Don’t forget to pick up your copy of the The 2024 Prospect Digest Handbook here.
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1. Marcelo Mayer, SS
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 50/60 | 40/50 | 60 | 50 | 50/55 | 60 |
Background: The Red Sox have had an impressive run of shortstops over the past several decades beginning with John Valentin and continuing through the end of Xander Bogaerts’ tenure basically uninterrupted. In other words, they’re kind of in uncharted waters for the time being, at least until Trevor Story can stay on the field or Marcelo Mayer can make his way up to The Bigs. But there’s something else fascinating about the Red Sox’s string of shortstops, or maybe just their shortstops in general. They’ve never really hit on a high school shortstop in the first round of the draft. They’ve missed plenty of times on guys like Joel Bishop, Ted Cox, Ryan Dent, Casey Kelly, and Michael Chavis, so the Fenway faithful have to be rooting for Mayer’s continued development. The fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft class, one which was extraordinarily heavily on shortstops early on, Mayer has looked the part of a potential franchise cornerstone throughout the majority of his minor league career. The 6-foot-2, 188-pound middle infielder looked steady in the Complex League during his debut (.275/.377/.440) and he followed that up by hitting .280/.399/.489 in 91 games between Low-A and High-A in 2022. Last season, Mayer started off in similar fashion as he slugged .290.366/.524 with 11 doubles, one triple, seven homeruns, and five stolen bases in only 35 games back with Greenville. His numbers, though, took a dramatic downfall after his promotion up to Double-A, the minors’ toughest challenge. The former first round pick batted a pathetic .189/.254/.355 with eight doubles, one triple, and six homeruns in 43 contests with Portland. His production, during his first – and certainly not his last – stint in Double-A was 37% below the league average, per Weighted Runs Created Plus. A left shoulder issue knocked him out of action in early August.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: There’s a little more-and-miss to his game than expected, but it shouldn’t be a problem in the long term. Defensively, he should have no problems sticking at the position and may even sneak into a couple Gold Glove conversations.
Scouting Report: For the second consecutive season Mayer (A) missed considerable time and (B) accrued less than 100 games in a season. The talented shortstop’s 2023 season was curtailed in early August due to a shoulder impingement (and he suffered a setback before Thanksgiving, though it’s not expected to inhibit his start to 2024). With that being said, it’s difficult to determine how the shoulder impacted his performance, particularly after his promotion up to Double-A. For now, Mayer’s struggles in Double-A aren’t overly concerning. He owns a lightning quick bat that’s built for peppering doubles and slugging 20+ homeruns at Fenway Park. He handles righties and lefties well and could contend for a batting title or two at the big league level. Defensively, he’s rock solid, above-average. Mayer is still tracking like a potential .310/.390/.450 type hitter at the game’s pinnacle level.
Ceiling: 4.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024
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2. Ceddanne Rafaela, SS/CF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 55 | 45 | 55 | 40 | 70 | 55 |
Background: It might not be the best $10,000 the Boston Red Sox have ever spent, but it’s certainly on the short list of better investments, particularly over the past couple of decades. But that’s what the club handed the young Curacaoan prospect in 2017. Rafaela plodded through the foreign and stateside rookie leagues, as well as Low-A without raising much notoriety. But the pint-sized dynamo had a massive breakout in 2022. Splitting time between Greenville and Portland, the 5-foot-9, 165-pound middle infielder / centerfielder bashed .299/.342/.539 with 32 doubles, 10 triples, 21 homeruns, and 28 stolen bases (in 35 attempts) in only 116 games of action. Last season, Rafaela continued his assault on minor league hurlers as he slugged .302/.349/.520 with 31 doubles, three triples, 20 homeruns, and a career best 36 stolen bases (though he was caught 13 times)in 108 games. Per Weighted Runs Created Plus, his overall production topped the league average threshold by a rock solid 23%. Boston called up the then-22-year-old prospect and let him get acclimated for what should be a very promising big league career. Rafaela batted .241/.281/.386 with eight extra-base hits in 28 games (89 plate appearances) with the Red Sox.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: One of the best athletes in a farm loaded with tools. The lone knock thus far has been his walk abhorrence as he’s found first base via the walk in fewer than 6% of his plate appearances since the start of 2021. Meaning: his offensive value is only going to go as far as his batting averages take him.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, only four 22-year-old hitters met the following criteria with one club in any Double-A league (min. 250 PA): 105 to 115 wRC+, a 4.5% to 6.5% walk rate, and a 19.5% to 21.5% strikeout rate. Those four bats: Oscar Mercado, Mike McDade, Keury De La Cruz, and – of course – Mr. $10,000, Ceddanne Rafaela.
