Red Sox Promote Three Minor Leaguers After Hot Starts

[Nick John]

The Boston Red Sox announced promotions for a few of their top performing prospects Sunday night.

After their hot starts, Infielder Franklin Arias and pitcher Brandon Clarke were promoted from Low-A Salem to High-A Greenville. Pitcher Hayden Mullins was also promoted, as he was sent to Double-A Portland.

In 19 games played, Arias may have been one of the hottest hitters throughout the organization as he opened the season with an eight-game hitting streak and reached base at least twice in each of his first six games. Despite being 19 years old, Arias has held his own, hitting .346/.407/.397 across 78 at-bats. Despite his ability to hit well, Arias has mostly been a singles hitter. Of his 27 hits, only four have been for extra bases. After his scorching start to the year, Arias started to come back down to earth last week. In his last five games, Arias has gone 6-for-22 with a walk, good for a stat line of .273/.333/.318.

On the other hand, Clarke has managed to impress in all three of his starts. The fifth-round draft pick has shown the ability that has led many to believe he was a steal. He’s gone 9 2/3 innings in three starts, allowing only a single run on two hits and two walks. In that span, he’s struck out 17 and generated 33 whiffs. Clarke opened eyes in his professional debut as he threw four perfect innings and struck out five batters. In his second start, he wasn’t as in command, lasting only 2 1/3 innings, but still struck out six while only allowing a single run on two hits and a walk. His third start for Salem showed he was ready for a bigger challenge, as Clarke went another 3 1/3 innings without allowing a hit. He only walked a single batter and struck out six, generating 13 whiffs. Clarke, 22 years old, will look to continue his impressive streak in High-A for Greenville.

The last of the promoted prospects, Mullins, has made four appearances and three starts for High-A Greenville this year. He’s thrown 17 innings, allowing two runs on 11 hits, one home run, and three walks. He’s also managed 27 strikeouts in that span while generating 53 whiffs. Mullins is the oldest of the three prospects promoted and has broken out after an average season in 2024. In his final start in Greenville, Mullins went four innings and allowed a single hit while striking out six. He also generated 12 whiffs. Mullins’ promotion to Double-A Portland will allow an opportunity to see if his start to the season was due to the age difference in High-A or an actual breakthrough for the left-hander.

All three players have performed to open the year and won’t be the last to get promotions. It’s just a matter of time until others join them in being recognized for their excellent starts to the season. But for now, these three are being recognized for their hot starts with the potential of facing tougher competition. They earned this opportunity.

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[moonslav59]

Great news!

So, with Arias going to GRE, it looks like Zanetello will be finding a new position. 

Clarke will easily take Mullins rotation slot at GRE, but who gets bumped from the AA rotation to make room for Mullins? With the pending Gio promotion, maybe someone gets a bump up to Woo.

Early, Uberstine or Sandlin might be considered.

 

[mvp 78]

I think Alcantara becomes the backup and Zanetello and Arias split SS/2B. Maybe Zanetello finds some time at 3B? 

I don't see him moving to OF unless they are ready to promote Yophery to POR. 

[Larry Cook]

I think arias had been amazing with the bat this season. Congratulations to him on the promotion!!!! 
with Hendricks giolita and bello back in Boston, I would think management will reset the pitching rosters across all levels 

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

I think Alcantara becomes the backup and Zanetello and Arias split SS/2B. Maybe Zanetello finds some time at 3B? 

I don't see him moving to OF unless they are ready to promote Yophery to POR. 

Arias isa tremendous defensive SS. I think he plays there 100%. Zanetello may share time at 3B with Andy Lugo and 2B w Alcantara or play OF/DH.  I wonder if he can play 1B.

Alcanara and Lugo are both over .800, while Zanetello is around .650. "Zane" is not good on D, either.

[mvp 78]

44 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Arias isa tremendous defensive SS. I think he plays there 100%. Zanetello may share time at 3B with Andy Lugo and 2B w Alcantara or play OF/DH.  I wonder if he can play 1B.

Alcanara and Lugo are both over .800, while Zanetello is around .650. "Zane" is not good on D, either.

I don't know how much room there is in the OF for Zenetello with the OFers they already have (Taylor, Bleis, Rodriguez, Ehrhard). 

Honestly, Zanetello should probably be in Salem anyway. 

[mvp 78]

Since I looked this AM, SoxProspects made the following roster updates for GRE:

DH: Ehrhard>Brannon

1B: Brannon>Lugo

2B: Alcantara>Zanetello

SS: Zanetello>Arias

3B: Lugo>Alcantara

Basically, Ehrhard is benched (hitting horribly) and the defense is realigned.