Article: Looking Back at the Top Red Sox Prospects From 2014

[Bryce Whitlow]

Ten years ago, the Red Sox had a stacked farm system. Now that they're in the same position, who panned out, and what can we learn from that promising time?

As we turn the page to the 2025 season, Red Sox fans have plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about the future. Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, Marcello Mayer, and Kyle Teel have propelled themselves to the top of nearly every MLB prospect list. With this feeling of excitement in the air, I thought it would be fun to travel down memory lane to a similarly hopeful time and look back on the Red Sox’s top-20 prospects from 2014. The list below reflects MLB's rankings of the Boston farm system, but for more detail, you can also read lists from FanGraphs, Baseball Prospectus, Baseball America, and Minor League Ball. So dust off your iPhone 6, and let's get nostalgic for a few minutes.

20. Jamie Callahan, RHP: The Red Sox selected Jamie Callahan in the second round of the 2012 draft at 87th overall. He originally committed to play at the University of South Carolina but chose to forgo his commitment and sign for $565,000. Callahan put up decent numbers in the minors but never cracked the big-league roster with the Red Sox. In 2017, he was packaged with Gerson Bautista and Stephen Nogosek and sent to the Mets in exchange for reliever Addison Reed. Callahan would get a cup of coffee with the Mets in 2017, appearing in nine games and running a 4.05 ERA over 6.2 innings of work. Callahan pitched in the independent Atlantic League as recently as 2022, but barring a comeback attempt, those nine appearances would represent the only major league action of his career.

19. Teddy Stankiewicz, RHP: The Mets originally drafted Stankiewicz in the second round in 2012, but he didn't sign with the team. The Red Sox scooped Stankiewicz up in the second round of the 2013 draft at 45th overall, and would agree to terms with him on a deal. Stankiewicz pitched in the Boston system until 2019, when he went 6-7 with a 3.85 ERA in Triple-A Pawtucket. Following the 2019 season, he’d elect free agency, making stops in Mexico and China before landing in the Reds organizatoin. In August of 2024, Stankiewicz returned to China, signing a deal with the Wei Chuan Dragons of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.

18. Cody Kukuk, LHP: The Red Sox selected Cody Kukuk in the seventh round of the 2011 MLB Draft. Kukuk profiled as a pitcher with above-average stuff, but is command caused major concerns. His $800,000 signing bonus showed that the Red Sox had a decent level of faith in him, but unfortunately, a series of bad choices effectively ruined his potential. In 2012, Kukuk was arrested for driving under the influence. While the charges were dropped, they caused him to miss most of the season, and his legal troubles were far from over. In 2014, Kukuk was once again arrested, this time for aggravated robbery. Kukuk wound up being sentenced to 42 months behind bars as well as 36 months of post-release supervision. The Red Sox released him after his prison sentence.

17. Bryce Brentz, OF: Bryce Brentz is notable for being the first player on this list to play for the Red Sox at the big-league level. Brentz would see limited action in Boston during the 2014 and 2016 season, getting into 34 games and hitting .287 with a home run. In 2018, the Pirates would purchase his contract, but he’d never play in the majors again. He briefly reunited with the Red Sox on a minor league deal in late 2019 but nothing came of it.

16. Wendell Rijo, 2B: The Red Sox signed Wendell Rijo as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2012. He'd never make it past Double A in the Boston system, but would eventually spend time in the systems of the Brewers, Yankees, Braves, and Phillies. Rijo spent the winter playing for Escogido in the Dominican Winter League, and 2024 was the first season in which Rijo didn't play at all in a big-league system, instead splitting time between Campeche and Veracruz in the Mexican League and batting .234 with a .592 OPS. Rijo just turned 29, so you never know what could happen.

15. Deven Marrero, SS: The Red Sox selected Deven Marrero in the first round of the 2012 draft. Marrero was a highly-touted prospect and considered a potential first overall pick before having a rough junior season at Arizona State. He fell to the Sox at 24th, and they promptly signed him for $2.05 million. Marrero would play in 109 games for the Red Sox, hitting .208 while playing decent defense. He’d see big-league action with the Diamondbacks, Marlins, and Mets as well. In 2024, you could find him providing analysis for NESN.

14. Brian Johnson, LHP: Brian Johnson was selected seven picks after Marrero, at 31st overall in 2012. Johnson would throw 171.0 innings for the Red Sox and even contributed to the 2018 World Series team. In 2018, he pitched in 38 games with an ERA of 4.17. Johnson’s final MLB season came with the Red Sox in 2019, after he struggled to the tune of a 6.02 ERA.

