Payton Tolle You don't see fastballs like this every day. 98 mph with vertical carry plus it gets released so close to the plate. Makes minor league hitters look foolish. Secondaries are a work in progress. If the slider/changeup develop, could easily become the next #1 pitching prospect in the sport once the current generation graduates.Luis Perales Really close between Perales and Tolle. Perales has the better stuff but has bullpen risk due to his high effort delivery and who knows how he comes back from Tommy John. Similar fastball to Tolle (minus the extension) but much better secondary offerings. True ace potential if that delivery gets cleaned up a bit.Franklin Arias What he's doing with the bat at such a young age in A+ ball is quite impressive. He's hitting .277 and is the 2nd youngest player at the level, only behind uber-prospect Leo de Vries. Wish he walked a bit more but he just does not strike out. Tons of room to project further development due to him only being 19. Doesn't have great foot speed and is getting slower, which is a concern for his long term ability to stick at SS. Will make an above average 2B in the worst case scenario.Jhostynxon Garcia Usually these power hitting outfielders are too bulky to handle CF but don't tell that to the Password. .292 with 9 HRs in 40 games at AAA is nothing to sneeze at, plus can play all 3 OF positions. Probably would be talking about a call up right now if the OF wasn't so stacked and he probably gets his cup of coffee at some point this year.Kyson Witherspoon Only have the scouting report to go off of here but he seems pretty good. Starter's build, high velo fastball, strong slider/cutter combo for secondaries. Interested to see his debut.James Tibbs III A real hitter's hitter. Had a very interesting interview posted on Fangraphs a few days ago talking about how the Sox are emphasizing bat speed and pull-side power. Was already a well regarded prospect pre-trade but has the potential to pop off under the right coaching. Will not be able to handle Fenway RF: is stuck at LF or 1B. Connelly Early (This is where I'd have Fitts and Dobbins but they are no longer prospects due to graduation)
Looks to be a back end starter. Throws a bunch of pitches but none pop out at you. Has excellent, repeatable mechanics that give you confidence in going 5+ innings without breaking down.Brandon Clarke Exact opposite as Early. Has touched 100 with the fastball and rocks a wipeout slider but has a high effort delivery that points to the bullpen. Could be a real weapon out of the pen.Dorian Soto Too early to say anything concrete about a 17 year old but hitting .343 in the DSL has to be worth something. Doesn't walk or strike out much. Unclear if he can stick at SS or not. Ranking could swing wildly either way once promoted to Salem.Juan Valera Threw a 100 mph fastball at 18, which not many people can say. Strikes out a bunch of batters and doesn't walk many but he did get slapped around pretty hard at A+ before being shut down due to injury. I think the sample size hurt him and he's better than his 5.40 ERA.David Sandlin Good stuff but lack of command/control means he doesn't have the numbers to back it up. 3.87 ERA, average walk and strikeout rates at the AA level. Throws a 97 mph fastball but AA level batters are hitting it hard. Could spike up the rankings if he figures it out or plummet down them if not.Justin Gonzales Man can this guy generate some exit velocity! Has the profile to potentially stick in the outfield and not be a 1B only type. High ceiling/low floor and struggles to make enough contact to get to the power, but the potential is there.Mikey Romero High floor utility infielder. Kind of guy that doesn't get you out of bed in the morning but the kind of guy every team needs.Marcus PhillipsAnthony EyansonBlaze Jordan 2025 campaign probably saved his career. Pure 1B defensive profile. Hitting .320 at AAA is very impressive no matter how you slice it but defensive limitations and platoon splits mean it's tough to get him in a lineup. Probably worth Rule 5 protecting but unsure how he fits on the same team as Romy Gonzalez when both are RHH 1Bs who do their best work vs LHP.Johanfran GarciaJedixson PaezYoeilin Cespedes Big fall from grace for a formerly highly regarded prospect. Stiff 2B defender who might be forced into LF. Hitting .213 in Salem is not what you want to see either. Has pedigree but is on the fast track to flaming out if he doesn't turn it around soon.Miguel Bleis Outstanding speed, great instincts out in CF, plus raw power. The only problem? He cannot get his bat on the baseball. A .212 average across 450 A+ plate appearances just is not going to cut it. Development seems to have stalled. Is Rule 5 eligible and I don't think you bother protecting him at this stage of the game.
