Baseball America Unveils Top 10 Red Sox Prospects For 2026
After years of building up their farm system, the Boston Red Sox began to see some of those efforts pay off this year with the arrivals of Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, Payton Tolle and Connelly Early.
While Anthony and Mayer are no longer considered prospects, the Red Sox still have a talented farm system. It’s especially promising on the mound, which is highly encouraging for an organization that struggled to develop homegrown starting pitching during the 2010s.
On Monday, Baseball America unveiled its updated prospect rankings for Boston. Not surprisingly, four of its top five prospects are hurlers.
Tolle leads the way at No. 1. A second-round draft pick in 2024, he rocketed through the Red Sox system in 2025, reaching the Major Leagues in late August and pitching in the playoffs. There’s a chance the tall 23-year-old lefty wins a rotation spot next year.
He’s followed by Franklin Arias at No. 2, Boston’s best position player prospect. The talented middle infielder just turned 20 but already reached Double-A Portland last season, putting him on a trajectory to potentially debut next season if he continues to progress.
Early checks in at No. 3. Like Tolle, he’s also a 23-year-old southpaw who debuted last season and pitched in the postseason. He could win a rotation spot next year as well.
The Red Sox’s first-round draft pick this year, Kyson Witherspoon, ranks No. 4. The 21-year-old righty is regarded as one of the top arms in this year’s draft class after dominating at Oklahoma.
Another pitcher, Luis Perales, rounds out the top five. The 22-year-old righty is still working his way back from injury after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year, but he’s regained his velocity and could debut next year after reaching Triple-A this season.
Jhostynxon Garcia, aka “The Password,” is No. 6. After appearing in five games for Boston this season, the toolsy outfielder could be ready for an extended look next year.
Juan Valera, another pitcher, ranks No. 7. He’s only 19 and pitched in High-A this season, so he still has a ways to go in his development.
The Red Sox’s No. 8 prospect, Justin Gonzales, is only 18 but also advanced to High-A this year. Yhoiker Fajardo, 19, is another promising arm at No. 9 after turning heads at A-ball this year.
Infielder Dorian Soto rounds out the top 10. He’s only 17 but played well in the Dominican Summer League this year.
Six of Boston’s top 10 prospects are pitchers, according to Baseball America, which bodes well for the organization’s future on the mound.