13. Rafael Devers, 3B: A player who needs no introduction, you can currently find Devers putting up perennial All-Star level numbers for the Sox. In 2024, Devers was just a 17-year-old playing in the rookie league and didn't even appear on most prospect lists, though Jason Parks of Baseball Prospectus said he possessed, "One of the sweetest swings I've ever seen from a 16-year-old." Devers was around for the fantastic 2018 World Series run and, seeing as he's just 27 and signed through the 2033 season, will most likely be around for the next great Red Sox team, Thus far, he’s made three All-Star teams and has hit 200 career homers,

12. Christian Vázquez, C: Christian Vázquez helped solidify Boston's catching position for parts of eight seasons. He had a memorable 2019 where he hit 23 homers and drove in 72 runs while providing solid defense behind the dish He was traded at the deadline to the Astros in 2022, but his impact can still be felt. In exchange for the catcher, the Red Sox received Wilyer Abreu and Enmanuel Valdez. Even in his absence, Vázquez is still helping the team. He currently plays for the Minnesota Twins, where he’s under contract through the 2025 season, though he looks like a possible offseason trade-candidate due to the inflexibility of the team's budget.

11. Manuel Margot, OF: Manuel Margot never played a game for the Red Sox, but he still managed to help the team. After he signed as an international free agent in 2011, he remained within the organization until November 2015, when he was included in the trade package that netted the Craig Kimbrel from San Diego. While he’s never been a player of note, Margot has still had a decent MLB career. Over nine seasons, he’s been worth 11.5 bWAR while hitting .254. Like Vázquez, he spent the 2024 season in Minnesota.

10. Anthony Ranaudo, RHP: After a standout collegiate career for LSU, the Red Sox thought highly of Anthony Ranaudo when they selected him 39th overall in 2010 and gave him $2.55 million as a signing bonus. With some scouts pegging him as a future No. 3 starter, Ranaudo got his chance with the Red Sox in 2014. He got seven starts and was hit around a bit, managing a 4.81 ERA and a 6.89 FIP. In January of 2015, the Red Sox traded Ranaudo to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Robbie Ross. Ranaudo would have unremarkable stints with the Rangers and White Sox before being out of the MLB at the age of 26. Anthony Ranaudo never reached his potential as a middle-of-the-rotation starter, but I’ll always remember his first career strikeout against Derek Jeter.

9. Trey Ball, LHP: Hopes were high for Trey Ball when the Red Sox selected him seventh overall in 2013. A high-school prospect from Indiana, Ball received a lot of attention for his potential to be a two-way player. As he was focusing solely on pitching for the first time, Ball's development was expected to be slow, but his athleticism and potential had people very excited. He never found his footing. In 543.2 career innings across multiple levels of the Boston system, Ball had a career 5.02 ERA and a 1.628 WHIP. In 2019, Ball attempted to become a two-way player, but it didn’t pan out. He became a free agent after the 2019 season and wasn’t picked up by another team.  Many fans, including myself, will remember Ball’s potential and always wonder what could’ve been if he put it all together.

8. Matt Barnes, RHP: I feel like many Red Sox fans have a love-hate relationship with Matt Barnes. At times, Barnes looked like one of the best relievers in the American League. Unfortunately, inconsistent performance would often get in his way and hamper him throughout the season. Don’t get it twisted, though. Matt Barnes was a good pitcher for the Red Sox. Across nine seasons, Barnes threw 466.1 innings and posted a 108 ERA+. He made the All-Star team in 2021 and was a consistent presence on the 2018 championship team. Barnes pitched 11.1 postseason innings for the Red Sox and only gave up one earned run. He showed up when it mattered most.

7. Mookie Betts, 2B/OF: After the Red Sox selected Mookie Betts in the fifth round of the 2011 draft, he quickly rose through the minors and turned into one of the best Red Sox in recent memory. When the 2014 rankings came out, Betts was coming off his age-20 season, in which he'd absolutely destroyed Single-A and High-A pitching, running a combined .923 OPS. He kept mashing at Double A and Triple A in 2014, and made his big-league debut that summer. In six seasons in Boston, Mookie made four All-Star teams while capturing the MVP award and winning the World Series in 2018. Looking back, his time in Boston was brief, and he will likely be remembered more as a Dodger when it’s all said and done, which hurts. While Alex Verdugo had his moments and Connor Wong has turned into a good catcher, you’d be hard-pressed to find a Red Sox fan  who thinks getting rid of Mookie was the right choice.

6. Garin Cecchini, OF/3B: As I write this, I look to my left, see a Garin Cecchini Salem Red Sox bobblehead on my shelf, and ponder what could’ve been. The Red Sox selected Cecchini in the fourth round of the 2010 draft. Cecchini had it going on at first, running an OPS above .820 in each of his first four minor league stops. In 2014 and 2015, his value plummeted as his once-amazing plate discipline and ability to hit dwindled at the higher levels of the minor leagues. He played in 13 career MLB games, hitting .229 with one home run. He’d eventually be DFA’d to make room for David Price, and then traded to the Brewers.

