Evaluating the Boston Red Sox' farm system

After reviewing the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, and Tampa Bay Rays, we're now going to take a look at the team with perhaps the best farm system in baseball. While the Red Sox got better this offseason by adding Alex Bregman, they also have a bright future thanks to some incredible young talent.

Here's a look at Boston's talent-rich farm system.

This story is part of a series analyzing the farm system for each team in the American League East. Click here to read stories about the Yankees, Orioles and Rays' farm systems.

Boston Red Sox (Divisional Rank: 1)

Ah, the Red Sox. A team that either wins the World Series or implodes spectacularly. They’re baseball’s version of an HBO drama: brilliant, expensive, and occasionally self-destructive. And while that same chaotic energy used to apply to their farm system, that's no longer the case.

One year, they’re trading Mookie Betts for a bag of baseballs. The next, they’re hoarding prospects like a dragon sitting on a pile of gold. The result? A farm system that’s loaded with talent at the moment, but could be traded just as fast.

The Strengths: High-End Talent at the Top

Roman Anthony (OF): A future top slugger?

If you don’t know Anthony's name yet, you will soon. He’s skyrocketing up prospect lists, and is currently the No. 2 prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline. He put up a .400+ OBP in High-A and was one of the best hitters in the minors in 2023. He took a bit of dip in Double-A, but improved in the Triple-A. He projects as a 25+ home run, high-OBP corner outfielder, which is the kind of bat Boston's lineup desperately needs. If he continuities to grow, he could make his MLB debut in 2025 and quickly become a five-tool player.

Kristian Campbell (2B): The next Dustin Pedroia?

Campbell tore it up in Triple-A last year, by hitting for average and power. He hits right-handed and can play into multiple positions in the field. He absolutely blew everyone away in 2024 and could end up beating Anthony to the big leagues.

Marcelo Mayer (SS): The franchise savior?

The Red Sox got Mayer with the No. 4 pick in the 2021 MLB draft, and he's grown to become one of their best prospects. It doesn't hurt that he's projecting to be an elite defensive shortstop with a sweet left-handed swing (think Corey Seager with more athleticism). He put up solid numbers in Double-A in 2023, but was limited by injuries. In 2024, he proved he could hit for average and get on base. If he takes the next step he could force his way onto the MLB roster by late summer.

Franklin Arias (SS): Special young gun

Arias is Boston's fourth prospect in the top-100 and he's looked good so far in Single-A. He's definitely behind Mayer at the position, but could still be a big league contributor in the next couple of years. Don't be surprised if his future is at third base compared to shortstop.

The Weaknesses: Pitching, Depth, and Uncertainty

If the Orioles' farm system is a factory, the Red Sox farm is more of an art project...full of potential, but we aren't sure if it'll be a masterpiece.

Where Are the Pitchers?

This is the Red Sox’s biggest problem: They simply don’t develop homegrown pitchers well and they don't have any great ones in the pipeline. Brayan Bello was the one to get excited about (and has looked great in MLB so far) but the well is pretty dry now.

Best Case Scenario: Their top-3 are legit

If Anthony, Mayer, and Campbell produce like they should at the major league level than Boston will be serious threats for the World Series every season. They're all on the cusp of breaking into MLB, and could help lead Boston's next core. All three of these guys could be better players than than Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero jr

Worst Case Scenario: Lack of patience causes panic

The Red Sox have been in constant transition mode for the past couple years, and they can't afford to panic now. They should commit to their youth movement, but they're an unpredictable franchise.

Final Verdict: If they stay the course, they could soon be the class of the American League East

They have the talent to build something great, but do they have the patience? If they keep Mayer, Anthony, and Campbell, they could form the foundation of the next great Red Sox team. But if they panic and trade them away in a short-term move, they could be stuck in mediocrity for years.