice. He crushed 24 homers and stole 11 bases in 111 games in 2019.

15. Nick Decker, OF (’19 Midseason #9)

Age: 20

2019 Highest Level: A- Lowell

(BW) Decker had a very nice season for Lowell and flashed a good mix of power and speed. He’ll end up as a corner outfielder with some thump and overall average tools across the board, which is a great outcome for the former 2nd rounder.

16. Chris Murphy, LHP (’19 Midseason #28)

Age: 21

2019 Highest Level: A- Lowell

(BW) Murphy looks like an excellent find for the Red Sox in the 6th round of the 2019 draft, and promptly declared himself as a lefty who could stick in the rotation with a four-pitch mix during his impressive debut in Lowell. Murphy has a good sized frame for durability which helps him get the fastball touching 95. Consistency in the delivery will dictate his control and command ceiling, but Murphy is a favorite to miss bats at the highest level in a multi-inning capacity.

17. Brayan Bello, RHP (’19 Midseason #18)

Age: 20

2019 Highest Level: A Greenville

(SG) Up a few spots from where we had him ranked midseason, Bello (pronounced BAY-oh) has been on my radar since his 2018 time in the GCL, and then they decided to have him start 2019 in Class-A Greenville, completely skipping over Low-A ball. He earned Prospect of the Week back in early July with a 6 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 13 K performance, although he often struggled during a season that saw him put up a 5.43 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. I called for many to click that “watch player” option in your dynasty leagues for Bello back in July, and I’m still going to head up his follower train. Others in the industry are starting to notice him, although I may rank him higher than most right now. I believe.

18. Ryan Zeferjahn, RHP (’19 Midseason #19)

Age: 21

2019 Highest Level: A- Lowell

(BW) The 6’5″ righty was the Sox 3rd rounder this past year out of Kansas, and the righty could profile as a mid rotation starter if the secondaries develop. At present, Zeferjahn can miss plenty of bats with a big fastball, but hitters can spit on offspeed and so we see a higher yielding of hits in the early going. Zeferjahn is a great athlete and should be an exciting one to track his development, and could move pretty quickly depending on their intentions with him.

19. Marcus Wilson, OF (’19 Midseason #23)

Age: 23

2019 Highest Level: AA Portland/AFL

(BW) Wilson had a season that set things moving in the right direction after coming over from the Diamondbacks. A brief reset in Salem helped build confidence and he put together a good season in Portland before finishing strong in the AFL. Wilson showed over the fence power with 18 HR and also stole 13 bases, culminating with a .333/.412/.467 slash in 30 AFL at bats. Wilson may wind up as a second division regular; but to get there, he’s going to have to lower the nearly 35% K rate and boost his platoon split against lefties to help his chances in sticking even as a 4th OF.

20. Brandon Howlett, 3B (’19 Midseason #16)

Age: 20

2019 Highest Level: A Greenville

(BW) Howlett had a solid developmental season on the younger side in Greenville that saw him reach base at a .341 clip and flash some power. He has the upside of an everyday 3B who can deliver on hit/power expected for the position, and a higher likelihood of reaching his ceiling with good plate approach and positive clubhouse presence.

21. Durbin Feltman, RHP (’19 Midseason #12)

Age: 22

2019 Highest Level: AA Portland

(BW) Feltman came into 2019 with some buzz that he could make an impact in Boston; however, the young righty spent the full season in AA Portland. Feltman pitched solidly outside of a touch stretch in May which likely stalled that lofty goal, and he still has the makings of a late inning arm for the Red Sox with a high octane fastball-slider combo.

22. Aldo Ramirez, RHP (’19 Midseason #36)

Age: 18

2019 Highest Level: A- Lowell

(BW) One of the most exciting arms on the 2019 Lowell roster, Ramirez showed a great deal of potential with a mix of deception and arsenal: a low to mid 90’s fastball and two potential average to plus secondaries in the curve and changeup. The 18 year old Ramirez isn’t overly physical yet but could stick in the rotation, and he’s consistently set hitters down as a professional while often being one of the youngest at each stop.

23. Chih-Jung Liu, RHP/SS (’19 Midseason: NR)

Age: 20

2019 Highest Level: NA

(BW) While there are some unknowns, the 20 year old two-way player out of Taiwan seems like a really exciting pickup for the Red Sox system. On the mound, where Liu likely will make his biggest impact, he is an impressive athlete with a fluid delivery that has reportedly touched 98 with a tight vertical slider with late break. He is also a switch hitter with some hit tool and loft in the swing. I can’t wait to see Liu stateside and ultimately how the organization will develop him.



