Article: Red Sox Minor League Hitter of the Year: 2024

[Steve Trefz]

Today, we continue to hand out our proverbial Talk Sox hardware. Who were the top hitters for the Red Sox minor-league ballclubs in 2024? 

Last week we handed out the following awards:

Short-Season Minor League Pitcher of the Year: Juan Valera
Short-Season Minor League Hitter of the Year: Franklin Arias
Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year: Mike Sansone
Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jojo Ingrassia

 

Today, we will discuss the most exciting hitters in the Red Sox full-season minor-league affiliates.

The Talk Sox minor league writers and video providers were asked to vote on these awards. All in all, 13 minor-league hitters received votes. Kiko Kavadas (Worcester) received a few votes, but currently dons the Angels colors after being traded for Luis Garcia. Bryan Gonzalez (Greenville/Portland), Bobby Dalbec (Worcester), Mikey Romero (FCL Red Sox/Greenville/Portland), and Nick Sogard (Worcester) all received a few votes as well, and are worth keeping an eye on heading into 2025. Before getting into the top five vote-getters, here are three hitting prospects worthy of honorable mention.

Honorable Mention

• C/1B/2B – Mickey Gasper, 29, (Portland/Worcester), 92 G, .328/.440/.531, .970 OPS, 102 H, 27 2B, 0 3B, 12 HR, 58 RBI, 56 BB, 42 K, 4 SB
• SS/3B/LF – Matthew Lugo, 23, (Portland/Worcester before being traded to Angels), 79G, .287/.376/.578, .954 OPS, 79 H, 21 2B, 4 3B, 17 HR, 57 RBI, 32 BB, 74 K, 16 SB (stats include one game with Angels AAA)
• 2B/3B/SS - Chase Meidroth, 23 (Worcester), 51 G, .293/.437/.401, .838 OPS, 128 H, 20 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR, 57 RBI, 105 BB, 71 K, 13 SB

Full-Season Minor League Hitter of the Year
Here are the top five players for the Red Sox Full-Season Minor League Hitter of the Year:

5. C/OF - Kyle Teel, 22, Portland/Worcester
112 G, .288/.386/.433, .819 OPS, 12 SB, 123 H, 23 2B, 0 3B, 13 HR, 78 RBI, 68 BB, 116 K
First-round pedigree and a quick rise up the organizational ladder puts Teel near the top of the list. Teel was selected 14th overall in the 2023 amateur draft, and the 6'0", 190-pound, left-handed bat out of the University of Virginia has lived up to the hype. He started at FCL rookie league in 2023 but made it all the way to Portland before season's end. In 2024, Teel made the climb from Double A to triple-A Worcester, but also saw him struggle at the highest level of minor-league baseball comparatively (OPS .852 in Portland/.717 in Worcester). 

With a hot start in 2025, Teel could be promoted for the last time relatively soon. If he stumbles out of the gate, there isn't much need to rush the 22-year-old catching prospect as he continues to build some power into his swing and work on his game-calling.

4. SS – Marcelo Mayer, 21, Portland
77 G, .307/.370/.480, .850 OPS, 13 SB, 118 H, 28 2B, 0 3B, 8 HR, 38 RBI, 30 BB, 66 K
At 6'3", 188 pounds, Mayer has room to grow for sure. Hitting for average appears to be a solid skill already, but the fourth overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft out of Eastlake High School (CA) is just beginning to fill out into his prospect form. Mayer has taken his time climbing the ladder, spending all of 2021 in the FCL and splitting his time between the Salem and Greenville squads in 2022. He made the leap from Greenville to Portland in 2023, but his slash numbers all took a hit at Double A, as his average fell .290 to .189 and his OPS from .890 to .609. 

Given the depth above Mayer at the shortstop position, one could make the argument that he will play a role in the 2025 trade season before he climbs any further. It will be an important season for the young prospect to continue to improve.

3. OF – Jhostynxon Garcia, 21, Salem/Greenville/Portland
107 G, .286/.356/.517, .882 OPS, 17 SB, 118 H, 24 2B, 5 3B, 23 HR, 66 RBI, 33 BB, 99 K
Garcia came to the Red Sox via the international free agent market out of Venezuela in 2021. Since then, the 6'0", 163-pound outfielder took the slow route of promotion early in his professional career. After spending 2021 in the Dominican Summer League, Garcia rose up to the next rookie level in the FCL in 2022, and then spent all of 2023 in Salem. However, things escalated quickly for the 21-year-old in 2024. After 24 games in Salem, he spent the bulk of the 2024 season in Greenville and then kept on going right up to Portland for his last 30 games.

While the rise to Greenville went well, the climb to Portland wasn't so smooth, as his OPS fell from .998 to .706. You can figure that "The Password" will spend the bulk of 2025 in Double A, continuing to hone his defense and sweet home run stroke, while also working to improve his walk-to-strikeout rate.

2. OF – Roman Anthony, 20, Portland/Worcester
119 G, .291/.396/.498, .894 OPS, 16 SB, 132 H, 32 2B, 4 3B, 18 HR, 65 RBI, 79 BB, 127 K
Anthony came close to topping the list and he's not even old enough to drink yet! The second-round selection in the 2022 amateur draft out of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (FL) has done nothing but impress since he began his professional career. The 6'2", 200-pound prospect has climbed the organizational steps and delivered at every destination of late. In 2022, Anthony struggled in the leap from rookie FCL ball to Salem, but he turned that around with stellar performances in 2023 from Salem to Greenville to Portland (we like an OPS of 1.020). Last season brought more good vibes, as Anthony spent most of the season at Portland before being promoted to Worcester.

Will the Red Sox show patience with Anthony in 2025, allowing him to continue filling out his frame and honing his approach at the plate for a full season? Red Sox fans can't wait to find out.

1. 2B/SS/CF, Kristian Campbell, 22, Greenville/Portland/Worcester
47 G, .320/.391/.517, .908 OPS, 8 SB, H, 11 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 29 RBI, 19 BB, 20 K
Atop the list this season is a propsect whose pedigree is strong but not brilliant. Campbell came to the Red Sox organization via the fourth round of the 2023 amateur draft out of Georgia Tech. With size (6'3", 210 pounds) and college experience in his favor, Campbell took off in 2024 as he climbed from Greenville all the way to Worcester, where he was over four years younger than his peers. Considered a second baseman on many prospect lists, Campbell actually spent the bulk of his time at shortstop in the higher levels of the minors. Whether or not he remains there will affect the organization's plans for Mayer.

What made our Talk Sox crew pick Campbell as the top hitter in the organization? How about that slash line, which bears evidence of great contact ability and contact quality? He had a knack for driving in runs and managed 74 walks while delivering his 55 extra-base hits. Stealing 24 bases also makes one appreciate the diverse and electric skill set that the Red Sox might have stumbled upon in that 2023 draft. This outstanding young talent begins 2025 in Worcester, and if he can prove that last season wasn't a fluke, Fenway Park is just a small step away.

Congratulations to the young hitters we discussed today on great showings. For 2024, Kristian Campbell definitely earned and deserved our choice for Talk Sox Minor-League Hitter of the Year. Roman Anthony is quickly climbing the ranks, and several others have promising futures ahead in the next two to three seasons. Hopefully the offense will turn from liability to strength when these gems finally get the chance to shine at Fenway Park!

What do you think Red Sox fans? Is there someone that we missed? Who are you most excited about for both the short-term and long-term future of the squad?

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[mvp 78]

Maybe swap Mayer and Jhostynxon considering what happened when the later got to AA? IDK. Otherwise, very solid list and no complaints.