Article: Red Sox Future Values Big Board: Ranking the Trade Value of Red Sox Players, #11-15

[Alex Mayes]

We're back with our future values big board! If you need a refresher on numbers 16 through 20, click here!

We're now moving into the more familiar names of the Red Sox system. We're taking a look at both major leaguers and low-level minor leaguers in this installment. We're also getting into players with a real chance of being moved this offseason as the Red Sox explore all avenues for contending in 2025. Without further ado, let's jump into the rankings.

#15. Chase Meidroth, 3B
Season age in 2025: 23
Years of team control: 3

Chase Meidroth was looked at as a potential late-season call-up had Rafael Devers gone on the IL while the Red Sox were still in the playoff hunt. Truth be told, he maybe should have been called up regardless to add another right-handed bat to the lineup. Meidroth spent the entire 2024 season with triple-A Worcester, manning the hot corner but showcasing some versatility as a utility infielder. Should he make it to the majors, he doesn’t profile as a third baseman and his ability to play all over the infield will help to drive his value up, even if the bat doesn’t play up. In 2024, Meidroth slashed .293/.437/.400. There’s very little power in his swing; he’s only going to run into a homer occasionally on the pull side. His glove and positional versatility will make him useful on the trade market as an addition to a trade centered around bigger-name players.

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#14. David Hamilton, SS
Season age in 2025: 27
Years of team control: 5

Had he not been placed on the IL with a broken finger in late August, David Hamilton probably would have manned second base through the end of the season, showing off his impressive baserunning skill and giving Red Sox fans something fun to watch during games that had no real meaning behind them. At the MLB level this year, Hamilton slashed .248/.303/.395 and swiped 33 bags. He started the year with lackluster numbers at shortstop but once he was moved to second and Ceddanne Rafaela started manning shortstop, Hamilton really settled in. He’s got some occasional pop in his bat, running into eight home runs throughout the season. His value lies in his ability to cause chaos on the basepaths. You know when he’s on base, and so does whoever happens to be toeing the rubber for the opposition. Teams are starting to place more and more value on being a consistent threat to steal, pushing Hamilton’s value higher.

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#13. Quinn Priester, RHP
Season age in 2025: 23
Years of team control: 6

Quinn Priester came over from the Pirates and was called up towards the end of the season to make one start. Between both organizations, he appeared in seven total big-league games, going 3-6 while logging two quality starts. He sported a 4.71 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and a 5.98 K/9. His minor-league results were similar, but he struck out more than a batter per inning. He made 16 appearances, going 6-2 while sporting a 4.38 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 9.75 K/9. Preister shines by way of his high groundball rate. He’s not a huge swing-and-miss guy, but he profiles as the type of pitcher who will excel with solid defense behind him, something the Red Sox are focusing on next season. There’s reason to believe that working with Andrew Bailey will unlock something, allowing him to become a middle-of-the-rotation starter, possibly as soon as next season. The Red Sox wouldn’t seem keen to trade someone for whom they surrendered a top prospect, but Priester's value lies in his potential to get outs as a starter. If he can prove that ability, then he becomes either a valuable member of the rotation or a significant trade piece.

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#12. Connor Wong, C
Season age in 2025: 29
Years of team control: 4

Connor Wong is the only piece of the Mookie Betts trade that remains with the Boston Red Sox, but let’s not talk about that. Wong has cemented himself as the starting catcher in Boston for now, but with Kyle Teel knocking on the door, his value to the team is not as high as it once was. Wong slashed .280/.333/.425 in 2024. When he gets hot, there’s pop in the bat, almost all to the pull side. However, he goes through dry spells, and then there's his defense. Wong has gotten better at framing from the bottom half of the plate but across the board his defensive metrics are ice-cold. There’s value in a bat-first catcher on the open market, and the Red Sox could look to cash in on it if they feel that Teel is close to making the roster. 

