The Boston Red Sox are wasting no time with one of their most electric young arms (besides Payton Tolle & Connelly Early).
After just one inning of work in AA Portland, Luis Perales has been promoted again. This time, it's to AAA Worcester, meaning he's only one step away from reaching the major leagues.
In fact, he's scheduled to debut on Wednesday.
Luis Perales Scheduled to Debut on Wednesday After Getting Promoted to AAA
The move signals that the organization is seeing things that we, as fans and journalists, are not seeing. They are eager to get this man up and test his talent on that pitcher's mound.
Perales has been on the radar of scouts for years, thanks to his dynamic fastball, topping it already at 100 in his first start back from Tommy John surgery. His breaking ball also flashes plus potential.
What stands out the most, however, is the confidence Boston has in accelerating his climb. Skipping the usual workload at AA suggests that they see him as a pitcher who can handle challenges beyond his age and current experience level.
The timing of this promotion is very significant. With the major league club battling to stay in contention, every arm in the system is being evaluated to the max...not just for the future, but also for how they might contribute in the near term. Perales may not be a realistic option for Fenway Park in 2025, but the Sox seemingly have no other decision in mind to move him up another level this quickly...at least, without believing he has the poise to hold his own in Worcester.
In September, AAA hitters are often loaded with big-league experience, giving Perales a perfect testing ground. But how does this work with the Red Sox in how they view him?
It also speaks to the broader strategy from within this organization. Boston's pitching pipeline this year has been infused with new energy, with prospects like Payton Tolle and Connelly Early surging through the ranks already, making headlines of their own in the majors within their first starts. The addition of Perales to the WooSox adds yet another layer of intrigue.
If he can carry over his velocity and command from the lower levels, the Red Sox may be looking at one of the most exciting waves of pitching talent the franchise has developed in years. Arguably, since the Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, and Jonathan Papelbon days from 2005 - 2007.
For Perales himself, tomorrow is the biggest stage of his young career thus far. A successful debut would cement his reputation as the fast-rising prospect he once was, as he was originally a top 5 ranking in their system to start 2025...when he was still recovering from surgery.
This can perhaps accelerate conversations about his big-league timeline as well. One thing is certain, however, and that's the fact that the Red Sox are pushing him forward, and his ascension is impossible to ignore.