Tier 4

24. Antoni Flores, SS (’19 Midseason #10)

Age: 19

2019 Highest Level: A- Lowell

(BW) Flores didn’t hit above .200 in 55 G in Lowell, but did show good patience and on base ability. While the stock is down, Flores has enough projection with his toolset to keep the optimism alive as a future big league regular. He’ll likely repeat at Lowell, and still is around an early college age, but this will be an important year for Flores to take steps forward with the hit and power departments.

25. Danny Diaz, 3B/1B (’19 Midseason #15)

Age: 19

2019 Highest Level: Rookie (GCL/DSL)

(BW) Diaz, like his 2017 J2 classmate Flores, took a step back in the rankings in 2019. Diaz is a big bodied corner infielder who profiles as a power first hitter, and likely will join Flores on the left side of the infield in Lowell upcoming in 2020.

26. Ceddanne Rafaela, IF (’19 Midseason #57)

Age: 19

2019 Highest Level: A- Lowell

(SG) The Curacao native, Ceddanne Chipper Nicasio Marte Rafaela, is another name you might find moving up Red Sox prospect lists this year. Not shooting up with bullets, but steadily. At number 57 back in our July list, a 33 spot jump is impressive. Even though he only hit .248 in 176 plate appearances in Rookie ball, his K% wasn’t horrible at 15.9%. Got in 3 games for Lowell at the end of the season so look for more GCL and NYPL action for the 19 year old this season.

27. Eduardo Lopez, OF (’19 Midseason #40)

Age: 17

2019 Highest Level: Rookie (DSL)

(BW) The switch hitting center fielder is an instinctual player with some feel to hit from both sides of the plate. Lopez came with some pedigree from the 2018 J2 class and can develop into an all around contributor offensively, while his body projection will dictate whether he’s able to stick in center.

28. Jorge Rodriguez, LHP (’19 Midseason: NR)

Age: 19

2019 Highest Level: A- Lowell

(BW) The Mexican lefty fared very well in the GCL, racking up 58 K in 47 IP while only surrendering 35 H and 9 BB, which earned him a promotion to Lowell for a one game stint at the end of the season. While he’s not overly physical, his ability to control the three pitch mix and pitchability suggests a big league future.

29. Yusniel Padron-Artilles, RHP (’19 Midseason #44)

Age: 22

2019 Highest Level: A Greenville

(SG) YPA, as I affectionately call him, struck out 12 batters in a row, in a playoff game in Brooklyn this past September. If that doesn’t warrant a spot here then what does? I saw him throw a nice QS in Lowell back in July and was pleasantly surprised with the 22 year old Cuban’s composure on the mound. Padron-Artilles doesn’t have triple-digit heat but mixes his pitches nicely and could be a sleeper in this system. I could see him starting in Greenville and pushing for a spot in High-A Salem, if not Double-A before the end of 2020.

30. Chase Shugart, RHP (’19 Midseason #21)

Age: 23

2019 Highest Level: A Greenville

(BW) A really good athlete plucked in the later rounds of the 2018 draft, Shugart delivered 16 excellent starts in Greenville to the tune of a 2.81 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. Shugart gets the most out of his frame and could be really interesting in short stints, where the fastball already touches 96 in starts.

31. Bryan Gonzalez, OF (’19 Midseason #47)

Age: 18

2019 Highest Level: Rookie (DSL)

(SG) Gonzalez goes 6’2, 212 and has some immense power potential. He had his first taste of pro ball this past season in the Dominican Summer League, where he launched 9 HR in 67 games, slashing .251/.341/.435. Steamer is looking at a significant decline on those numbers in 2020, with his K% rising from 26.3% to 34.4%. We’re including him in our Top 30 regardless and this is one interesting international signing to keep an eye on.

32. Yoan Aybar, LHP (’19 Midseason #60)

Age: 22

2019 Highest Level: A+ Salem/AFL

(BW) Abyar was the beneficiary of a 40-man roster spot to be protected from the Rule 5 selection, which pushes his ranking up considerably as one of the only left handed pitching options in the system. A converted outfielder, Aybar has looked good on the mound in a relief role, and showed enough in the AFL to be just a phone call away from Boston. While he likely won’t contribute until 2021 with further refinement of command/control, Aybar’s ability to miss bats and limit contact makes him an intriguing option down the line in Boston. This is a long cry from where we had him ranked at 60 last midseason.

