The Boston Red Sox have one of the more fruitful farm systems the franchise has seen in a long time, arguably, since the mid-2010's under Amiel Sawdaye's drafting tenure.
With spring training now in the rearview mirror, now is the perfect time to rank the top 30 prospects in the Red Sox's system, organized by total potential. If their potential is similar, their performance in the 2025 season or in this year's spring training will determine their higher/lower position. If neither makes a difference, or the player(s) haven't played yet, age will be the determining factor.
Red Sox's Top 30 Prospects Ranked Ahead of 2026 Season
#1: Payton Tolle (LHP) ETA: 2026 (Will Start 2026 in AAA)
Tolle has the potential to be one of the best pitchers in that Red Sox rotation behind Garrett Crochet. All the while, he's compared to the likes of Chris Sale, Jon Lester, and even David Wells.
Last season, he rose through the minors in just 18 starts from High-A Greenville through Triple-A Worcester, making his MLB debut in late August. That's an amazing amount of promise, and one that soars over the rest of the farm. Kiley McDaniel of ESPN had recently ranked him at No. 22 overall in his top 100 prospect rankings, the first Red Sox prospect he had selected to that point. It's the same thing with MLB, where they ranked him at No. 19.
So yes, Tolle is going to be great and is the de facto headliner. He was rumored to start 2026 in Triple-A, and that is, in fact, where he will begin the season. Still, he'll get the inevitable call-up and become a dominating factor in that rotation for, hopefully, years to come. Let's see if the organization can keep him and eventually extend him.
- #2: Franklin Arias (SS) ETA: 2027 (Will Start 2026 in Double-A)
- #3: Connelly Early (LHP) ETA: 2026 (Will Start 2026 in MLB)
- #4: Kyson Witherspoon (RHP) ETA: 2027 (Will Start 2026 in High-A)
#5: Justin Gonzales (OF) ETA: 2028 (Will Start 2026 in High-A)
As he's ranked No. 5 on this rankings list, Gonzalez was only signed for $250,000 out of the Dominican Republic two years ago. Yes, once upon a time, he was only worth that in Boston's eyes. Now, he's become better than they could ever imagine.
The outfielder no longer carries the 6'4", 210 lbs frame he was originally listed. Now, he is officially 6'5" and has filled out his frame, being listed at a grand 270 lbs. Over his only two years in the minors, he's maintained a career .294 batting average, totaling 154 hits with nine home runs, 34 doubles, six triples, and 58 walks in 140 games played.
He needs to work on a few things, however. His approach will decide everything regarding his outcome. His aggression as he hunts down fastballs will work at lower levels...but not in the higher ones. That can be a cause for alarm as strikeouts will climb. He ultimately needs to improve his pitch recognition and control his aggression to reach his ceiling.
Another thing is that his hit tool is the swing factor. His combination of a big leg kick and a long stride may come back to bite him as well. He needs to pick one to stay consistent with his mechanics to find success at the plate. Once he's chosen one, he can run with it, as he's shown he can be successful with both.
After gaining that much weight over time, he'll most likely be at first base for the foreseeable future, even though his arm strength is above average. He wants to be like Aaron Judge, so maybe he's willing to do a corner outfield spot if it would fit him. But, if there is ANY chance that he doesn't get traded, he'll need to be at first base, given how Triston Casas and Willson Contreras may very well be gone by the time he's ready. By then, he could be handed the job.
- #6: Dorian Soto (SS) ETA: 2030 (Will Start 2026 in Rookie Ball)
- #7: Juan Valera (RHP) ETA: 2027 (Will Start 2026 in High-A)
- #8: Jake Bennett (LHP) ETA: 2026 (Will Start 2026 in Triple-A)
- #9: Marcus Phillips (RHP) ETA: 2028 (Will Start 2026 in Single-A)
#10: Mikey Romero (3B/2B) ETA: 2026 (Will Start 2026 in Triple-A)
Mikey Romero is a player who can finally break through this season. He had tapped into his home run power the last two seasons, but with a low average each time. If he can not only do the latter, but also stay healthy, there's no doubt he'll be an eventual call-up come September.
I said in an earlier version of these rankings that if the Red Sox didn't acquire an infielder this offseason, Romero could break through faster than expected. However, after acquiring Caleb Durbin, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Andruw Monasterio just days before players left their homes for camp in Fort Myers, that's not the case anymore.
He may be a trade option in a package for the Red Sox come July, but as for right now, Romero will be a potential call-up sooner rather than later.
- #11: Anthony Eyanson (RHP) ETA: 2028 (Will Start 2026 in High-A)
- #12: Henry Godbout (2B/SS) ETA: 2027 (Will Start 2026 in High-A)
- #13: Enddy Azocar (OF) ETA: 2028 (Will Start 2026 in Single-A)
- #14: John Holobetz (RHP) ETA: 2027 (Will Start 2026 in Double-A)
#15: Yoeilin Cespedes (2B) ETA: 2028 (Will Start 2026 in High-A)
Once upon a time in 2023, Yoeilin Cespedes, one of the more advanced hitting prospects, was signed by the Red Sox for $1.4 million out of the Dominican Republic. He once had the potential to be a cornerstone of the future alongside Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Kyle Teel.
However, things have changed with Cespedes. In 2023-2024, he batted .346 and .319, hitting 11 home runs, 25 doubles, and striking out only 43 times in the two seasons combined (71 games). Sadly, while he hit five home runs, 29 hits, and 10 doubles in 25 games, he was promoted to Single-A, and was looking like he was on top of the world, he was taken back down to reality. He suffered a broken hamate bone in his left hand, and it effectively ended his 2024 campaign.
