June 24, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Minor Notes: Tibbs and Bello enter rankings; Tolle promoted to Portland
Players acquired in Devers trade debut in Sox system
Three of the four players acquired in the Devers trade made their first appearances in the Red Sox organization during the last week. James Tibbs III entered the SoxProspects.com rankings as the eighth prospect in the system and made his debut at the Double-A level. In five games with the Sea Dogs, Tibbs has gone 5 for 19 with a double and a triple. Jose Bello, ranked No. 45, threw two scoreless innings on Monday in his first appearance with the FCL Red Sox. Jordan Hicks began his rehab assignment on Sunday as he returns from a toe injury. He started the game for the WooSox and allowed two runs in 2/3 of an inning. Kyle Harrison has not yet pitched for the WooSox but he threw a bullpen on Saturday and is expected to start on Thursday this week.
Tolle, Rivera, Brannon promoted to Portland
On Sunday, Josh Ball reported (since confirmed by SoxProspects.com Executive Editor Chris Hatfield with a team source) that the Red Sox will today promote left-handed pitchers Payton Tolle (pictured, above) and Eduardo Rivera, as well as catcher/first baseman Brooks Brannon, from High-A Greenville to Double-A Portland. Tolle, who ranks fifth in the system, was outstanding in the first stop of his professional career after being drafted in the second round last year. In 49 2/3 innings with the Drive, Tolle posted a 3.62 ERA with 79 strikeouts and 14 walks. Rivera pitched to a 1.61 ERA through 44 2/3 dominant innings in Greenville. Brannon has hit .270/.313/.398 in 55 games this season and his elite raw power makes him one of the more interesting catching prospects at a position with limited depth in the Red Sox system.
Further moves are expected on Tuesday, one of which Hatfield reports will be left-handed pitcher Shea Sprague moving back up from Low-A Salem to Greenville. In 42 2/3 innings in Salem this year, Sprague has a 4.01 ERA and 1.31 WHIP, striking out 48 hitters to 16 walks. He made a scoreless, 3 1/3-inning appearance for Greenville earlier this month when the Drive staff was particularly thinned by injuries. Also, another left-hander, PJ Labriola, has been promoted already today from the FCL to Salem. Signed from the independent New York Boulders in May, the 24-year-old Labriola made four appearances in the FCL but now moves up to a level that will likely be more age-appropriate.
Campbell optioned to Worcester
The Red Sox optioned Kristian Campbell to Worcester on Friday. One of the top prospects in baseball entering the season, Campbell got off to a fast start, winning AL Rookie of the Month for March/April. However, he has struggled on both sides of the ball since the start of May. Overall, he is hitting .223/.319/.345 and has been worth -8 outs above average in the field. After a hitless first game on Saturday, Campbell was 2 for 4 with a double, a triple, and a walk on Sunday. While Campbell was the designated hitter in his first two games with the WooSox, he is expected to play first base soon.
On Sunday, the Sea Dogs threw a no-hitter against Akron. David Sandlin (pictured, right) threw the first six innings of the game and was absolutely dominant, striking out nine hitters and walking three. Christopher Troye tossed two innings and Jonathan Brand closed out the final inning of a 10-0 win for Portland.
Monegro out for the season
Yordanny Monegro will undergo Tommy John Surgery and miss the rest of the season, as well as a significant part of 2026. Monegro had been excellent through 33 2/3 innings in Portland, striking out 49 batters with a 2.67 ERA. Monegro is eligible for the Rule 5 draft after this season and was in position to be added to the 40-man roster following his strong start. The Red Sox will now face a difficult decision on whether to protect Monegro as he will be out for the remainder of this year and likely much of next season as well.
New podcast episode
On the latest episode of the SoxProspects.com podcast, Chris and Ian discussed the ramifications of the Devers trade and the path forward for the Red Sox.
Additional transactions
- Wilyer Abreu played in two games for Worcester last week and was activated from the 10-day IL for the start of Boston's series in San Francisco on Friday night.
- Tanner Houck struggled in the first appearance of his rehab assignment for Worcester, allowing a run on two hits and a walk in one inning.
- The Red Sox placed Hunter Dobbins on the 15-day IL with a right elbow strain and recalled Richard Fitts from Worcester. Fitts has a 4.71 ERA in 21 innings in the majors this season.
- The Red Sox traded Zach Penrod to the Dodgers in exchange for cash considerations. Penrod threw 6 1/3 innings in Worcester this season after a left elbow strain in spring training.
- Portland activated 10th-ranked prospect Mikey Romero and Jeremy Wu-Yelland from the 7-day IL, while placing Blake Wehunt and Tyler Miller on the 10-day IL. Andrew Parker reports that Wehunt suffered a lat strain and is only expected to miss one start.
Where are they now?
Wikelman Gonzalez made his major league debut for the White Sox on Friday. In two innings against the Blue Jays, Gonzalez allowed one run on one hit and two walks while punching out two batters. After four starts in Double-A Birmingham to start the season, the White Sox promoted Gonzalez to Triple-A and moved him to the bullpen. In 12 relief appearances for Triple-A Charlotte, Gonzalez pitched to a 2.75 ERA with 21 strikeouts and 14 walks. Gonzalez was part of the package the Red Sox traded to Chicago in exchange for Garrett Crochet in December.
Players of the Week for June 17-23
Vaughn Grissom, IF, Worcester Red Sox
5 G, 18 AB, 7 H, 5 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R, 3 BB, 3 K, .389/.455/.833
Grissom was on fire over the last week, collecting five doubles in five games. Grissom's performance on Saturday, in which he went 3 for 5 with a home run, was the highlight of his week. The 24-year-old Grissom has hit .265/.343/.403 while seeing time at all four infield positions in Worcester this season.
David Sandlin, RHP, Portland Sea Dogs
1 G, 1-0, 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 9 K
Sandlin led the Sea Dogs to a combined no-hitter with six phenomenal innings on Sunday. Sandlin, who touches the upper 90s with his fastball and flashes a plus slider, had his electric stuff on full display as he generated nine strikeouts and 14 swings and misses. The 13th-ranked prospect in the organization, Sandlin has a 3.90 ERA and has struck out 62 batters in 60 innings with Portland this season.
Photo Credit: Payton Tolle and David Sandlin by Kelly O'Connor