April 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Minor Notes: Clarke, Tolle, and Rodriguez make Red Sox system debuts
Highly touted draftees make professional debuts
A pair of promising left-handed pitchers selected in the 2024 draft, second-rounder Payton Tolle and fifth-rounder Brandon Clarke (pictured), took the mound for the first regular-season appearances of their professional careers last week. Clarke's start last Thursday was arguably the highlight of the week for the system, as the 19th-ranked prospect threw four perfect innings and struck out five batters, generating nine whiffs on 40 pitches. Tolle's professional career got off to a less auspicious start, as he allowed six runs on five hits and three walks in 1 2/3 innings last Tuesday in the notoriously hitter-friendly McCormick Field in Asheville, NC. Tolle, the 13th-ranked prospect in the system, will hope for smoother sailing as he makes his first start at home in Salem this week.
Rodriguez enters rankings at no. 17
Acquired from Milwaukee in a surprise April trade, outfielder Yophery Rodriguez made his debut in the Red Sox system and in the SoxProspects.com rankings last week. Rodriguez was assigned to Greenville and is off to an impressive start in his first four games with the Drive, going 4 for 14 with a double, a triple, and four walks. The 19-year-old Rodriguez has potential for five tools that are average or better and has a chance to stick in center field. Rodriguez debuts as the 17th-ranked prospect in the system and is ranked in a similar tier as Jhostynxton Garcia (14th) and Miguel Bleis (15th). With Roman Anthony likely to graduate from prospect status at some point during the 2025 season, Rodriguez has the potential to emerge as one of the most interesting outfield prospects in the organization going forward.
Fitts to 15-day IL with pectoral strain
Richard Fitts was removed from his start on Saturday after he expressed discomfort in his right shoulder area following a pitch in the sixth inning. The Red Sox announced Sunday that they had placed Fitts on the 15-day injured list with a right pectoral strain. Fitts had put together an excellent performance up to that point on Saturday, tossing five scoreless innings and punching out five batters against the White Sox, and he has pitched well in Boston early this season. Through 3 starts and 17 innings, Fitts has a 3.18 ERA with 13 strikeouts and 5 walks. In a corresponding move, the Red Sox selected right-hander Michael Fulmer from Triple-A Worcester. Fulmer has allowed four earned runs in 11 2/3 innings in Worcester this season, striking out 18 batters. The Red Sox have not yet announced how they plan to fill Fitts' spot in the rotation. Both Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito are expected to make one more rehab start before returning to the major league club. The team has an off day this Thursday, so they could skip the fifth slot in the rotation and wait until Bello and Giolito are ready to return. Michael Fulmer, as well as Worcester 40-man roster options Hunter Dobbins and Cooper Criswell, could be candidates to make a spot start if the Red Sox choose to go that route.
Red Sox sign Grandal to minor league deal
In more injury news for the Red Sox, catcher Connor Wong was placed on the 10-day injured list after breaking his pinky finger. The Red Sox recalled Blake Sabol to serve as the backup catcher, with 21st-ranked prospect Carlos Narvaez taking the reins as the starting catcher. Narvaez has been solid behind the dish but he has hit just .212/.297/.303 through ten games. In a move to add more catching depth, the Red Sox signed free agent Yasmani Grandal to a minor league contract. Per Sean McAdam, Grandal will report to Worcester and will be able to opt out of the contract on May 1. If he is added to the major league roster, Grandal would make $1.35 million this season. Grandal, a former All-Star in 2015 with the Dodgers and 2019 with the Brewers slashed .228/.304/.400 in 72 games with the Pirates last season. Grandal is now 36 years old and the long layoff and lack of spring training may impact his performance but he has historically provided above-average offense and strong on-base skills from the catching position. Behind the plate, Grandal is a good framer but he has struggled to throw out base stealers in recent seasons.
Salem Red Sox to rebrand next season
The Salem Red Sox have announced that they will rebrand before the 2026 season. The team has not yet announced any potential names or designs but indicated that the rebrand "will usher in a bold new identity designed to celebrate the unique spirit, culture, and energy of the Blue Ridge region." The team will reveal the new name, logos, and uniforms this fall.
New podcast episode
In the latest episode of the SoxProspects.com podcast, Director of Scouting Ian Cundall and Chris Clegg of the Dynasty Dugout broke down the Red Sox' and Brewers' recent trade of Quinn Priester in exchange for Yophery Rodriguez and the 33rd pick in the 2025 draft. Ian and Chris also discussed scouting notes and early-season performances by several notable Red Sox prospects.
Additional transactions
- The Red Sox briefly recalled right-hander Robert Stock to make his first appearance in an MLB game since the 2021 season. After he allowed one run in two innings against the Blue Jays last Monday, the Red Sox designated Stock for assignment and recalled Josh Winckowski to Boston. Stock cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Worcester.
- The Red Sox released left-hander Matt Moore. The Red Sox signed Moore to a minor league contract this offseason with an opt-out before Opening Day. Moore elected not to opt out but he has battled arm soreness and has yet to appear in a game with Worcester this season. Moore pitched to a 5.03 ERA in 48 1/3 innings with the Angels last season.
- Liam Hendriks began his rehab assignment in Worcester as he worked his way back from right elbow inflammation that he experienced in spring training. Hendriks threw scoreless innings for the WooSox on Thursday and Sunday.
Where are they now?
- The White Sox recalled infielder Chase Meidroth to make his major league debut against his former organization. Meidroth played his first game against the Red Sox on Friday and showed off his outstanding plate discipline, going 1 for 1 with three walks. Meidroth, who was traded to the White Sox this winter as part of the package for Garrett Crochet, got some revenge against his former team by breaking up a no-hitter by Crochet with a single in the eighth inning of Sunday's series finale. Meidroth was ranked as the eighth prospect in the Red Sox system at the time of the trade and he was off to an excellent start with Triple-A Charlotte, hitting .267/.450/.600 with three home runs in nine games.
- After acquiring him from the Red Sox, the Brewers immediately placed Quinn Priester into their major league rotation. He made his first start with Milwaukee on Thursday against the Rockies. Priester threw five solid innings, allowing one run on six hits and two walks while striking out four.
Players of the Week for April 7-13
Abraham Toro, 1B/3B, Worcester Red Sox
5 G, 15 AB, 6 H, 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 R, 3 BB, 4 K, .400/.526/.667
Toro was signed to a minor league contract this winter after playing in 94 games with the A's last season. He impressed in spring training, slashing .310/.356/.595 with two home runs in 45 plate appearances, and entered the season as Boston's primary corner infield depth. Toro has split time between first and third base early this season and is off to a strong start with the WooSox, hitting .293/.362/.488 in 12 games.
Brandon Clarke, LHP, Salem Red Sox
1 G, 0-0, 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Clarke was absolutely dominant in his professional debut last Thursday, retiring all 12 hitters that he faced and striking out five. Clarke is a high-upside arm with a fastball that touches triple digits and he will be an intriguing prospect to watch in his first professional season. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2024 draft out of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, and received a bonus of $400,000.
Photo Credit: Brandon Clarke by Kelly O'Connor