Boston Red Sox Farm System: The Red Sox system blends breakout bats, power arms, and near-ready contributors—offering fantasy upside across formats with impact talent rising fast and complementing 2025 promotions like Roman Anthony, who’s already making noise in Boston
Summary
The Red Sox system experienced significant movement in 2025, with several prospects showcasing fantasy upside across various levels. Franklin Arias emerged as a breakout bat with explosive swing traits and early production, while Payton Tolle and Connelly Early solidified their paths to the rotation—Tolle with power and durability, Early with polish and proximity. Luis Perales and Yordanny Monegro remain high-upside arms with electric stuff, though command and health will shape their trajectories. Jhostynxon Garcia held his own in Triple-A and earned a brief MLB look, showing enough tools to remain firmly on the radar.
Pitching depth continues to be a strength. Brandon Clarke’s fastball traits and improving slider give him starter potential, and Kyson Witherspoon’s pitch data suggests impact upside once he debuts. On the position player side, Justin Gonzales showed promise, while Dorian Soto and Yoeilin Cespedes offer sneaky upside if the power clicks.
The system is deep, with multiple players capable of fantasy relevance in the right context—especially if trades or role shifts unlock opportunity.
AI-Assisted Fantasy Tiers: Methodology and Observations
AI has made significant strides in all aspects of our lives. Over the past four years, I have compiled 500,000 words of personal scouting narratives, which have formed the foundation for training my own AI assistant. This assistant now evaluates prospects and assigns fantasy tiers exclusively based on the insights and observations contained in my write-ups.
After requesting that my AI assistant generate fantasy tiers using this year’s reports, I found that the AI’s rankings generally align with my own assessments. However, there are some cases where the AI’s evaluations differ from my personal rankings. I am sharing those differences here for your consideration.
🥇 Tier 1: Fantasy Impact Targets
- Franklin Arias – Explosive bat speed, plus power projection, early breakout signs
- Payton Tolle – Durable lefty with whiffs, command, and proximity edge
- Connelly Early – Polished lefty with MLB success and starter traits
- Luis Perales – Triple-digit heat, cutter weapon, command is the hinge
- Yordanny Monegro – Four-pitch mix, pre-injury dominance, post-TJ upside
- Jhostynxon Garcia – Power-speed blend with contact risk, proximity helps
🥈 Tier 2: Everyday-Upside Targets
- Kyson Witherspoon – Premium pitch traits, no pro debut yet
- Brandon Clarke – Fastball explodes, slider flashing, starter frame intact
- Dorian Soto – Compact swing, sneaky pop, versatile defensive fit
- Miguel Bleis – Bat speed and athleticism, approach remains volatile
- Marcus Phillips – Sinker-slider base, third pitch will define role
- Juan Valera – Electric arm, elbow risk, starter or closer path
🥉 Tier 3: Outside of the Impact/Everyday Targets
To see the reset of the tiers, become a Patreon subscriber at Patreon.com/prospect361.
2026 Player Profiles
1. Franklin Arias (SS)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 SS
- Last Updated: 11/28/2025
- Tools Summary: Explosive bat speed, plus power projection, early breakout signs.
Franklin Arias is one of the most advanced teenage hitters in the minors, and the Red Sox may have uncovered a future star. The 19-year-old Venezuelan infielder combines elite plate coverage, disciplined swing decisions, and above-average speed, all wrapped in a compact, efficient swing. He posted a .346 average in Low-A, climbed two levels, and finished the year in Double-A—all while maintaining elite contact rates and defensive versatility.
His bat speed is real, and while the current swing is geared for contact, there’s untapped power waiting to surface. Arias posted just an 8.9% strikeout rate in High-A, and his 46% ground ball rate is the main barrier to unlocking 20+ homer upside. The fact that he played the entire 2025 season as a 19-year-old and held his own across three levels speaks volumes about his maturity and skill.
