Under the Radar Prospects: Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are the subjects of this week's installment of under the radar prospects

The Boston Red Sox are in a state of flux right now, attempting to thread the needle by shedding payroll and simultaneously remaining competitive in an already tightly contested American League East. Fortunately for Boston, help is on the way internally as several prospects made their big league debuts in 2023 and many others took important steps forward. While the Sox have several high-end prospects in their system, today we’ll explore a few of their lesser known prospects.

Yordanny Monegro, RHP - Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox signed Yordanny Monegro in early 2020 based on his projectability. They believed his wiry frame was capable of adding strength that would turn into more velocity. He made his stateside debut in 2022 and struggled. However, in 2023, he started to come into his own and the performance followed. By this time, Monegro had developed three pitches including a devastating 12-6 curveball that flashes as plus while also developing a splitter to add to his arsenal. Monegro also began learning how to harness his command. He absolutely obliterated the lower level competition, forcing the Red Sox to move him quickly through the system, starting in the complex league and finishing the year in High-A.

Monegro would lead all pitchers in the Red Sox minor league system (min. 50 IP) in swinging strike percentage, inducing a swing and miss in 20% of the pitches he threw. His 34.6% strikeout rate was the second highest and his 24.9 K-BB% was best in the system. Opponents hit just .193 against him, which was the 4th lowest of qualifying Boston pitchers. Since Monegro only made two appearances with High-A, he seems likely to begin the 2024 campaign there as well. However, the Red Sox could be aggressive with the 21-year-old Monegro and advance him quickly through the system should he continue to succeed.

Chase Meidroth, INF - Boston Red Sox

After blitzing through the lower levels of the minor leagues, infield prospect Chase Meidroth is giving the Red Sox deja vu — the diminutive (listed at 5’9” and 170 lbs) Meidroth is similar in stature to former Red Sox great Dustin Pedroia — and just like Pedroia, the San Diego native has torched opposing pitching early on in his professional career.