Former Red Sox prospect James Tibbs III named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week

Former Red Sox prospect James Tibbs III has been named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week for the week of March 31-April 5, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday.

Tibbs, now a member of the Dodgers organization, had a monster week for Triple-A Oklahoma City in its series against Las Vegas. Appearing in all six games, the left-handed hitting 23-year-old went 10-for-25 (.400) with one double, five home runs, five RBIs, nine runs scored, four walks, and seven strikeouts. He doubled and homered on Tuesday, recorded two more hits on Wednesday, homered again on Thursday, singled and scored one run on Friday, went deep three times on Saturday, and drew one walk on Sunday.

Even after going hitless in Sunday’s series finale, Tibbs is still slashing a ridiculous .474/.535/1.184 with four doubles, one triple, seven home runs, 13 RBIs, 15 runs scored, five walks, and nine strikeouts through nine games (43 plate appearances) for Oklahoma City to begin the season. That includes a .500/.563/1.357 line against lefties and a .458/.519/1.083 line against righties, albeit in a limited sample.

Among those who have made at least 40 trips to the plate in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League early on in 2026, Tibbs ranks first in batting average, slugging percentage, OPS (1.719), isolated power (.711), wOBA (.716), and wRC+ (336), second in on-base percentage, and seventh in line-drive rate (24.1%), per FanGraphs.

On the other side of the ball, Tibbs has made seven starts in right field and two starts at first base for Oklahoma City thus far. At the former, the 5-foot-11, 201-pounder has recorded one assist and committed one error in 12 chances. At the latter, he has yet to commit an error across 18 defensive innings.

Needless to say, Tibbs is on quite a heater to begin his second full professional season. A lot has happened since the Georgia native was selected by the Giants with the 13th overall pick in the 2024 draft out of Florida State. Despite his first-round pedigree, Tibbs was traded to the Red Sox as part of last June’s Rafael Devers blockbuster. Then, after just six-plus weeks in Boston’s system, he was dealt again, this time to the Dodgers alongside fellow outfielder Zach Ehrhard for starter Dustin May on July 31.

While the Red Sox did not get much in the way of production from May, who struggled to a 5.40 ERA in 28 1/3 innings before being shut down with right elbow neuritis in September and leaving for the Cardinals via free agency in December, the Dodgers have to be pleased with what they have seen from Tibbs.

After taking part in his first major league camp as a non-roster invitee this spring, Tibbs opened the 2026 season ranked as Los Angeles’ No. 26 prospect by Baseball America. Even if not entirely sustainable, this strong start at Triple-A should help him climb the rankings and has put him firmly in position for a potential big league debut if the need arises for an otherwise loaded Dodgers team.

(Picture of James Tibbs III: Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

Who did Red Sox send to Cardinals to complete Sonny Gray trade?

In late November, the Red Sox made their first of two significant offseason trades with the Cardinals, acquiring veteran starter Sonny Gray and cash considerations for right-hander Richard Fitts, left-handed pitching prospect Brandon Clarke, and a player to be named later or cash considerations.

On Monday, Boston completed the deal by sending minor league righty Patrick Galle to St. Louis, per announcements from both clubs. Galle will report to the Cardinals’ Low-A affiliate in Palm Beach, Fla.

Galle, who turned 22 on Sunday, gets a belated birthday present in the form of a new organization. The Mississippi native was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 17th round (508th overall) of last year’s draft out of Ole Miss. He received an at-slot $150,000 signing bonus.

Following a solid summer (1.04 ERA in 8 2/3 innings) with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League, Galle made his professional debut for Low-A Salem last August. He appeared in three games for Boston’s Carolina League affiliate to end his 2025 season and then returned to the rebranded RidgeYaks to open the 2026 campaign. Altogether, he owns a 4.91 ERA with seven walks to four strikeouts through the first four relief outings (7 1/3 innings) of his pro career.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, Galle operates with a 95-97 mph fastball that has reached 99 mph, an 89-93 mph cutter, and an 85-88 mph slider. SoxProspects.com, which did not have him ranked among Boston’s top 60 prospects, describes him as a “pure relief prospect with intriguing fastball velocity” who “needs to throw more strikes to be successful in pro ball.”

While sending Galle to the Cardinals completes the Gray deal, the Red Sox still have unfinished business involving players to be named later. They are due to send two players and receive one from the White Sox to finalize the February trade that sent righties Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin to Chicago.