5. Blake Swihart, C: This one hurts. The Red Sox drafted Blake Swihart 26th overall in 2011, and the switch-hitting catcher was regarded as one of the top prospects in the system for several years. Swihart would see his first taste of MLB action in 2015, after Ryan Hanigan landed on the injured list. He hit well enough, batting .274, but didn’t provide a lot in the OPS department. After struggling to find his footing in the following seasons, Swihart attempted to become a utility player, but various injuries and inconsistent play eventually left him without a role in Boston. In the first month of the 2019 season, the Red Sox sent Swihart to the Diamondbacks. He'd play 31 games for Arizona at the big-league level, then play in the Washington system in 2021. He played indie ball in 2022 and 2024, but appeared in just four games for Atlantic-League Charleston this season. Over 203 games with the Sox, Swihart managed a .679 OPS.

4. Allen Webster, RHP: Allen Webster was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 18th round in 2008, but came to the Red Sox in the mega-deal that sent Josh Beckett, Adrian González, Carl Crawford, and Nick Punto to Los Angeles. Webster ran a solid 3.60 ERA in Triple A during the 2013 season, but the prospect lists noted his lack of command, and he never put it together in Boston despite numerous chances. Over 18 starts and one relief appearance with the Red Sox, Webster ran a 6.25 ERA while giving out too many free passes and not striking out nearly enough hitters. The Red Sox traded Webster to Arizona after the 2014 season, but he would appear in just nine games for the Diamondbacks in 2015. After the season, he was traded to Pittsburgh, then released a month later. He spent the 2016 season pitching in the KBO for Samsung, pitched in the Rangers system in 2017, then signed with the Cubs in 2018, getting into 15 big-league games over the next two seasons. The results were largely the same.

3. Jackie Bradley Jr., OF: The amazing catches, the 29-game hit streak, the ALCS MVP! As inconsistent as JBJ was with the bat, he was a premier defender in center who made plenty of impact moments and played a big part in some good Red Sox teams. Bradley ran a career .838 OPS in the minors and a career .684 OPS in the majors, but made up for his deficiencies at the plate with his glove. Over the course of nine seasons with the Sox, Bradley slugged 101 home runs while making an All-Star team and winning a Gold Glove. I was a bit upset when the Sox traded Hunter Renfroe to get him back, but at least it netted the team David Hamilton as well. Jackie Bradley Jr. recently made a return to Fenway, catching the ceremonial first pitch for Joe Castiglione during his retirement ceremony, which was great to see.

2. Henry Owens, LHP: Henry Owens was yet another hyped pitching prospect whom the Red Sox failed to develop. The team drafted him 36th overall out of high school. Owens owned a career 3.52 ERA in the minors, and the Red Sox promoted him to the big club in 2015. The results weren’t great, but not terrible either. Over 63 innings in 11 starts, Owens ran a 4.57 ERA with a 4.28 FIP. Owens got five starts in 2016, and that's when the wheels started to fall off. He struggled heavily, walking 20 while only striking out 21. He also had a WHIP of 1.955, meaning he allowed nearly two baserunners in every inning he pitched. After the 2017 season, the Red Sox placed him on waivers, and although the Diamondbacks picked him up, he'd get into just five games in their system, pitching in indie ball from 2020 to 2022.

1. Xander Bogaerts, SS: Bogaerts spent 10 seasons in Boston and, depending on your opinion of Nomar Garciaparra, has a decent argument for the title of best shortstop in team history. Bogaerts made four All-Star teams while smashing 156 long balls and producing an .814 OPS in Boston. His best season with the Red Sox came in 2019, when he crushed 33 home runs, drove in 117, and batted .309. While I certainly don’t blame the Red Sox for declining to meet the San Diego’s enormous contract offer, I do think a deal with Bogaerts should’ve been worked out long before it got to that point. It felt like Xander Bogaerts should’ve been a Red Sox shortstop for life.

While the future certainly looks bright in Boston, we all must keep our expectations in check. While I want to see all of our top prospects succeed, history suggests that the likely scenario is that two of them fully pan out, if we’re lucky. That isn’t meant to rain on anyone’s parade, but just remember, for every Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts, there are always many more Henry Owens, Blake Swiharts, and Allen Websters. Still, I can’t wait to see how these up-and-coming players develop. 

 

View full article

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Interesting perspective in that several pitchers picked high by Boston (not just Trey Ball) didn't have very long or successful MLB careers at all -- for whatever reasons: Owens #36 overall, Renaudo #39 overall, Johnson #31 overall...

Bad luck, scouting, organizational development, or a mix?

After all, Tarik Skubal was a 9th-round pick, 255th overall, by Detroit in 2018...

[Brock Beauchamp]

It's hilarious to look back at these lists and see JBJ in second place while Mookie is back in seventh.