33. Brainer Bonaci, SS/3B (’19 Midseason #34)

Age: 17

2019 Highest Level: Rookie (DSL)

(BW) Bonaci really impressed this year in the Dominican Summer League with his all around athleticism and hitting output, where he showed surprising power for his age and frame while being an aggressive base stealer (18/28 SB). Bonaci should be a riser in the system and has some of the most excitement around him from his debut professional season.

34. Pedro Castellanos, 1B (’19 Midseason #31)

Age: 22

2019 Highest Level: A+ Salem

(BW) Castellanos is a true 1B mold as a big slugger, but was still able to produce a sub 15% K the last two seasons while still launching 9 HR in 2019. He’s an aggressive hitter with only a 4.5% BB rate though, so there’s all bat to carry the future profile. As we recently saw with Sam Travis’ recent DFA, the R/R 1B profile has some capped value in today’s game, but Castellanos may just hit his way beyond that projection.

35. Brock Bell, RHP (’19 Midseason #32)

Age: 21

2019 Highest Level: A- Lowell

(BW) The 2019 7th rounder primarily pitched in Rookie Ball during his brief debut while making one appearance in Lowell to wrap up the season. Bell, son of former MLB player Jay Bell, is a long-limbed 6’4″ which makes the fastball that touches 97 really jump on hitters. Still relatively young, Bell has the frame and foundational arsenal that could project as a future starter. Bell was a good get in the 7th and has some intrigue; his slider/changeup development as well as command will dictate his ultimate role.

36. Eduard Bazardo, RHP (’19 Midseason #30)

Age: 24

2019 Highest Level: AA Portland

(BW) Likely due to the mass of righty relief arms already on the 40-man, Bazardo was left unprotected and fortunately was able to stay in the organization following the Rule 5 draft. Armed with a plus curveball which is a true weapon, Bazardo has been able to generate swing and miss stuff despite lacking an elite velocity fastball. While undersized, Bazardo could prove valuable depth in the middle relief corps as soon as 2021.

37. Jonathan Arauz, IF (’19 Midseason rank: Astros #26)

Age: 21

2019 Highest Level: AA Portland

(BW) The Red Sox selected Arauz in the Rule 5 draft and he makes for a versatile infielder who can play 2B, 3B, and SS. Arauz was a true prospect selection, as the switch hitter played only 28 G at AA last season, but should primarily focus on his development while helping the big club with a little bit of speed and defensive skills in the short term.

38. Josh Ockimey, 1B (’19 Midseason #24)

Age: 24

2019 Highest Level: AAA Pawtucket

(BW) Power and on base acumen have never been in question for Ockimey, but the hit tool, 1B only defense, and limits against lefties caps his ceiling to a strong side platoon. However, Ockimey could find his way up to Boston given the significantly right handed bats (Chavis, Dalbec) manning 1B in the big leagues. Don’t get down on my boy Scotty for having a huge Ockimey prospect crush a couple years ago when he ranked him 3rd on the 2018 preseason Red Sox Top 50.

39. Daniel McGrath, LHP (’19 Midseason #27)

Age: 25

2019 Highest Level: AAA Pawtucket

(SG) It seems as though we were hearing McGrath’s name almost every week in Double-A Prospect of the Week discussions for a while there last summer. From late June into early August, the Australian native tossed 48 innings over 8 starts, giving up only 1 earned run! He finished the season in Portland with a 1.68 ERA and 1.04 WHIP, earning his final start of the year at Triple-A Pawtucket. I actually thought with that hot stretch last year he had an outside shot of getting a cup of coffee in September, but that didn’t happen. It will in 2020.

40. Andrew “AJ” Politi, RHP (’19 Midseason: NR)

Age: 23

2019 Highest Level: A+ Salem

(BW) Politi is starting to separate himself from the large pack of right handers in the system as his conversion to starting was a revelation: the three starts to end the season showed some dominance with 13.1 IP, 3 H, and 3 BB: 7 K.



Tier 5

41. Ryan Fitzgerald, SS (’19 Midseason #35)

Age: 25

2019 Highest Level: A+ Salem

(BW) Fitzgerald was a former independent league player who had a later start in the Sox system, but provides a utility infielder ceiling who can field SS well and has shown enough with bat to ball and on base skills to envision him contributing at the highest level.

42. Nick Northcut, 3B (’19 Midseason #20)

Age: 20

2019 Highest Level: A- Lowell

(BW) Northcut didn’t have the breakout some envisioned this season at Lowell, but there’s plenty of development time left for the talented 3B. The power and throwing arm will carry his profile and should have enough skills and athleticism to stick at the hot corner.