(Picture of Sonny Gray: Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)

Red Sox get Rule 5 pick Jedixson Paez back from White Sox

Three days after getting 2024 Rule 5 Draft pick Angel Bastardo back from the Blue Jays, the Red Sox got 2025 Rule 5 Draft pick Jedixson Paez back from the White Sox on Saturday.

Unlike Bastardo with the Blue Jays, Paez made the White Sox’ Opening Day roster out of spring training last month despite allowing eight earned runs in 11 1/3 Cactus League innings. As a member of Chicago’s bullpen to open the 2026 season, however, the 22-year-old right-hander surrendered six earned runs on four hits (two of which were homers), three walks, and no strikeouts in his first three big league outings (three innings) before being designated for assignment on Wednesday.

Upon clearing waivers, Paez was offered back to the Red Sox for $50,000 and was officially returned by the White Sox on Saturday. He does not need to be added to Boston’s 40-man roster and is expected to join Double-A Portland, likely as a member of the Sea Dogs’ starting rotation, in the coming days.

That Paez struggled in his first taste of big league action is not necessarily surprising considering his lack of upper-minors experience. Before being selected with the second overall pick in December’s Rule 5 Draft and making his major league debut in Milwaukee on March 26, the young righty had never pitched above the High-A level. That presumably played a role in the Red Sox’ decision to leave him off the 40-man roster after last season ended.

Even with that in mind, the White Sox took a chance on a high-upside arm by paying the Red Sox $100,000 for Paez’s services. It evidently did not work out, as Chicago was unable to keep Paez on its active roster for at least 90 days. As such, Paez is back with the organization he originally signed with for $450,000 as an international free agent in July 2021.

A native of Venezuela, Paez was Boston’s 2021 Latin Program Pitcher of the Year following a strong professional debut in the Dominican Summer League. He spent all of 2022 in the Florida Complex League and parts of the next two seasons with Low-A Salem before first reaching High-A Greenville in May 2024.

Paez returned to Greenville for the start of the 2025 campaign but was sidelined for more than three months (late April until mid-August) due to a severe right calf strain. When on the mound for the Drive, the 6-foot-1 hurler posted a 2.79 ERA with 23 strikeouts to just three walks over seven starts (19 1/3 innings) in which opponents batted .228 against him. He was ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 21 prospect before briefly taking his talents to Chicago.

Lauded for his advanced feel of command and control, as evidenced by a career 3.9 walk rate in 307 2/3 minor league innings, Paez featured a five-pitch mix in his first big league stint. He averaged 91.9 mph and reached 93.4 mph with his four-seam fastball while also mixing in a changeup, cutter, sinker, and curveball, per Baseball Savant.

Like Bastardo, Paez — who does not turn 23 until next January — figures to strengthen Boston’s upper-minors pitching depth moving forward.

(Picture of Jedixson Paez: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Red Sox get Rule 5 pick Angel Bastardo back from Blue Jays

The Red Sox got former Rule 5 Draft pick Angel Bastardo back from the Blue Jays on Wednesday, per announcements from both clubs. The 23-year-old right-hander was designated for assignment last week after failing to make Toronto’s Opening Day roster and was offered back to Boston for $50,000 upon clearing waivers.

Bastardo was left off the Red Sox’ 40-man roster at the conclusion of the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery that June. That decision made him available to other clubs in that winter’s Rule 5 Draft, and the Blue Jays plucked him with the sixth overall pick (and paid Boston $100,000), knowing full well that he would be sidelined for the foreseeable future while rehabbing.

Upon switching organizations for the first time in his professional career, Bastardo spent all of 2025 on Toronto’s 60-day injured list as he continued to rehab. While he accrued a year’s worth of big league pay and service time, he was still bound by Rule 5 restrictions and therefore needed to spend at least 90 days on the Blue Jays’ active roster heading into 2026.

In his return to the mound this spring, Bastardo showed some signs of rust after a long layoff, allowing four earned runs on five hits, seven walks, and five strikeouts over 7 2/3 Grapefruit League innings (all out of the bullpen). Stuff-wise, the 6-foot-1 righty featured a mid-90s fastball that topped out at 97-98 mph and complemented it with a changeup, slider, and curveball.