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#11. Braden Montgomery, OF
Season age in 2025: 22
Years of team control: 10

Braden Montgomery may be the most difficult player to rank on this list. He has yet to play an inning of pro ball due to a broken ankle suffered during the NCAA Super Regional when he was playing for Texas A&M. Montgomery slashed .322/.454/.733 at A&M this past season and there's case to be made that had he not gotten hurt, they wouldn’t have lost to Tennessee in the College World Series. In short, Montgomery has the chance to be a game-changer. He profiles as a corner outfielder with easy power to all fields. That profile limits his value to the Red Sox though. As we all know, the Red Sox are flush with talent at the corner outfield spots across all levels of the organization. Were it not for his injury, he would probably be higher on this list, but his position limits is upside too. Once spring training starts, though, look for Montgomery to start making noise. It wouldn’t be shocking if other teams started taking notice of him as well.

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[moonslav59]

I like Fitts more than Priester, but they are close.

[Alex Mayes]

57 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I like Fitts more than Priester, but they are close.

I originally had Fitts over Priester for the list but decided to ultimately go with Priester solely based on who they traded to the Pirates for him.

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, Alex Mayes said:

I originally had Fitts over Priester for the list but decided to ultimately go with Priester solely based on who they traded to the Pirates for him.

Well, we traded Dugo for Fitts (and others.)

[Hugh2]

I get that Fitts had a nice stretch in Boston, but I'm not convinced by that 20 IP sample size after showing very mediocre stuff all year in AAA. 

He very well could end up turning out more MLB value, but I think Priester has a much higher ceiling.  For that his trade value could be higher. 

[Alex Mayes]

2 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Well, we traded Dugo for Fitts (and others.)

Absolutely. I just think sending Yorke to the Pirates for Priester weighs heavier than someone like Verdugo.

[Alex Mayes]

1 minute ago, Hugh2 said:

I get that Fitts had a nice stretch in Boston, but I'm not convinced by that 20 IP sample size after showing very mediocre stuff all year in AAA. 

He very well could end up turning out more MLB value, but I think Priester has a much higher ceiling.  For that his trade value could be higher. 

Pretty much where I'm at as well. Priester seems like the exact type of pitcher that can benefit from the Bailey System and I think Fitts has a much lower ceiling with a rotation like what Boston is, supposedly, looking to build for next season. 

[moonslav59]

41 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I get that Fitts had a nice stretch in Boston, but I'm not convinced by that 20 IP sample size after showing very mediocre stuff all year in AAA. 

Forget Fitts in MLB in 2024. Did Priester show anything better in MLB or AAA, this year?

5.44 in 50 IP MLB 1.17 WHIP (2.4 K:BB)

4.38 in 72 IP in AAA 1.41 WHIP (4.1 K:BB)

(2023: 7.74 in 50 IP in MLB and 4.00 at AAA in 108 IP)

 

Fitts was 4.17 in AAA '24 with a 1.28 WHIP and 3.0:1 K:BB (Better ERA and WHIP/worse K:BB) Fitts in AA in '23: 3.48 ERA in 153 IP (lots of innings) 1.14 WHIP and 3.8 K:BB. soxprospects.com: Fastball: 93-96 mph. Tops out at 98 mph. Velocity has steadily increased through 2023 and into 2024.

 

[Hugh2]

4 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Forget Fitts in MLB in 2024. Did Priester show anything better in MLB or AAA, this year?

5.44 in 50 IP MLB 1.17 WHIP (2.4 K:BB)

4.38 in 72 IP in AAA 1.41 WHIP (4.1 K:BB)

(2023: 7.74 in 50 IP in MLB and 4.00 at AAA in 108 IP)

 

Fitts was 4.17 in AAA '24 with a 1.28 WHIP and 3.0:1 K:BB (Better ERA and WHIP/worse K:BB) Fitts in AA in '23: 3.48 ERA in 153 IP (lots of innings) 1.14 WHIP and 3.8 K:BB. soxprospects.com: Fastball: 93-96 mph. Tops out at 98 mph. Velocity has steadily increased through 2023 and into 2024.

 

Results doesn't reflect talent, yes results 100% matter and is ultimately only what matters but consider this. 