Fantasy managers should treat Arias as a top-20 prospect with impact potential in AVG, speed, and emerging power. If the launch angle trends upward, he could grow into a multi-category star with everyday upside. Dynasty formats should be fully invested, and redraft relevance could arrive as early as mid-2026.
2. Payton Tolle (LHP)
- Highest Level: Majors ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 40 SP with upside
- Last Updated: 11/28/2025
- Tools Summary: Durable lefty with whiffs, command, and proximity edge.
Payton Tolle, the Red Sox’s second-round pick in 2024, entered pro ball with a heavy college workload and was eased in through the Complex League. Assigned to Salem to open 2025, he quickly made his presence felt—posting a 3.62 ERA with 79 strikeouts and just 14 walks in 49.2 innings. Promoted on June 28th, he shoved. Promoted again to Triple-A in August, he shoved harder. Across 91.2 innings, he finished with a 3.04 ERA, 133 strikeouts, and 33 walks—culminating in meaningful innings for Boston down the stretch.
Tolle is a physical force at 6-foot-6, 250 pounds. A former two-way player, he’s now fully committed to pitching, and the arsenal is legit. His fastball averages 96.5 MPH (T99) with high spin (2380 RPM), and his slider—hit hard early—tightened up as the season progressed. He also mixes in a changeup, cutter, and a show-me curveball, with no discernible platoon splits. The command sharpened with each level, and his strike-throwing ability held firm even against upper-minors bats.
Fantasy managers should treat Tolle as a redraft-relevant arm with the physicality and arsenal to contribute immediately. He’s trending toward a mid-rotation role with strikeout upside, and if the command holds, he could be a volume-heavy asset in all formats. Dynasty leagues should already be invested, and he’s draftable in 15-team redraft leagues as early as the mid to late rounds.
3. Connelly Early (LHP)
- Highest Level: Majors ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 50 SP with upside
- Last Updated: 11/28/2025
- Tools Summary: Polished lefty with MLB success and starter traits.
Connelly Early, the Red Sox’s fifth-round pick in 2023, delivered a breakout campaign across Double and Triple-A. In 21 games (18 starts), he posted a 2.60 ERA with nearly 12 strikeouts per nine and 3.6 walks per nine, flashing both swing-and-miss stuff and command. That performance earned him a September call-up, where he impressed down the stretch—posting a 2.33 ERA with 29 strikeouts and just three walks in 19.1 big-league innings.
Early doesn’t overpower hitters with velocity—his fastball averages 94 MPH and tops out at 96—but coming from the left side, it plays up. His elite changeup has excellent fade and tunnels beautifully off the fastball, making it a weapon against both lefties and righties. Left-handed batters hit just .138 against him in 2025. He lacks a true slider but leans on a solid cutter to keep hitters off balance. It’s an unconventional mix, but it works.
Fantasy managers should treat Early as a mid-rotation starter with redraft relevance and sneaky upside. His command, pitchability, and ability to neutralize left-handed bats give him a path to meaningful innings in Boston’s rotation. He’s not flashy, but he’s effective—and trending toward multi-format value in 2026.
4. Jhostynxon Garcia (OF)
- Highest Level: Majors ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 50 OF
- Last Updated: 11/28/2025
- Tools Summary: Power-speed blend with contact risk, proximity helps.
Pronounced Yos-Tin-Son—and dubbed “The Password” by @InsideFastball—Jhostynxon Garcia is more than just a scoreboard-breaking name. He’s a legitimate prospect with plus raw power, above-average speed, and the kind of physical projection that suggests more impact is coming. As he fills out, Garcia may lose some base-stealing juice, but the bat is the carrying tool, and his age-relative performance has kept him on the radar.
Garcia held his own through the upper minors, but Triple-A pitching exposed some contact concerns. His chase rate spiked, and his in-zone contact dipped, putting pressure on both his batting average and OBP. Still, when Wilyer Abreu hit the IL in August, the Red Sox promoted Garcia to Boston, where he appeared in five games. It wasn’t a breakout, but it was a vote of confidence in the tools and trajectory. Long-term, he still projects as a full-time regular with 20–25 homer upside.