Always aggressive at the plate, Rafaela’s Statcast data in Triple-A only supports that notion. The part-time shortstop / part-time second baseman / sometimes centerfielder makes a lot of in-zone contact but expands the zone frequently as well. He doesn’t strike out all that frequently (21% of the time in 2023), and he can absolutely put a jolt into the ball. Rafaela tallied a 48% Hard Hit Rate with Worcester. Plus defender in centerfield. He profiles as a sparkplug and impact glove for a contender, like the Red Sox. He’s a potential .280/.330/.430 bat.
Ceiling: 3.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: Debuted in 2023
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3. Roman Anthony, CF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 55 | 40/45 | 40 | 55 | 50 | 55 |
Background: The 2022seasonbrought about something that hadn’t happened in decades.For the first time since the organization grabbed Josh Garrett (26th overall), Chris Reitsma (34th overall), and Gary Locurto (39th overall) all the way back in 1996, the Red Sox used their first three picks on high schoolers in 2022, nabbing Mikey Romero (24th), Cutter Coffey (41st), and Roman Anthony (79th). Interestingly enough, it was Anthony, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound centerfielder, that earned the largest bonus of the three, signing with the historic franchise for a hefty $2.5 million pact. The Florida-born outfielder batted a solid, though punchless, .306/.374/.361 during his 20-game debut between the Complex League and Salem later that summer. Last season, Anthony kicked it into hyper-drive as he motored through 42 games back in Low-A, another 54 games with Greenville in High-A, and a 10-game cameo in Double-A. He slugged an aggregate .272/.403/.466 with 27 doubles, four triples, 14 homeruns, and 16 stolen bases (in 23 total attempts). His production, according to Weighted Runs Created Plus, topped the average by 43%.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: Lean, but strong, muscular. Average arm and speed, Anthony may eventually move away from center field as his wiry frame begins to fill out. Lefty-swinging hitter with a prototypical line-drive swing and doesn’t project to hit more than 20 homeruns during his peak. Solid all around approach, but there doesn’t seem to be a true standout offensive tool.
Scouting Report: With respect to his work in the South Atlantic League, consider the following:
Since 2006, only three 19-year-old kids posted a wRC+ of at least 160 with one club in any High-A league (min. 225 PA): Jackson Holliday, the consensus Top Prospect in baseball, Wil Myers, who was a consensus top prospect during his minor league time, and – of course – Roman Anthony. But here’s the thing, though, Holliday and Myers posted very solid contact numbers during their High-A tenure, 20.9% and 15.8%. Anthony whiffed in more than 30% of his PAs.
Anthony’s High-A numbers are intriguing, not because of the dominance – and he definitely was dominant – but because his swing-and-miss numbers are way out of whack compared to anything else he’s shown so far. He’s a tough at bat due to his ability to fight off quality pitches, as well as layoff off offerings just off the plate. His swing is interesting because it’s not geared toward hitting the long ball and his batted ball data backs that up. He’s putting the ball on the ground north of 50%. Very, very patient approach at the plate, he’s tracking a 55-grade bat with strong OBP skills, 12 or 15 homers, and a handful of bags. It looks like he has enough leather to stay in center, where his offense profiles better.
Ceiling: 3.5-win player
Risk: Moderate to High
MLB ETA: 2024
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4. Kyle Tell, C
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 55 | 50 | 35 | 55 | 50 | 55 |
Background: The Los Angeles Dodgers’ 1989 draft class was a rather forgettable one – except that their third round selection, Phil Nevin, would eventually go on to become the top overall pick three years later after a stout career at California State University. Buried down deep in their draft class was a college backstop from William Paterson University, who would eventually spend parts of five non-descript, light-hitting seasons in the low levels of the minor leagues. That catcher: Garett Teel, who would bat a paltry .166/.270/.223 in 107 professional games. Twenty-four years later Garett’s oldest kid, Kyle, became the first college backstop (and second catcher overall) taken off the board in the midsummer draft, making him the highest drafted Cavalier catcher in school history. A rock solid starter since his true freshman season in 2021, the lefty-swinging backstop opened up his collegiate career by slugging .335/.416/.526 with 11 doubles, one triple, and nine homeruns for the Cavaliers. He would spend the ensuing summer splitting time between the National Squad (.233/.343/.333) and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters in the Northwoods League (.277/.436/.426). Like fellow 2023 early first rounder Jacob Gonzalez, Teel’s production took a noticeable step back during his sophomore season as he batted .276/.402/.439 with just 12 doubles, three triples, and six homeruns. And he struggled during his brief stints with Team USA and the Harwich Mariners in the Cape Cod League. But things seemed to click for Teal as he put together a borderline historic season to cap off his career. Appearing in a career best 65 games for the ACC powerhouse, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound backstop mashed .407/.475/.655 with 25 doubles, 13 homeruns, and five stolen bases in 2023. Boston grabbed Teel in opening round last summer, 14th overall, and signed him to a deal worth $4 million. He batted a sizzling .363/.483/.495 during his debut in the Complex League, High-A, and Double-A.
