Boston Red Sox 2026 Top Prospects Rankings: #11-15

[Alex Mayes]

We’re back with our second installment of the 2026 Top Prospects Rankings. If you missed the first round, catch up on them right here and then come back to be up to date before we crack open the top 10. As a reminder, these were voted on by the Talk Sox writers. 

No. 15: Yoeilin Cespedes (Greenville Drive)

Cespedes was signed as an international free agent in 2023 to the largest bonus of the entire IFA class. He was technically promoted to Salem last year but failed to see any game action as he was scratched from his debut with hand soreness; eventually, he would be placed on the injured list with a broken hamate bone that ended his season.

Cespedes is a bat-first shortstop who may not stick there as he climbs up the system, as his defense isn’t up to par with guys ahead of him at the higher levels. He may end up sliding over to second base, which would help extend his time in Boston’s system, but he’s eligible for the Rule 5 draft in 2027. Thus, it wouldn’t come as a shock to see him included in a trade package at some point over the next year unless he has a breakout year in Salem, where he should begin the season.

No. 14: Henry Godbout (Greenville Drive)

Godbout was selected by the Red Sox in the second competitive balance round in 2025 out of Virginia. He is technically a second baseman in the system but has spent time at third previously and was announced as a shortstop, even though it remains to be seen if he will see any time there as a pro.

He slashed .341/.473/.477 over 13 games with the Drive last year. His right-handed bat will help satisfy lineups that lean lefty heavy up and down the system, but he needs to find a bit more power in his swing to be considered anything more than a future backup. He’s a contact-first bat that should play well at second base, but if he were to move off second for another position, then an uptick in offensive impact will be necessary. He passes the eye test at the keystone but leaves a bit to be desired in terms of flashy defensive plays.

No. 13: Johanfran Garcia (Greenville Drive)

The last remaining Garcia brother in the Red Sox’s system, Johanfran is a catcher who projects to have a ton of power as he climbs prospects rankings. On top of that, he’s proven to be a capable defender who isn’t afraid to get in the dirt to block balls and make plays. He’s a decent framer, for what that’s worth with the league-wide adoption of the ABS system, and could possibly be making noise as a backup to Carlos Narvaez as quickly as next season if everything clicks.

Garcia features a great arm behind the plate and will likely lean on Narvaez as he grows in the system to best utilize that strength to throw out would be base stealers. He slashed .249/.327/.428 with nine home runs over 46 games last season.

No. 12: Jake Bennett (Worcester Red Sox)

Bennett came over from the Washington Nationals in a rare, one-for-one, prospect-for-prospect trade during the offseason. Headed back to the Nats was highly touted RHP Luis Perales, so Bennett has some big shoes to fill.

So far, he’s doing just that. As of this writing, he’s appeared in one spring training game for the Red Sox and he looked absolutely dominant during that outing. His fastball was up to 98 mph, faster than he’s previously thrown. He has the size, extension, and control that Andrew Bailey loves in a starter and should be a contributor in Worcester from Opening Day. Expect him to remain in the rotation there, but you could see him as a late season call-up to add depth to the bullpen too.

No. 11: Miguel Bleis (Greenville Drive/Portland Sea Dogs)

Bleis has been a mainstay on top prospect rankings for the Red Sox since he was acquired as an IFA in 2021, but his time to make good on that distinction is quickly ticking away. He has the potential of a standout outfielder but, so far, has failed to put it all together to make much of an impression.

He’s dealt with injuries in every season of his pro career and is flirting with carrying the dreaded ‘chronically injured’ designation that every player hopes to avoid. Putting together a healthy and productive 2026 would go a long way toward establishing him as a player to watch moving forward, but his hit tool is so streaky that it’s incredibly hard to project how impactful he’s going to be moving forward. He’s eligible to be taken in the Rule 5 draft this coming December, so if there’s any indication he’s progressing, the team is either going to have to trade him away or protect him on the 40-man roster if they don’t want to risk him being selected with no compensation in return.

---

What stands out in the 11-15 ranked prospects to you? Let us know in the comments below!

View full article

[mvp 78]

I think we should be past the hype on Bleis. He hasn't put up 750 OPS since '22 in FCL. Having him or Cespedes ahead of Allan Castro doesn't make much sense to me anymore. Those two haven't shown anything. Castro keeps showing up, getting on base and moving up the ladder. The ceiling for Bleis may be higher, but it's been over 3 years of disappointment. Castro is only 9 months older than Bleis FWIW. 

[moonslav59]

I'm super high on Jo Garcia, but Bleis and Cespedes are not even in my top 30.