Red Sox Arizona Fall League Recap, Week 1

The annual offseason Arizona Fall League is underway, and an octet of Red Sox youngsters are representing the organization on the Mesa Solar Sox. As a reminder for those familiar with the happenings of the AFL — or as a primer for those getting into it for the first time — the league features six teams, each of which is composed of prospects from five different major league teams. As such, the Mesa Solar Sox are the home of not just prospects from the Red Sox, but also the Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland/Sacramento/Las Vegas Athletics, and Los Angeles Angels. You can find more on each AFL team here.

Boston sent eight players to the Solar Sox this offseason: right-handed pitcher Cooper Adams, who posted a 5.08 ERA in 79.2 innings with the High-A Greenville Drive; 20-year-old catcher Brooks Brannon, who had a .697 OPS in 230 at-bats this year; utility player Max Ferguson, who played in just 28 games this MiLB season; lefty pitcher Zach Fogell, who has a career 2.82 ERA in the minor leagues; right-hander Danny Kirwin, an undrafted free agent; outfielder Caden Rose, a seventh-round pick in 2023; and pitchers Conor Steinbaugh and Tyler Uberstine, who have combined to throw three total innings in the AFL through Wednesday, October 16.

Astute observers will recognize that those players aren't top-tier prospects (only Brannon appears on the team’s Top 30 list, and he slots in at 27th), which is mostly par for the course in the AFL. This league represents a chance for teams to send players who need more reps to a competition with other prospects of varying skillsets. If a player missed time with injury during the regular season, is working on a new plate approach, is tinkering with a pitch or delivery, or simply just needs more in-game action, the Arizona Fall League presents the perfect opportunity for that.

Thus far, the standout performer of that group has been Ferguson, who is slashing .316/.350/.368 through 19 at-bats thus far. He’s already had his signature moment too, hitting a walk-off RBI single on Opening Night of the AFL.

It’s a welcome sign for the 25-year-old, who struggled badly this season in his limited time with both Triple-A Worcester and Double-A Portland. He’s never hit better than .228 in any season of his career thus far, and his power has waned since hitting a career-high seven home runs during the 2022 season. Any additional production in Arizona could be necessary if he wants to return to the upper levels of the minor leagues in 2025.

Kirwin also had a stand-out performance in his appearance, striking out five batters in three innings and allowing only one run. The undrafted pitcher is known for his fastball but secured four of his K's with his slider. Developing a second plus pitch could fast-track his development and put him on the big-league radar by 2026.

Brannon and Rose, the other two position players in Arizona, have mostly struggled thus far. Brannon is slashing just .188/.235/.250 in 16 ABs and Rose has only earned 12 at-bats to the tune of a .650 OPS. It’s too early to deem their time in the desert as a bust, but they’ll need to step up their performance, lest they wish to lose playing time to other prospects on the Solar Sox roster.

Fogell, Steinbaugh, and Uberstine all have 0.00 ERAs in limited work thus far, though only the eldest of that group (Steinbaugh) has worked a clean inning. Adams has struggled in his maiden AFL appearance, allowing two earned runs in just three innings of work, surrendering a .364 batting average allowed to opposing hitters.

As of Thursday, the Solar Sox are in first place with a 6-2 record. The Arizona Fall League continues this week and all the way through the championship game on November 16.

Interested in learning more about the Boston Red Sox's top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!