Scouting Report: Pre-draft write-up:
“Consider the following:
Since 2011, only two (2) ACC hitters have eclipsed the .400 batting average mark in a season (min. 250 PA): Miami’s Yohandy Morales and – of course – Kyle Teel, both of whom accomplished the feat in 2023.
Teel combines explosive bat speed and a strong feel for the strike zone that allows him to pepper the ball indiscriminately around the diamond. The lefty-swinging backstop showed average power but there’s more in the tank as he continues to mature. There’s a chance for an above-average hit tool and power at full maturity. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Royals snag him with the eighth overall pick.”
Ceiling: 3.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024/2025
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5. Miguel Bleis, CF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 40/50 | 50/60 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 55 |
Background: Things turned quickly for Bleis, the former Bonus Baby off the international free agent market. The 6-foot, 170-pound outfielder was coming off of a massive campaign in the Complex League in 2022, slugging a scorching .301/.353/.543 with 14 doubles, four triples, five homeruns, and 18 stolen bases in only 40 games. And it looked like the Dominican sparkplug was going to carry that momentum over into a strong showing in the Carolina League too. He began by hitting .304/.344/.375 over his first 13 games but his bat cooled and he eventually hit the disabled at the end of May, never to return. He finished the year with a.270/.282/.325 slash line, belting out seven extra-base hits in 31 games. As for the injury, it was termed a left shoulder subluxation which eventually required surgery.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: As quick of a bat as you’ll see on any 18-year-old in the game nowadays. The lone pockmark on his otherwise phenomenal showing was the bloated strikeout rate. Bleis may be one of the bigger prospects that pop in 2023.
Scouting Report: Built physically like future Hall of Famer – and former Red Sox star – Mookie Betts. Bleis’s swing, simply put, looks so effortless, so incredible natural. It just looks like he’s going to be an impact bat. But, alas, baseball is much more than that. Blazing bat speed, power to dream on. Bleis can run well and profiles as a solid centerfield with premium defense in right field. All the ingredients are present, whether the hit tool allows him to take full advantage of that is an entirely different question.
Ceiling: 3.5-win player
Risk: High
MLB ETA: 2026
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6. Nick Yorke, 2B
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 50 | 50 | 50 | 55 | 50 | 50 |
Background: It’s not too often that a high schooler is listed as a second baseman on draft day like Nick Yorke in 2020. In fact, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Archbishop Mitty product is one of just eight teenagers that were drafted in the opening round as keystone players since 2000. And let’s just say the track record for the players taken before him is less than successful: Blake DeWitt, the former Dodgers farmhand turned into the only notable big leaguer. After sitting out the remainder of the season due to the pandemic, Yorke burst out of the gates like a bat out of hell in 2021, putting together a sizzling .325/.412/.516 slash line between Salem and Greenville. The following year, though, Yorke’s production took a noticeable – and injury-plagued – step backward as he was limited to just 80 games back in the South Atlantic League; he would cobble together a disappointing .232/.303/.365 production line, plummeting his once surging prospect status to the depths of the South Atlantic. Last year, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound second baseman had a quietly solid bounce back year in the minors’ toughest level: Double-A. Appearing in a career best 110 games with the Portland Sea Dogs, Yorke batted .268/.350/.435 with 25 doubles, five triples, 13 homeruns, and 18 stolen bases (in 23 total attempts). His production, as measured by Weighted Runs Created Plus, topped the league average mark by a solid 16%, which marked a 32-percentage point improvement from the previous season.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: Despite the significant downturn in production, Yorke seems primed for (A) significant playing time in the most challenging minor league level, Double-A, and (B) a tremendous bounce back campaign in 2023.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, only three 21-year-olds put together a 110 to 120 wRC+ mark with a 9% to 11% walk rate and a 23% to 25% strikeout rate with one club in any Double-A league (min. 350 PA): Nick Gordon, Jaff Decker, and Yorke. The former two, by the way, were once considered consensus Top 100 prospects.
