Where ESPN Ranked Red Sox Among MLB’s Best Team Cores

The Boston Red Sox have built a strong present and future foundation. A recent ESPN examination reflected the organization’s improved nucleus.

ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel ranked each team on the strength of its core talent. The analysis considered players under contract over the next two seasons, excluding Alex Bregman and other players who can test free agency this offseason.

Boston jumped to No. 7, a notable climb for a franchise that McDaniel ranked No. 24 in 2022 and 2023. The Red Sox soared into the top 10 after placing No. 13 last year.

“Very few players (mostly, those acquired at the deadline) aren’t under team control for multiple years, so the Sox set up well for this exercise,” McDaniel wrote.

McDaniel highlighted elite, plus and solid players from each team. While Garrett Crochet was the only Red Sox to earn an elite classification, he noted that Roman Anthony could join that tier next year. McDaniel also considers outfielders Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu plus players.

Brayan Bello and Carlos Narváez comprise the solid grouping along with several rookies who have joined the team this season (Marcelo Mayer, Kristian Campbell, Payton Tolle and Jhostynxon Garcia). McDaniel still values the injured Triston Casas, Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck and highlighted three pitching prospects (Connelly Early, Luis Perales and Kyson Witherspoon) capable of making an impact as soon as next season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers topped McDaniel’s list for the second straight year. The second-ranked Seattle Mariners are the only American League team positioned ahead of Boston.

Be extra nice to any Colorado Rockies fans, as the team ranked dead last for the fourth consecutive year.