Despite the intriguing arsenal, the Blue Jays determined they would be unable to carry Bastardo on their roster to open the season and elected to designate him for assignment when finalizing things last Wednesday. Another team could have claimed him off waivers or traded for him, but they would have been subject to the same Rule 5 stipulations and likely decided against it because of that.

With that being said, the Red Sox do not need to commit a 40-man roster spot to Bastardo, who returns to the organization he originally signed with for $35,000 as an international free agent in July 2018. The native Venezuelan reached the upper-minors for the first time in 2023 and returned to Double-A Portland out of camp in 2024. He posted a 5.36 ERA with 53 strikeouts to 21 walks in 10 starts (45 1/3 innings) for the Sea Dogs before blowing out his elbow and going under the knife that June. At that time, he was ranked by Baseball America as Boston’s No. 27 prospect.

Bastardo, who turns 24 in June, will now report to Fort Myers for extended spring training before any next steps are determined, according to a team source. From there, he will presumably join one of Boston’s upper-level affiliates (like Portland or perhaps even Triple-A Worcester) in the weeks ahead.

In related news, fellow Venezuelan right-hander Jedixson Paez, who was selected by the White Sox in last December’s Rule 5 Draft, was designated for assignment on Wednesday. Paez made Chicago’s Opening Day roster out of spring training but — having never pitched above the High-A level — surrendered six earned runs in three relief outings spanning three innings for the South Siders.

Paez could be claimed off waivers or acquired via trade by another team within the next week. If not, like Bastardo, the 22-year-old might soon find himself back within the Red Sox organization.

(Picture of Angel Bastardo: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Former Red Sox pitching prospect Noah Dean signs minor league deal with Nationals

Former Red Sox pitching prospect Noah Dean has agreed to terms on a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals, according to The Nats Report.

Dean was released by the Red Sox on March 19 after spending parts of four seasons in the organization. The 25-year-old left-hander was originally selected in the fifth round (159th overall) of the 2022 draft out of Old Dominion. At that time, Paul Toboni — now the Nationals’ president of baseball operations — served as Boston’s director of amateur scouting, so there is a level of familiarity there.

A New Jersey native, Dean received a $322,500 signing bonus from the Red Sox in July 2022 but did not make his professional debut until the following April. The lefty spent all of 2023 and the first half of 2024 at Low-A Salem before being promoted to High-A Greenville that July. He then returned to Boston’s South Atlantic League affiliate for the start of the 2025 campaign.

In 22 appearances (15 starts) for Greenville last year, Dean posted a 5.68 ERA with 81 strikeouts to 48 walks over 63 1/3 innings in which he held opponents to a .219 batting average. He reached Double-A Portland for the first time in September and was solid in his lone outing for the Sea Dogs, scattering one hit and one walk while striking out one across 2 2/3 scoreless frames of relief.

Altogether, Dean owns a lifetime 5.35 ERA with 284 strikeouts to 175 walks across 66 career minor league appearances (47 starts) spanning 208 2/3 innings between Low-A, High-A, and Double-A. He has struck out nearly 30% of the batters he faced while limiting opponents to a .198 clip, but his 18.4% walk rate highlights ongoing issues with command and control.

Standing at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, Dean features a 93-95 mph fastball that reaches 97 mph. The athletic southpaw has also incorporated an 80-83 mph curveball, an 88-92 mph cutter, an 82-83 mph sweep, and a 77-79 mph curveball into his arsenal in the past, as noted in his SoxProspects.com scouting report.

Dean, who just turned 25 on March 10, will presumably report to either Washington’s High-A affiliate in Wilmington or Double-A affiliate in Harrisburg in the coming days. He is the latest notable pitching prospect to go from the Red Sox to the Nationals in recent months, albeit through different means.

In December, Boston traded hard-throwing righty Luis Perales to Washington for 6-foot-6 lefty Jake Bennett, and both made their organizational debuts with their new clubs’ Triple-A affiliates over the weekend.

(Picture of Noah Dean: Gwinn Davis/Greenville Drive)

Red Sox release another top international signing after five seasons

The Red Sox have released another former top international signing in 23-year-old outfielder Juan Chacon, according to Hunter Noll of Beyond the Monster.

