Red Sox Protect Prospect Pair From Rule 5 Draft In 40-Man Roster Additions

The Boston Red Sox had a few key deadlines pass Tuesday with important decisions to make for the franchise’s direction this offseason.

Boston started with the news that Nick Pivetta declined the qualifying offer for a one-year, $21.05 million deal and entered free agency. That leaves the Red Sox potentially with a starter to replace but a greater avenue of doing so.

Boston also had to choose from a number of prospects to add to the 40-man roster to protect them from leaving the organization in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft. The Red Sox protected two players with the roster additions of right-handed pitcher Hunter Dobbins and outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia, per a team release.

The Red Sox designated pitchers Bryan Mata and Isaiah Campbell for assignment as corresponding moves on the 40-man roster.

Dobbins showed substantial growth with improved movement to his breaking ball to go with a fastball that ticked up into the upper-90s. Dobbins reached Triple-A Worcester to end 2024 and should be in the mix for spot starts with the Red Sox in 2025.

The Red Sox already have several talented outfield prospects and established players in that position at the MLB level. Garcia, with the fantastic nickname of “The Password” in the organization, is enticing with some serious power after a string of 16 home runs in 48 games at High-A Greenville. His brother, Johanfran, also performed well in the system prior to a season-ending injury early last season.

Boston’s prospect pool deserves attention in 2025, even with the “Big Four” on the verge of reaching the big leagues.