You can have two pitchers with the exact same results but one could have the potential to be much better than the others based on their stuff.  Priester has much much better stuff, that's indisputable and teams dream on upside.  Priester has higher value to more teams. 

[moonslav59]

24 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

Results doesn't reflect talent, yes results 100% matter and is ultimately only what matters but consider this. 

You can have two pitchers with the exact same results but one could have the potential to be much better than the others based on their stuff.  Priester has much much better stuff, that's indisputable and teams dream on upside.  Priester has higher value to more teams. 

I understand how Priester appears to have better swing and miss stuff. I think they are pretty close in potential.

I was responding to the point made about the so-so Fitts numbers for 2024, and I felt it is only fair to point out Priester's equally so-so numbers at the same levels.

[notin]

Fitts and Priester both have mid-rotation ceilings, but are more likely to settle in to either the back of the rotation or the bullpen.  And both fall behind a healthy Perales.  But Boston really lacks the upper minors pitching depth to deal either one without getting significant pitching in return.  
 

I think the focus for Boston in any trade is the position player depth.  I’ve often suggested Braden Montgomery, but really, his value more than goes up once he takes the field again.  Hamilton? I like what he brings, and he should be in the 2b mix to start the season along with Vaughn Grissom, and eventually possibly Kristian Campbell, assuming he ever settles in at a singular position.  I don’t see Meidroth as much more than a throw-in on a trade that could probably happen with or without him.  Neither said will insist his inclusion or exclusion is a deal breaker…

[mvp 78]

2 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

I get that Fitts had a nice stretch in Boston, but I'm not convinced by that 20 IP sample size after showing very mediocre stuff all year in AAA. 

He very well could end up turning out more MLB value, but I think Priester has a much higher ceiling.  For that his trade value could be higher. 

Fitts doesn't generate a lot of swing and miss. He had a fun little stretch, but his FIP and xERA show regression to come. Priester comes with more upside, but potentially a lower floor. 

[Hugh2]

53 minutes ago, notin said:

Fitts and Priester both have mid-rotation ceilings, but are more likely to settle in to either the back of the rotation or the bullpen.  And both fall behind a healthy Perales.  But Boston really lacks the upper minors pitching depth to deal either one without getting significant pitching in return.  
 

I think the focus for Boston in any trade is the position player depth.  I’ve often suggested Braden Montgomery, but really, his value more than goes up once he takes the field again.  Hamilton? I like what he brings, and he should be in the 2b mix to start the season along with Vaughn Grissom, and eventually possibly Kristian Campbell, assuming he ever settles in at a singular position.  I don’t see Meidroth as much more than a throw-in on a trade that could probably happen with or without him.  Neither said will insist his inclusion or exclusion is a deal breaker…

I haven't seen anyone call Fitts a potential mid rotation starter, not saying they haven't.  But it certainly sounds like Priester is the one with a better ceiling. 

[notin]

4 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I haven't seen anyone call Fitts a potential mid rotation starter, not saying they haven't.  But it certainly sounds like Priester is the one with a better ceiling. 

I suppose there is a difference between “potential” and “ceiling”, but it’s probably just semantics…

[moonslav59]

A player might have a higher potential of sticking in the bigs but a low ceiling than someone with less of a potential to stick.

[mvp 78]

49 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

I haven't seen anyone call Fitts a potential mid rotation starter, not saying they haven't.  But it certainly sounds like Priester is the one with a better ceiling. 

Fitts is back end to bullpen most likely. I haven't heard anyone say midrotation ceiling either. 

[mvp 78]

Per SoxProspects: Summation: Potential fringe back-end starter or multi-inning reliever. Ceiling of a fourth starter.

[moonslav59]

27 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Fitts is back end to bullpen most likely. I haven't heard anyone say midrotation ceiling either. 

A guy named Hugh said it.

[mvp 78]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

A guy named Hugh said it.

Hugh did NOT say midrotation for Fitts. 

[moonslav59]

4 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Hugh did NOT say midrotation for Fitts. 

Correct, it was notin's quote he was responding to. My bad.