Chacon originally signed with Boston for $900,000 in July 2019, receiving the largest bonus of the club’s 2019-2020 international free agent class. The native Venezuelan had drawn praise as an amateur for his approach, athleticism, and speed, but he was never able to quite put it all together and climb up the prospect rankings as a member of the Red Sox organization.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic wiping out the 2020 minor league season, Chacon did not officially make his professional debut until 2021. He played in both the rookie-level Dominican Summer and Florida Complex Leagues before reaching Low-A Salem in August 2022. A left hamate injury that required surgery the following July limited him to just 57 games with Boston’s Carolina League affiliate in 2023.

Chacon made the jump to High-A Greenville in 2024 but struggled to a .203/.269/.302 line with 18 doubles, three triples, two home runs, 17 RBIs, 37 runs scored, nine stolen bases, 25 walks, and 109 strikeouts in a career-high 84 games (334 plate appearances). The right-handed hitter returned to the Drive for the start of the 2025 campaign before receiving a promotion to Double-A Portland in late April. From there, he batted .229/.311/.298 with seven doubles, one triple, 11 RBIs, 17 runs scored, three stolen bases, 14 walks, and 41 strikeouts in 51 games (151 plate appearances) for the Sea Dogs while frequently moving to and from the development list.

Overall, Chacon is a lifetime .233/.330/.318 hitter with 47 doubles, 12 triples, four home runs, 82 RBIs, 147 runs scored, 65 stolen bases, 126 walks, and 299 strikeouts over 290 career minor league games (1,130 plate appearances) across five levels. Defensively, the 6-foot-1, 171-pounder (listed height and weight) has experience at all three outfield spots. But between Greenville and Portland last year, he was used exclusively at the corners, making 35 starts in left and eight in right, where he recorded his lone outfield assist.

Chacon, who does not turn 24 until December, was slated to reach minor league free agency at the end of the 2026 season but will now do so sooner than initially anticipated. Given his speed and defensive abilities, it will be worthwhile to see if Chacon draws interest from other teams in need of upper-minors outfield depth in the coming weeks.

In addition to releasing Chacon, Noll noted that the Red Sox also parted ways with 21-year-old infielder Yohander Linarez, who had been in the organization since signing for $10,000 as an international free agent out of Venezuela in January 2022.

(Picture of Juan Chacon: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox’ Anthony Eyanson named to All-Spring Breakout Second Team after dazzling performance

It may have just been one inning of relief. Still, Red Sox pitching prospect Anthony Eyanson was unquestionably one of the standout performers in Friday night’s Spring Breakout showcase against the Orioles.

On Monday, Eyanson was recognized for his efforts, as he was named to the 2026 All-Spring Breakout Second Team by Major League Baseball.

Eyanson was the last pitcher the Red Sox used in Friday’s 3-1 loss to Orioles minor leaguers under the lights at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla. The 21-year-old right-hander was both efficient and effective, needing only 14 pitches (10 strikes) to punch out the only three batters he faced (Jose Pena, Cobb Hightower, and Ethan Anderson) in order as part of a scoreless eighth inning.

Of the 14 pitches Eyanson threw, four were whiff-inducing. He mixed in a fastball that averaged 99.1 mph and topped out at 100.2 mph, an 88-90 mph splitter, and an 82-83 mph curveball. All three of his strikeouts were recorded on his wipeout curveball, as he got two looking and one swinging.

“Obviously, I wanted to show off what I’ve been working on as far as the fastball and the splitter, and I feel like I did that tonight,” Eyanson told reporters (including The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier). “[I] really feel myself expanding as a pitcher, being able to use that splitter when I fall behind, getting that arm-side action, giving me a lot more options, especially with the fastball carrying and being a lot harder now. It’s just a lot different.”

For Eyanson, lighting up the radar gun to this extent has not always been the standard. The California native was selected by the Red Sox with the 87th overall pick in last summer’s draft out of Louisiana State, where he typically sat between 92-94 mph and topped out at 97 mph in his lone season with the Tigers. Since signing for an over-slot $1.75 million and subsequently immersing himself in Boston’s pitching development program, however, Eyanson has experienced a significant uptick in velocity.

“The velo jump is hard to ignore,” Red Sox senior director of player development Brian Abraham said of Eyanson when speaking with MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo. “He was mostly 93-95 in college, I know he touched 97, but he’s been sitting 96-98 this spring with secondaries that are advanced for where he is. He just has a really good feel for the baseball, feel to spin the ball, and can challenge the strike zone.”