Fantasy managers should treat Garcia as a volatile power-speed contributor with everyday upside if the contact stabilizes. There’s risk in the profile, but if he reins in the chase and improves zone contact, he could grow into a middle-of-the-order bat. Deeper formats should already be tracking, and dynasty managers may want to buy before the next wave of production arrives.
5. Kyson Witherspoon (RHP, #15)
- Highest Level: DNP ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 30 SP
- Last Updated: 11/28/2025
- Tools Summary: Premium pitch traits, no pro debut yet.
Kyson Witherspoon was the Red Sox’s first-round pick in July 2025, signing for just over slot at $5.1 million. One of the most dominant college starters in the class, he posted a 2.65 ERA across 16 starts with nearly 12 strikeouts per nine and just 2.2 walks per nine—showcasing both swing-and-miss stuff and command. His performance and polish made him one of the safest arms on draft boards, and Boston’s development track record only adds confidence.
Witherspoon features a diverse arsenal: a fastball that sits 95–96 MPH and touches 99, a plus slider, and a changeup that grades out as at least average, possibly better. He repeats his delivery well and consistently fills up the zone, giving him a strong foundation for pro success. The fastball has carry and life, the slider misses bats, and the changeup flashes fade—giving him three weapons against both lefties and righties.
Fantasy managers should treat Witherspoon as a high-floor arm with mid-rotation upside and a chance to move quickly. If the changeup continues to develop, he could push toward SP2 territory in dynasty formats. Expect him to open 2026 in High-A, with redraft relevance possible by late summer if the stuff translates cleanly.
6. Brandon Clarke (LHP)
- Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 SP with upside
- Last Updated: 11/28/2025
- Tools Summary: Fastball explodes, slider flashing, starter frame intact.
Brandon Clarke, the Red Sox’s fifth-round pick in 2024 out of State College of Florida, entered camp with a velocity bump and quickly made noise. His fastball touched the upper 90s, and he dominated Low-A in three starts (9.2 IP, 17 K, 2 BB, 0.93 ERA). But after a quick promotion, blister issues emerged—and with them, command unraveled. Whether directly linked or not, Clarke struggled to throw strikes and routinely labored through short outings, rarely escaping the third inning.
The arsenal remains enticing. Clarke works from a clean three-quarters delivery and features a fastball that sits 95 MPH (T98) with excellent ride. He added a sweeper that flashes promise but lacks consistent command, and his changeup—while playable—likely tops out as average due to his arm action. Altogether, the pitch mix and physical traits resemble a top-of-the-rotation starter, but the execution hasn’t matched the blueprint yet.
Fantasy managers should treat Clarke as a long-term upside play with significant volatility. He’s unlikely to be redraft relevant in 2026, but the raw stuff and physical traits warrant a hold in deeper dynasty formats. If the command rebounds and he proves he can handle a starter’s workload, Clarke could re-emerge as a Top 100 prospect with breakout potential.
7. Dorian Soto (SS/3B)
- Highest Level: DSL ETA: 2028+ Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 SS/3B with risk
- Last Updated: 11/28/2025
- Tools Summary: Compact swing, sneaky pop, versatile defensive fit.
Dorian Soto was the Red Sox’s most significant international signing of 2025, landing a $1.4 million bonus out of the Dominican Republic. At just 17, he already shows a strong, projectable frame with room to add meaningful strength. While forecasting teenage hitters is always tricky, Soto impressed in the DSL—slashing .307 with a 15% strikeout rate and a 9% walk rate across 47 games, flashing early bat-to-ball skills and mature plate discipline.
Speed won’t be a major part of his profile, but Soto’s swing is compact and geared for contact, with the physical foundation to grow into future power. As he fills out, he could develop into a power-hitting third baseman with real offensive impact. The early returns suggest a hitter who understands the zone and has the body type to support a middle-of-the-order ceiling if the strength gains come.
