From bat-to-ball ability to speed, arm strength and defensive feel, the Red Sox farm system features prospects flashing loud tools that should give them a chance to impact games at the highest level.
Here’s a look at the Red Sox prospects with the best individual tools in the system:
COMPLETE RED SOX PROSPECT COVERAGE
Hit: 60 -- Franklin Arias, SS (No. 1/MLB No. 24)
The 20-year-old Arias began his career as a glove-first teenager but broke out offensively stateside, showing advanced bat-to-ball skills, strong plate discipline, and the ability to spray line drives consistently while limiting strikeouts. He held his own offensively as a 19-year-old across three levels in '25 and reached Double-A.
Honorable mention: OF Justin Gonzales
Power: 60 -- Justin Gonzales, OF (No. 5)
Gonzales brings exciting raw power with legitimate 40-home-run potential, generating huge exit velocities with his quick right-handed swing and prodigious strength. He still has work to do translating it into game action, but there is plenty of time for that, as he spent all of '25 stateside as an 18-year-old.
Honorable mention: OF Miguel Bleis
Run: 65 -- Nelly Taylor, OF (No. 15)
Taylor has well-above-average speed and is aggressive on the basepaths, giving him 25-25 upside. His wheels also make him a no-doubt center fielder. He stole 29 bases at High-A in 2025, but was also thrown out 12 times.
Honorable mention: OF Michael Bleis
Arm: 70 -- Justin Gonzales, OF
Gonzales' plus-plus arm strength helped him garner attention from scouts as a pitcher when he was an amatuer, but ultimately teams saw too much potential in the bat. Now, the arm is a weapon that plays from any outfield position, giving Gonzales added versatility.
Honorable mention: C Jorge Rodriguez
Field: 60 -- Franklin Arias, SS
Arias is the system's top defender at shortstop, where he pairs strong instincts with range to both sides, reliable hands and a strong arm. His capability on defense at a premium position gives him a high floor.
Honorable mention: OF Harold Rivas
More from MLB Pipeline:
• Top 100 prospects | Stats | Video | Podcast | Complete coverage
Fastball: 65 -- Payton Tolle, LHP (No. 2/MLB No. 28)
Tolle is 6-foot-6, but he creates so much extension that it replicates a 7-foot-4 pitcher, allowing his fastball to play well above its velocity. As it is, added strength and conditioning allowed him to add significant velo in '25, when his fastball averaged 95 mph and peaked at 99. The pitch's heavy life helps him challenge hitters consistently and set up his secondary offerings to generate whiffs.
Honorable mention: RHP Kyson Witherspoon
Curveball: 60 -- Kyson Witherspoon, RHP (No. 3/MLB No. 89)
The team's first-round pick in 2025 (15th overall), Witherspoon has an arsenal that stands out for its four above-average pitches, including three breaking balls. The curve is quickly becoming as good as any of them, a drooping low-80s hook he uses to change eye levels and contrasts with a sharp, biting slider and near triple-digit heat.
Honorable mention: RHP Sadbiel Delzine
Slider: 65 -- Anthony Eyanson, RHP (No. 11)
Eyanson's slider emerged as one of the best pitches in collegiate baseball at Louisiana State, where it developed into a 82-85 mph swing-and-miss offering with tremendous depth. Its horizontal movement entices hitters to helplessly expand the zone, and makes it especially effective against right-handed batters.
Honorable mention: RHP Kyson Witherspoon
Cutter: 60 -- Kyson Witherspoon, RHP
In addition to the curveball and a developing changeup, Witherspoon also features a plus slider that he can morph into a cutter in the upper-80s. The weapon functions as an equalizer against left-handed hitters, and Witherspoon can deploy it in any count.
Honorable mention: LHP Hayden Mullins
Changeup: 60 -- Connelly Early, LHP (No. 4)
The left-hander is more about feel than eye-popping stuff, and his plus changeup is key to his success. It's a lively cambio that lives in the low 80s and that he can throw in any count, either for get-me-over strikes as well as for swings and misses.
Honorable mention: LHP Jake Bennett
Control: 55 -- David Sandlin, RHP (No. 8)
When the 24-year-old struggled upon reaching Triple-A last season, it was no surprise that his command slumped with him. Sandlin posted a career-high walk rate as a reliever at Triple-A. But otherwise, he's issued only 2.9 walks per nine over his Minor League career, mostly as a starting pitcher.