Since Dave Dombrowski left his job as the Boston Red Sox general manager, the team has been working hard to improve its minor league farm system. Chaim Bloom was hired from Tampa Bay to focus on that aspect of team building, but he struggled with overall team success and was let go at the end of the 2023 season.
Acting as the third general manager for the Red Sox in the past six seasons, Craig Breslow has made it his mission to improve the major league squad and establish minor league player development as a true force. After just a couple of seasons under his belt, it seems he has begun to pull that off.
Much of the talent in the current Red Sox system was acquired in some capacity by the Bloom mentioned above, although Breslow has supplemented that quite well. However, the more significant improvement in the system has been the focus on improved player development staffing. The team has consistently succeeded at position player development, but pitching development has stagnated.
Under Breslow, it appears that it is beginning to change. Even after the trade for Garrett Crochet, scouts and industry professionals consistently rated the farm system as one of the best in the league. Although the system is buoyed by position players, especially the big three of Kristian Campbell, Roman Anthony, and Marcelo Mayer, there are plenty of pitching prospects to watch for.
It seems the Red Sox are finding the sweet spot for skill development. The team has depth and exciting players on both sides of the ball throughout every part of the farm system. As long as Breslow continues to prioritize development, the team should succeed at constantly staying towards the front end of farm system rankings in the league and creating a pipeline of talent year in and year out.
With a farm system as successful and deep as the Red Sox have, it is no surprise to see the Top 10 loaded with future talent. These players have the potential to be regulars at the major league level and even become true stars. In the list, any player currently in the majors and expected to lose prospect eligibility, such as Kristian Campbell, has been left off.
Jhostynxon Garcia, nicknamed “The Password,” is a 22-year-old Red Sox international who signed from Venezuela in 2019 and is starting the season at AA. He made his way from Low-A to AA last season and immediately started turning heads.
Garcia’s calling card is his power, which rates out as plus. He also plays strong defense at centerfield, with good instincts and reliability. His contact rate is a work in progress and ultimately will determine his success at the major league level.
Connelly Early is a 23-year-old left-handed pitcher drafted by the Red Sox in 2023. He has started the season thus far in AA and has the potential to be a solid major league starter. Although his fastball has ticked up in 2025, he does not overpower hitters with velocity.
Early’s changeup is his best pitch, grading out as plus, but the fastball and sweeper are above average. He continues to develop a slider and curveball, and his solid control and projectable delivery give him a high floor overall.
21-year-old AA shortstop Mikey Romero is a bit of a forgotten man in the Red Sox system. Last season, he attempted to increase his power but sacrificed contact. So far, in 2025, he has managed to improve contact rates while maintaining the powerful power stroke he discovered in 2024.
Romero has below-average speed, but his defense is solid enough to be average at the major league level. If he can maintain his contact rates, he can be a solid everyday infielder.
David Sandlin, a 24-year-old starter at the Red Sox AA affiliate, has the ceiling of a mid-rotation arm with the floor of a late-innings or long reliever. His fastball tops out at 100 MPH and is his best offering with the potential for plus-plus rating. His slider grades plus, and he has solid swing and miss potential.
The sweeper and splitter both trend average, and Sandlin has largely abandoned the curveball. Overall, he has average command and control, but his command is more advanced. Improving in those areas will determine his success and future role.
Dorian Soto is the Red Sox’s top international free agency signing from this year. Just 17 years old, he has yet to play in affiliated ball. However, scouts saw him play in the Dominican Republic and reported that his power was already well advanced for his age, and his contact was trending positive, with a solid swing and bat speed.
Overall, he carries advanced discipline on offense across the board. His speed and defense may trend down as his frame fills out. This is an aggressive placement for a first-year player, but his offensive upside is among the best in the system.
The Red Sox’ top international signing from 2023, Yoelin Cespedes, can potentially be one of the league’s largest risers on league-wide prospect ranking boards. Cespedes already shows plus raw power, and at just 19 years old has plenty of room to fill out even further.
Starting the year at Low-A, Cespedes could be a fast mover if he improves specifically on his pitch recognition and approach at the plate. He has a violent swing but generates incredible bat speed. On the bases, he is below average, and his defense will likely not hold at SS. Overall, Cespedes is a bat-first talent but could be a middle-of-the-order player if he develops fully.
Luis Perales, 21, is the marquee pitcher in the Red Sox system. He is recovering from Tommy John surgery, but if he can return and still flash the stuff he had previously, he has legitimate front-end starter potential. His fastball is plus-plus, with high velocity and fantastic movement. He also boasts three average or above secondary pitches, a cutter, a slider, and a splitter, the last of which flashes plus.
Perales has greatly improved on his pitch mix, allowing him to fulfill a starter’s workload. Once Perales is fully healthy, he should return to AA. His stuff is already strong during rehab, which is a good sign that he will return to his previous standards.
By the end of the season, Franklin Arias has a chance to be the top prospect in the Red Sox system. Arias does not necessarily have a true elite talent, but he is well above average across the board. His strong defense and contact ability give him a high floor. His base running instincts are better than his actual speed.
Arias is still only 19, and likely to continue to fill out and gain power. Arias has the potential to be above average in power if his frame fills out. He has begun the season in Low A, but is already tearing it up at the level and may be a candidate for promotion during the first wave.
From the Top 10 Prospects in the League article: “Marcelo Mayer is one of Boston’s top prospects, a member of the infamous ‘big three. He is playing for AAA Worcester and has already been carving out a name for himself. What makes Mayer such a tantalizing prospect is that everything is so smooth.
Marcelo has a fundamental left-handed swing that leads to solid contact rates. His power is good and improving as he gains strength. He is a smart baserunner and plays strong defense. Mayer may not be plus-plus at any skill, but the lack of holes in his game projects him as a consistent major league presence. Mayer will likely be called up this season.”
From the Top 10 Prospects in the league article: “Many thought Anthony was ready to break big league camp on the Red Sox roster in 2025, and his start to the season in AAA has done nothing to change those opinions. Anthony is a true potential superstar, and his offense has the potential to be elite.
His raw power grades plus plus, as well as his swing and advanced discipline, allow him to maintain high contact rates and strong K/BB ratios. Anthony is an above-average runner and plays solid defense in the OF, with no glaring holes in any part of his game. Once called up, Anthony will be an all-star fixture for Boston.”
Although those are currently the Top 10 Prospects in the Red Sox system, several players with good seasons could easily jump through the ranks. Juan Valera (RHP), Hunter Dobbins (RHP), Justin Gonzales (OF/1B), Miguel Bleis (OF), and Yophery Rodriguez (OF) all have high potential for growth and development.
Breslow has made a point of filling out the system, and it is working. The Red Sox have one of the deepest farm systems they have had in decades, and it does not appear to be slowing down. Prospects are no guarantee; many end up struggling in the majors. However, this player has high ceilings and could be a huge part of the Red Sox’s future.
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