Here's where Red Sox Top 30 prospects are slated to start season

With the Minor League season opening this week, here's where the Red Sox's Top 30 Prospects are projected to start:

1. Payton Tolle (MLB Pipeline No. 17), LHP -- Worcester (Triple-A)
2. Franklin Arias (No. 29), SS -- Portland (Double-A)
3. Connelly Early (No. 54), LHP -- Boston (MLB)
4. Kyson Witherspoon (No. 81), RHP -- Greenville (High-A)
5. Juan Valera, RHP -- Greenville (High-A)
6. Justin Gonzales, OF -- Greenville (High-A)
7. Jake Bennett, LHP -- Worcester (Triple-A)
8. Dorian Soto, SS -- Extended spring training
9. Marcus Phillips, RHP -- Greenville (High-A)
10. Anthony Eyanson, RHP -- Greenville (High-A)
11. Henry Godbout, 2B -- Greenville (High-A)
12. Enddy Azocar, OF -- Salem (Single-A)
13. Mikey Romero, INF -- Worcester (Triple-A)
14. John Holobetz, RHP -- Portland (Double-A)
15. Tyler Uberstine, RHP -- Worcester (Triple-A)
16. Hayden Mullins, LHP -- Portland (Double-A)
17. Miguel Bleis, OF -- Portland (Double-A)
18. Yoeilin Cespedes, 2B -- Greenville (High-A)
19. Sadbiel Delzine, RHP -- Extended spring training
20. Harold Rivas, OF -- Extended spring training
21. Gage Ziehl, RHP -- Portland (Double-A)
22. Nelly Taylor, OF -- Portland (Double-A)
23. Hector Ramos, SS -- Extended spring training
24. Dawvris Brito, SS -- Extended spring training (Dominican Republic)
25. Allan Castro, OF -- Worcester (Triple-A)
26. Eduardo Rivera, LHP -- Portland (Double-A)
27. Gerardo Rodriguez, C/1B -- Greenville (High-A)
28. Johanfran Garcia, C -- Extended spring training
29. Yordanny Monegro, RHP -- Portland (Double-A) -- IL (Tommy John surgery rehab)
30. Conrad Cason, RHP/SS -- Extended spring training (Tommy John surgery rehab)

Team to watch

The Red Sox spent three of their first four 2025 Draft picks on Southeastern Conference right-handers who can reach triple digits with their fastballs and also have impressive secondary offerings, and Kyson Witherspoon, Marcus Phillips and Anthony Eyanson all will open the season in the rotation at High-A Greenville. So does Juan Valera, another righty in the same mold. Outfielder Justin Gonzales won the Carolina League batting title (.298) last year as the second-youngest batting qualifier in the Single-A circuit, and 2025 supplemental second-rounder Henry Godbout also has quality bat-to-ball skills.

Players we could see in MLB in 2026

Left-hander Payton Tolle cracked Boston's playoff roster last October and should return to the big leagues soon after being squeezed out by offseason additions. Fellow southpaw Jake Bennett's feel for pitching should get him an opportunity as well.

New faces

Witherspoon, Phillips and Eyanson all are making their pro debuts. Bennett arrived in December via a trade that sent righty pitching prospect Luis Perales to the Nationals, while right-hander Gage Ziehl came in February as part of the Jordan Hicks deal with the White Sox. Dominican shortstop Dawvris Brito, who has average or better tools across the board and signed for $1.2 million in January, will break into pro ball in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League.

On the shelf

Right-handers Yordanny Monegro and Conrad Cason won't pitch this season after having Tommy John surgery last summer, though the latter could get some at-bats at DH. Catcher Johanfran Garcia is building up his workload in extended spring training before joining a full-season club.

How to watch

Fans can watch Minor League Baseball games for free on the Bally Sports Live app or at BallySports.com. Fans may also purchase an MLB+ subscription, which includes access to MiLB games live and on demand, in addition to live MLB audio for all 30 teams, MLB Network and MLB Big Inning. Plus -- with or without a subscription -- Minor League games featuring MLB's top prospects are available in the MiLB Free Game of the Day.