Fantasy managers should treat Soto as a long-term developmental piece with intriguing upside. He’s unlikely to be redraft relevant for several years, but the hit tool, body projection, and positional fit make him a name to track in deeper dynasty formats. If the power arrives, he could emerge as one of Boston’s top offensive prospects.
8. Juan Valera (RHP)
- Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 40 SP
- Last Updated: 11/28/2025
- Tools Summary: Electric arm, elbow risk, starter or closer path.
Juan Valera might have the most electric arm in the Red Sox system. At just 19, he’s already scraping triple digits with his fastball, and both his slider and sweeper flash bat-missing potential. He mixes in a changeup that’s still developing, but the foundation is strong: Valera repeats his delivery and throws strikes, walking fewer than 2.5 batters per nine in 2025. The command and athleticism give him a chance to stick as a starter despite the rawness.
He opened the season in High-A and impressed across eight starts before landing on the IL with elbow soreness. The Red Sox opted for rest and rehab, and by late August, Valera returned—still touching 100 MPH. The upside remains significant, especially if the changeup takes a step forward. If not, his fastball-sweeper combo could play in high-leverage relief, possibly as a future closer.
Fantasy managers should treat Valera as a high-upside arm with durability questions and role uncertainty. He’s unlikely to be redraft relevant in 2026, but the stuff is undeniable, and deeper dynasty formats should monitor closely. If he holds up physically and refines the changeup, he could emerge as one of Boston’s most impactful pitching prospects.
9. Yordanny Monegro (RHP)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2028 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 starter with upside
- Last Updated: 11/28/2025
- Tools Summary: Four-pitch mix, pre-injury dominance, post-TJ upside.
Yordanny Monegro was in the midst of another breakout campaign, posting a 2.67 ERA over nine Double-A starts with 49 strikeouts and just eight walks in 33.2 innings. He was showing swing-and-miss stuff and pounding the zone—until a June 13th start ended with a damaged UCL and eventual Tommy John surgery in early July. Given the timing, he’s likely to miss most of the 2026 season.
When healthy, Monegro features a four-pitch mix led by a fastball that touches 95 MPH and a power curveball that blends slider-like tilt with depth—his best bat-missing weapon. His changeup is also above average, and he commands all four offerings with plus control. The profile is that of a top-of-the-rotation starter, and the results were backing it up before the injury. His delivery is clean, and the strike-throwing foundation gives him a chance to rebound quickly.
Fantasy managers should treat Monegro as a stash-worthy arm in deeper dynasty formats. He’s unlikely to contribute in 2026, but the ceiling remains high if the stuff holds post-surgery. Durability and recovery will define the next chapter, and if he returns to form, he could re-emerge as one of Boston’s most impactful pitching prospects.
10. Luis Perales (RHP)
- Highest Level: Triple-A ETA: 2026-27 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 SP or Reliever
- Last Updated: 11/28/2025
- Tools Summary: Triple-digit heat, cutter weapon, command is the hinge.
Luis Perales spent most of 2025 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but returned late to toss a couple of innings—and the stuff looked electric. His fastball averaged 98.6 MPH and touched 100, and his cutter, long a staple of his arsenal, looked sharp. He didn’t throw strikes consistently, but in just 2.1 innings, he struck out four, flashing the bat-missing traits that made him one of Boston’s most exciting arms pre-injury.
The ceiling remains extremely high. Perales has the velocity, movement, and pitch mix to profile as a top-of-the-rotation starter if the command comes. If not, the fallback is still valuable: a high-leverage reliever with late-inning upside. His cutter gives him a weapon against both lefties and righties, and the fastball velocity alone will play in any role. The delivery is athletic, and the arm speed remains intact post-surgery.
Fantasy managers should treat Perales as a high-upside stash with redraft relevance possible by late 2026. The arsenal is close—it’s just a matter of whether the command returns with it. Dynasty formats should remain patient, as Perales still has the tools to emerge as one of Boston’s most impactful arms.