43. Jhonathan Diaz, LHP (’19 Midseason #42)

Age: 23

2019 Highest Level: A+ Salem/AFL

(BW) Diaz proved a durable starter for Salem this season, and his stuff played up out of the bullpen during the AFL as he amassed 16 K in 10.1 IP. With not very much lefty depth in the organization, Diaz could emerge as a pitchability arm.

44. Kutter Crawford, RHP (’19 Midseason #22)

Age: 23

2019 Highest Level: AA Portland

(BW) Crawford has two strong offerings that has helped him missed bats at every stop in his development, but Tommy John surgery to end the 2019 season has bumped him down from his midseason rank of 22nd in the organization.

45. Darel Belen, OF (’19 Midseason: NR)

Age: 19

2019 Highest Level: Rookie (DSL)

(SG) Belen wasn’t really on my radar until Eric Cross (@EricCross04) pointed out that he was 11th in MiLB in Fly Ball Distance in 2019 (297′) among all players less than 20, with 50+ FB in play. Boom! He definitely deserves a spot on the Top 50. Spent his first pro season in the Dominican Summer League so let’s see where 2020 takes him. He also swiped 14 bags to go along with his .281/.370/.430/.800 slashline.

Top-10 Prospects Est. FB distance.

Age: Less than 20 | 50+ FB in play We got the big names at the top & look who’s #7. Also Darel Belen at #11, a nice sleeper in the #RedSox system & Gabriel Arias of the #Padres at #8 who is rising up my rankings as well. #FantasyBaseball #MiLB pic.twitter.com/Po8rjub3LS — Eric Cross (@EricCross04) January 7, 2020

46. Zach Schellenger, RHP (’19 Midseason #45)

Age: 24

2019 Highest Level: AA Portland

(BW) As a Fall Instructs participant at the end of this season, Schellenger has earned the favorable view in the eyes of the organization. He’ll need to stay healthy to build his track record in the high minors but could contribute to the Red Sox bullpen in 2020.

47. Joan Martinez, RHP (’19 Midseason #41)

Age: 23

2019 Highest Level: A+ Salem

(BW) Martinez is somewhat of a wild stallion type relief pitcher with a huge fastball but some rawness in the command and secondaries. If it all clicks, he features the stuff to be a back of the bullpen force.

48. Luis Perales, RHP (’19 Midseason: NR)

Age: 16

2019 Highest Level: NA

(BW) If you like sleeper prospects, Perales is an intriguing name from the recent J2 class out of Venezuela. At just 16 years old, Perales has a good starters frame, can hit 95 already, and flashes an advanced feel for the curveball. Check out Baseball America highlight of the young J2 righty in this Twitter video.

One of the biggest rising sleeper prospects in the 2019 international class? Red Sox RHP Luis Perales. Details: https://t.co/m5zUKeA9Jh pic.twitter.com/QTsxP8x9oy — Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) December 8, 2019

49. Alex Scherff, RHP (’19 Midseason #25)

Age: 21

2019 Highest Level: A+ Salem

(BW) Scherff has enough tools in his pitch mix to see him contributing in either the back of the rotation or a multi-inning role at the highest level. His changeup is the main weapon and would play off the fastball even more significantly in a bullpen role.

50. Felix Cepeda, RHP (’19 Midseason #50)

Age: 19

2019 Highest Level: Rookie (GCL)

(BW) Cepeda’s 6’3″ frame and four pitch foundation suggests that he could develop into a future rotation arm, and he’s already reportedly hitting the mid 90’s with the fastball.

51. Juan Chacon, OF (’19 Midseason: NR)

Age: 17

2019 Highest Level: NA

(BW) Chacon is one of the most recent J2 signees by the Red Sox and netted a sizeable bonus of 0k. He’s a tall, lean athlete who could project to have all 5 tools in the future.



The Next 11:

52. Enmanuel De Jesus, LHP (’19 Midseason #38)

53. Devlin Granberg, 1B (’19 Midseason rank: #29)

54. Kole Cottam, C (’19 Midseason #48)

55. Kyle Hart, LHP (’19 Midseason #51)

56. Jaxx Groshans, C (’19 Midseason #37)

57. Brett Netzer, 2B (’19 Midseason #33)

58. Stephen Scott, OF/1B (’19 Midseason #39)

59. Marino Campana, OF (’19 Midseason #43)

60. Tyler Esplin, OF (’19 Midseason: NR)

61. Yoelvis Guedez, RHP (’19 Midseason: NR)

62. Alex Zapete, 3B (’19 Midseason #54)