After returning for the 2025 season, while he still played 110 games, his batting average went down by a country mile to .227. He still hit 10 home runs with 24 doubles and 97 hits on the season, but his strikeout numbers rose horrifically, getting up to 101.
While his speed is below average for his age, along with having little range at second base, he's resorted to the DH role in Salem's lineup. He has a hard time adjusting to secondary pitches, especially given his overaggressiveness too early in counts. If he's going to perform well, he needs to show improvement in those tendencies at the plate. His power is there, and he has one of the quickest swings in that farm system; he needs to improve upon making contact, and a rise in that batting average before the Red Sox even think about calling him up.
Going into his age-20 season, time is on his side. This year will be the true test. With some serious up-and-coming talents surrounding him, it may kick him in the right direction.
- #16: Hayden Mullins (LHP) ETA: 2026 (Will Start 2026 in Double-A)
- #17: Tyler Uberstine (RHP) ETA: 2026 (Will Start 2026 in Triple-A)
- #18: Miguel Bleis (OF) ETA: 2027 (Will Start 2026 in Double-A)
- #19: Gage Ziehl (RHP) ETA: 2026 (Will Start 2026 in Double-A)
#20: Sadbiel Delzine (RHP) ETA: 2029 (Will Start 2026 in Rookie Ball)
At just 18 years old, Delzine is already hitting 98 mph on his fastball. Alongside it, he has a slider, curveball, and a changeup, which are very simple for a starting pitcher. His best secondaries are his curveball and change, with some needed refinement on his slider. His changeup, which Assistant GM Eddie Romero exclusively said was one of the most advanced pitches that he has ever seen from an international player, should be a key weapon in his arsenal.
"He’s got one of the most advanced changeups we’ve scouted. One crosschecker calls it devastating. He saw it and said, ‘That can play right now.’”
Originally listed as 6'5", 198 lbs, he added about 20 extra pounds to his frame. In his first season in 2025 for the DSL Red Sox, he suffered a minor flexor strain after throwing just 9 1/3 innings, giving up five earned runs on 11 hits. He definitely has the potential to be a frontline starter, but he needs to avoid overworking himself, get used to the workload, and then he can test his arm. Right now, development is key, and as long as he stays focused, he will move up this list by the end of this year.
- #21: Harold Rivas (OF) ETA: 2029 (Will Start 2026 in Rookie Ball)
- #22: Hector Ramos (SS) ETA: 2030 (Will Start 2026 in Rookie Ball)
- #23: Eduardo Rivera (LHP) ETA: 2027 (Will Start 2026 in Double-A)
- #24: Johanfran Garcia (C) ETA: 2028 (Will Start 2026 in High-A)
#25: Dawvris Brito (SS) ETA: 2031 (Will Start 2026 in Rookie Ball)
Brito is only this low on this list because he hasn't played a single game yet. That's it. There's no other reason why he's not competing for a top-20 spot in these rankings right now. He just got signed this January for $1.2 million out of the Dominican Republic and is already potentially a highly touted ballplayer.
Everything one can ask for in a shortstop is what Brito has and then some. At just 17 years old, much like Dorian Soto and Xander Bogaerts before him, he has appropriate strength and the range needed for his position. There may be concerns about him having to move off shortstop if he grows in his 6'0", 180 lbs frame, which will inevitably happen since he's only 17. So expect a likely transition to second base.
He hits the ball harder than anybody at his age, along with a quick stroke to his right-handed swing. From what's being said about him, he's very disciplined at the plate already and doesn't try to force anything or do too much.
Seems like the mental aspect is already there, along with his talent. Brito is another potential skyrocketer in these rankings in the coming years, possibly even more than Delzine.
- #26: Conrad Cason (RHP/SS) ETA: 2029 (Tommy John Surgery; will return in 2027)
- #27: Yordanny Monegro (RHP) ETA: 2028 (Tommy John Surgery; will return in 2027)
- #28: Allan Castro (OF) ETA: 2026 (Will Start 2026 in Triple-A)
- #29: Nelly Taylor (OF) ETA: 2028 (Will Start 2026 in Double-A)
#30: Garielvin Silverio (OF) ETA: 2030 (Will Start 2026 in Rookie Ball)
The largest amount of money for a signing bonus in this year's international class for the Red Sox was worth $1.4 million, and that was awarded to 17-year-old lefty-outfielder Garielvin Silverio.
Compared to his counterpart, Dawvris Brito, he doesn't necessarily have the same five-tool potential; his offensive game arguably has much higher upside. He will most likely have to be put into a corner outfield spot to better suit his strengths, especially with only having an average arm. He also doesn't run well, so covering ground won't be his thing either.
But Silverio has one of the better power swings from this international prospects class. He has a quiet swing, but his entire body is involved. He creates force from the ground up and makes hard contact, while a vertical approach to the ball adds natural loft. He's already adjusting very well to offspeed pitches and can use the entire field.
To many, including the Red Sox, he's well worth that $1.4 million. Much like Brito, he's not high on this list only because he hasn't played a single game yet. We will have to see what it entails for him.
Conclusion
Delzine, Ramos, Rivas, Brito, and Silverio all have chances to jump this board to the top 20, especially when the top prospects graduate in a year or two. By then, they'll be the next faces of the farm system. All of these players are only 17 or 18 years old, each with amazing potential.
Come 2028, they will be filling the top 15, and some may even break into the Top 100 Prospects list as well. Brito and Silverio are the two headliners, both recently signed out of the 2026 International Prospects Class.
But take a good look at these bottom-15 prospects. Come back to this article in just two seasons, and players like Gonzales, Soto, Azocar, Brito, Monegro, and Cason will be in the top 10 of this fruitful farm system, if they're not already on the team or traded, of course.