As a result of reaching triple digits for the first time in a game setting on Friday, Eyanson is now the proud owner of a “Fuego” t-shirt, which the Red Sox award to all pitchers who throw 100 mph. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound righty is currently ranked by MLB Pipeline as the organization’s No. 10 prospect, while Baseball America has him slightly lower at No. 13.

Alongside fellow 2025 draftees (and SEC products) Kyson Witherspoon and Marcus Phillips, Eyanson has been the talk of minor league spring training for the Red Sox in Fort Myers. Even before officially making his professional debut (which he will likely do for High-A Greenville next month), Eyanson’s stock is already on the rise.

“It’s crazy to see the amount of progress that I’ve made,” Eyanson said. “I’m really excited. I feel almost like a brand new pitcher.”

(Picture of Anthony Eyanson: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox release another notable international signing after two seasons

The Red Sox parted ways with another notable international signing on Friday by releasing 19-year-old outfielder Edwin Brito.

As noted by SoxProspects.com’s Andrew Parker, Brito received the third-largest bonus ($450,000) in Boston’s 2024 international signing class behind only fellow Dominican outfielder Vladimir Asencio ($1 million) and Venezuelan infielder Carlos Carrasquel ($590,000), both of whom have since been released.

After signing with the Red Sox in January 2024, Brito showed signs of promise in his first professional season by batting .251/.361/.450 with six doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 32 RBIs, 27 runs scored, two stolen bases, 21 walks, and 46 strikeouts in 51 Dominican Summer League games (205 plate appearances). The right-handed hitter made the jump to the Florida Complex League in 2025 but struggled significantly, slashing just .141/.252/.212 with seven doubles, 12 RBIs, eight runs scored, three stolen bases, 10 walks, and 38 strikeouts over 32 games (115 plate appearances) in his stateside debut.

Altogether, Brito is a lifetime .211/.322/.363 hitter with 13 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 44 RBIs, 35 runs scored, five stolen bases, 31 walks, and 84 strikeouts through 83 career games (320 plate appearances) in the rookie-level Dominican Summer and Florida Complex Leagues. Defensively, the 5-foot-11, 195-pounder has spent most of his time in left field (21 starts) and right field (36 starts), while also making one appearance in center field and four starts at first base.

Despite being ranked by SoxProspects.com as the organization’s No. 54 prospect at this time last year, Brito now finds himself a free agent before playing a single game for a Red Sox full-season affiliate. Given that he does not turn 20 until November, it should be interesting to see if another club believes Brito still has room for development and is therefore worth a second chance.

(Picture of Edwin Brito: Bryan Green/Flickr)

Red Sox release former top international signing after four seasons

The Red Sox released six minor leaguers on Thursday, including one of their former top international signings.

As noted by SoxProspects.com’s Andrew Parker, Boston cut ties with 21-year-old infielder Fraymi De Leon, who received the largest bonus ($1.2 million) of the club’s 2022 international signing class.

At the time of his signing in January 2022, De Leon was ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 50 international prospect in his class. As an amateur, the Dominican native drew rave reviews for his defense, arm strength, and speed, but he was never able to put it all together at the plate as a member of the Red Sox organization.

After spending his first two professional seasons in the rookie-level Dominican Summer and Florida Complex Leagues, De Leon made stops at Low-A Salem, High-A Greenville, and Double-A Portland in each of the last two campaigns. In a career-high 88 games between the three affiliates last year, the switch-hitter batted just .190/.255/.245 with 10 doubles, one triple, one home run, 27 RBIs, 38 runs scored, 16 stolen bases, 21 walks, and 85 strikeouts over 307 plate appearances.

Overall, De Leon is a lifetime .210/.310/.264 hitter with 21 doubles, three triples, five home runs, 76 RBIs, 127 runs scored, 74 stolen bases, 91 walks, and 246 strikeouts in 253 career minor league games (903 plate appearances) across five levels. Defensively, the versatile 5-foot-10, 155-pounder (listed height and weight) has seen playing time at every position besides catcher and first base. Last season alone, he made 33 starts at second base, 24 starts at third base, 22 starts at shortstop, and four starts in left field.

Though he was never viewed among Boston’s premier prospects, SoxProspects.com does take note of the fact that the organization appeared to have respected De Leon’s “defensive skills enough to regularly call him up to cover for injured players at higher levels.”

It will now be interesting to see if De Leon, who does not turn 22 until September, can potentially latch on with another team before the 2026 season begins in the coming weeks. An organization that values his defensive versatility enough may be willing to give him another chance.