Surprisingly bulky for a second baseman, Yorke’s profile has changed considerably since his fabulous debut campaign in 2021. He’s morphed from a plus hit tool, below-average power to an average hitter with matching pop. Solid defensively, though he’ll never be confused for Bill Mazeroski, Yorke is a tremendous low ball hitter and seems to have trouble making consistent, quality contact at the top of the zone. I’m still a believer in his ceiling as a quality big league second sacker. In terms of production, think: .265/.340/.420. He’s scrappy. I like scrappy players.
Ceiling: 2.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024
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7. Luis Perales, RHP
| FB | CB | CH | Command | Overall |
| 60 | 55 | 55 | 35 | 50 |
Background: Better than most organizations at finding and signing below-the-radar talent on the international scene, Luis Perales, who joined the organization on a deal worth just $75,000, is just another example on the front office’s growing list. The Guacara, Venezuela native made his professional in 2021, though it lasted exactly two innings before an undisclosed injury knocked him out for the remainder of the year. Two years ago, the 6-foot-1, 160-pound hurler split time between the Complex and the Carolina Leagues, throwing 35.2 innings with 50 strikeouts and 20 free passes to go along with a sparkling 1.77 ERA. Last season, Perales returned to Salem for some additional seasoning, making 13 starts before moving up to High-A for another eight games. He would throw a career-best 89.2 innings, more than doubling his career high entering the year, averaging 11.5 punch outs and a whopping 5.0 walks per nine innings. He tallied a 3.91 ERA between both affiliates.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: If it weren’t for the facial hair, you’d assume that Perales was working for your local U15 traveling team. Then you watch unfurl one of the most explosive 95-mph heaters in the minor leagues and question everything you thought about the generously listed 6-foot-1 right-hander. He’s definitely a name to watch in 2023.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, there have been seven 20-year-old hurlers that tallied a 30.5% to 32.5% strikeout percentage with an 11.5% to 13.5% walk percentage with one club in any Low-A league (min. 50 IP): Matt Manning, Brailyn Marquez, Robinson Pina, A.J. Alexy, Alexander Smit, Jhancarlos Lara, and Luis Perales.
A short-arm swing with a high, over the top release that creates some added life at the top of the zone. The young right-hander features a plus, mid- to upper-90s heater hovering in the 96 mph range. He features an above-average power curveball, and one helluva changeup, of the power variety, of course. Perales’s command / control plateaued since joining the organization, so there’s obvious reliever risk. The repertoire suggests a quality #4-starter if he can push his command into the 45-grade range. Definite room for improvement in the ceiling.
Ceiling: 1.5- to 2.0-win player
Risk: High
MLB ETA: 2026
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8. Wikelman Gonzalez, RHP
| FB | CB | CH | Command | Overall |
| 60 | 60 | 55/60 | 40 | 50 |
Background: The hurler’s weight, if you’re so inclined to believe the online MiLB biographies, has yo-yoed quite a bit throughout his young career, going from a wispy 147 pounds at the time of his signing up to 200 pounds heading into the 2023 season and now back down 167 pounds. It’s likely not accurate, but it’s what’s listed. Either way, though, no matter how Gonzalez’s weight may – or may not – fluctuate he’s continued his ascension through the club’s farm system with a fat total of strikeouts (he’s averaging 11.6 K/9 for his career) and a bloated number of walks (4.8 BB/9). And his 2023 campaign was the epitome of that. Splitting time between Greenville (15 starts, 63.0 innings) and Portland (10 starts, 48.1 innings), Gonzalez struck out an impressive 168 hitters but managed to miss the strike zone so frequently that he issued 70 free passes. He finished the year with averages of 13.6 K/9, a career high, and 5.7 BB/9, also a career high, with a 3.96 ERA.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: A bit of a silver lining: he finished the year on a high note, walking just eight over his final 28 innings. Mid-rotation caliber potential, definitely more if he can throw consistent strikes – particularly with his offspeed offerings.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, only four 21-year-old hurlers have tallied a strikeout percentage north of 35% with one club in any High-A league (min. 60 IP): Connor Phillips, DJ Herz, Will Klein, and –of course – Wikelman Gonzalez. Perhaps coincidentally – or not – each of the aforementioned pitchers posted a massively high walk percentage or at least 12.5%.
Gonzalez may not have the best repertoire in minor league baseball, but he’s certainly among those that should get mentioned in the conversation. The former international free agent features a mid- to upper-90s plus fastball, a plus curveball, and an inconsistent, yet devastating changeup that garners plenty of swing-and-misses (when he can throw it for strikes). Gonzalez is a max effort guy that lets it fly on every pitch. It doesn’t matter is it’s a fastball or offspeed offering. It doesn’t matter if he’s ahead or behind in count. It doesn’t matter if runners are on or the bases are empty. He’s throws it hard every single time. It’s going to a miracle to get Gonzalez to throw strikes consistently. He’s young enough that someone within the organization may be able to work wonders, but the odds aren’t high. Impact relief floor if nothing else.
Ceiling: 2.0-win player
Risk: High
MLB ETA: 2024/2025
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9. Blaze Jordan, 1B/3B
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 55 | 45/50 | 30 | 50 | 45 | 45 |
Background: Jordan burst onto the scene with as much hype as any third round pick in recent memory – maybe even in the draft’s history. And you know what? He’s quietly been one of the better, more consistent bats in the minor leagues throughout the duration of his career. Jordan, who rose to fame thanks to his prolific homeruns throughout his amateur career, has shown a better hit tool and not quite as much pop as once prognosticated. Two years ago, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound corner infielder batted .289/.363/.445 with 30 doubles, three triples, 12 homeruns, and a quintet of stolen bases (in six attempts). Last season, he – once again – split time between two separate levels, going from a second tour in the South Atlantic League on up to Portland in Double-A. He finished the year with an aggregate .296/.351/.481 with career bests in doubles (32) and homeruns (18) along with a three-bagger and a pair of swipes. Jordan’s overall production, as measured by Weighted Runs Created Plus, topped the league average mark by 24%, another quietly solid showing by the first / third baseman.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: Each time he digs in at the dish he has bad intentions. Bobby Dalbec with a better hit tool.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, only two 20-year-old bats posted a 140 to 150 wRC+ mark with a K-rate between 13% and 16% with one club in any High-A league (min. 300 PA): Tyson Gillies, a participant in the 2009 Futures Game, and Blaze Jordan.
Jordan’s not only quelled any questions about his hit tool, but he’s proven that it’s quietly becoming an above-average weapon. His pitch recognition, especially on breaking balls, is solid. And I’m still betting that the plus raw power eventually starts to show up in games at some point, even if it hovers in the 20-homer range. He’s pretty slow and plodding. And he’s certainly not a true third baseman either. But there’s some Josh Naylor-type qualities developing here.
Ceiling: 1.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024
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10. Mikey Romero, 2B/SS
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 55 | 40/45 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 45 |
Background: Romero was the first of three straight high school selections by the Red Sox to open up their 2022 draft class. And, perhaps surprisingly, the front office would go on to snag just one more prep prospect among their next 10 picks. Romero’s selection also marked the second consecutive season in which the brass opted for a high school shortstop in the opening round, and their fourth straight draft where they selected a prep hitter with their first pick as well. A product of Orange Lutheran High School, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound lefty-swinging infielder got off to a torrid start to his professional career, slashing an impressive .304/.368/.506 with 11 extra-base knocks in only 19 games between the Complex League and Salem. But as well as his debut went, his follow up campaign went just as poorly. Missing the first several months of the year due to back issues, which is never a good sign, Romero would make his 2023 debut in the Complex League in late June, going 6-for-24 with a double. The brass would push him up to Salem at the end of the first week of July, but after a strong start with the club’s Low-A affiliate, Romero, who batted .310/.355/.379 in seven games, quickly turned cold and never recovered as he hit .164/.241/.247 the rest of the year.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: Romero has the defensive chops to stick at shortstop, but the [young] infielder lacks the arm strength to make deep throws. A move to second base seems likely – and that’s before considering that the club’s top prospect – Marcelo Mayer – isn’t moving away from the infield’s most important position. Good bat but lacks current power, Romero projects to add 12- to 15 homeruns at his peak with plenty of doubles in the gaps.
Scouting Report: It was basically a lost year for Romero with nothing to be gleaned from his limited, injury-stricken campaign. With that being said, Romero remains one of the tougher at bats in the club’s lower levels, never giving in, always fighting off tough pitch after tough pitch. He looked rusty when I saw him, just a bit off timing wise at the plate. His 2024 season will go a long ways towards pointing which path he’s going to take – big league starter or utility man extraordinaire.
Ceiling: 1.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2025/2026
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All statistics were provided via the following website: Baseball Reference, FanGraphs, TheBaseballCube, BaseballProspectus, ClayDavenport.com, Baseball America, and X-user @mk237700 (for compiling Statcast Data)