In addition to De Leon, the Red Sox also released infielders Tyler Miller and Efren Teran, outfielders Yan Cruz and Jesus Lugo, and left-hander Noah Dean on Thursday.

(Picture of Fraymi De Leon: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Why Red Sox catching prospect Gerardo Rodriguez is a name to watch in 2026

The Red Sox undoubtedly placed an emphasis on reinforcing their lower-minors catching depth over the winter. They addressed this area of need by acquiring the likes of Adonys Guzman, Ronny Hernandez, and Luke Heyman in trades with the Pirates, White Sox, and Mariners.

While Guzman, Hernandez, and Heyman represent intriguing external additions, the Red Sox are not without at least a few in-house catching prospects who may be worth keeping an eye on. One such name to watch is Gerardo Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, who turned 20 in December, is coming off a productive 2025 season that began with him repeating the rookie-level Florida Complex League. In 41 games for the FCL Red Sox, the right-handed hitter batted .279/.329/.383 with a team-high 16 doubles and 32 RBIs, 17 runs scored, seven stolen bases, 10 walks, and 23 strikeouts over 170 plate appearances.

Following the conclusion of the FCL season, Rodriguez was promoted to Low-A Salem (where he played seven games in 2024) in early August. This time around, Rodriguez got more run and ended his year on a high note by slashing .297/.372/.500 with four doubles, one triple, three home runs, 11 RBIs, nine runs scored, one stolen base, nine walks, and 13 strikeouts in 22 games (86 plate appearances) for Boston’s Carolina League affiliate.

Overall, Rodriguez slashed .285/.344/.421 with 20 doubles, one triple, three home runs, 43 RBIs, 26 runs scored, eight stolen bases, 19 walks, and 36 strikeouts in 69 games (256 plate appearances) between the FCL and Salem last year. That includes a .313/.395/.469 line against lefties and a .281/.335/.413 line against righties.

Among 43 Red Sox minor leaguers who made at least 250 trips to the plate in 2025, Rodriguez ranked third in strikeout rate (14.1%), fourth in batting average, sixth in wOBA (.370), ninth in slugging percentage and OPS (.765), 13th in on-base percentage and wRC+ (110), 16th in swinging-strike rate (10.4%), and 18th in isolated power (.136), per FanGraphs.

On the other side of the ball, Rodriguez unsurprisingly saw most of his playing time last year come at catcher. Between his stops in the FCL and Salem, the 5-foot-10, 177-pound (listed height and weight) backstop logged 327 1/3 innings behind the plate and threw out 46 of 135 (34.1%) possible base stealers. He also made 10 starts at first base, where he committed one error in 55 defensive chances, and 15 starts at DH.

A native of Venezuela, Rodriguez originally signed with the Red Sox for $50,000 as an international free agent in January 2023. He has not received much buzz to this point, but has made strides by adding strength and bat speed to his profile. Baseball America ranks him as Boston’s No. 25 prospect, while MLB Pipeline has him two spots lower at No. 27.

“He’s squat and stocky, yet moves in surprisingly quick bursts on both sides of the ball after making sizable bat speed gains with his level swing,” Rodriguez’s Baseball America scouting report reads. “Though he chases breaking balls off the plate, his 19% whiff rate and 14% in-zone whiff rate were both well above-average for his level and yielded solid contact. He generated a 102.6 mph 90th percentile exit velocity and 110.8 mph max. Rodriguez improved his ball flight in 2025, trading grounders for more liners and flyballs, which suggests an atypically solid hit tool for a catcher with fringy power. Defensively, his strong framing and blocking data suggest average potential behind the plate.”

MLB Pipeline adds: “Rodriguez will be more effective at the plate as he becomes more selective. He doesn’t strike out much, but chases more pitches than he should, lowering his quality of contact. He not only added muscle but also improved his ability to drive balls in the air, giving him 12-15 homer potential.”

Rodriguez was one of three catchers (alongside Nate Baez and Franklin Primera) named to the Red Sox’ Spring Breakout roster ahead of Friday night’s showcase against prospects from the Orioles organization in Sarasota, Fla. Looking a little further ahead, Rodriguez could very well make the jump to High-A Greenville to open his 2026 campaign next month.

(Picture of Gerardo Rodriguez: Bryan Green/Flickr)