Trade Analysis: Initial scouting reports for James Tibbs and Jose Bello

Early Sunday evening, word started to go around that the Red Sox had dealt designated hitter Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants in return for two major league pitchers, Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison, and two prospects, outfielder James Tibbs and right-hander Jose Bello. Here are our initial scouting reports for Tibbs and Bello. Please note, these will be updated with a more complete scouting report once we have seen the players in action. 

James Tibbs, OF, High-A Northwest League 

Age: 22

Started: 2024 1st round, 13th overall

Projected initial rank: 6-8

Scouting Report

Physical Description: Medium frame. Well developed lower half. Minimal remaining projection.

Hit: Starts square and vertical with his hands high. Utilizes a leg kick timing device. Quick hands and solid bat speed. Patient approach and makes good swing decisions. Low chase rate and makes consistent contact in the zone. Sees a lot of pitches and will take a walk. Runs an above-average hard-hit rate. Better against fastballs than secondary offerings, but has shown the ability to make adjustments against off-speed and spin already. Whiff rates tick up against velocity. Groundball rate has been higher in pro ball than it was as an amateur and bears watching as he moves into the high minors. Has hit lefties well in a small sample in the low minors, but struggled at times against them as an amateur. 

Power: Above-average raw power. Power plays best on pitches middle-in to the pull side, Produces solid exit velocities. Grooved swing with a slight uppercut lends itself to driving the ball with back spin. 

Run: Below-average speed. Not a major part of his game.

Field: Corner outfield-only profile. Likely best suited for left field given the complexities of playing right field  at Fenway Park. Has only played right field in pro ball, but did play left and first base in college.

Arm: Average arm strength. Solid enough for corner outfield. 

Career Notes: Drafted by the Giants in the first round of the 2024 draft immediately after the Red Sox selected Braden Montgomery. Cut his strikeout rate throughout his college career and was seen as one of the best hitters in the college class during his draft year. Traded to the Red Sox along with Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks, and Jose Bello on exchange for Rafael Devers in June 2025.

Summation: Potential bat-first platoon outfielder. Lacks a standout tool, but could get to average hit and power. Checks a lot of boxes the Red Sox look for in hitting prospects and they were reportedly interested in him in the 2024 draft. Hits the ball hard and makes good swing decisions, but could stand to show more consistency against off-speed and contact ability against velocity. 

Jose Bello, RHP, Arizona Complex League

Age: 20

Signed: Jan. 15, 2023, out of Dominican Republic

Projected Initial Rank: 40-60

Scouting Report

Physical Description: Average height, lean frame. Solid athlete. Has remaining projection.

Mechanics: Throws from a three-quarters arm slot. Short strider with a long arm action. Arm gets through quickly. Release point and delivery are inconsistent at times. Some deception in delivery.

Fastball: 92-94 mph. Tops out at 96 mph. Shape varies. The majority have arm-side run. Throws strikes, solid long-term command and control profile. 

Cutter: 90-92 mph. Throws frequently. Short, horizontal break. 

Slider: 83-86 mph. Two-plane break. Flashes bat-missing ability. Primary out pitch. Able to miss bats in the zone and get chases with it. 

Changeup: Flashed potential in the DSL, but has rarely thrown it in 2025. 

Career Notes: Signed late, at age 18. Acquired from San Francisco along with Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks, and James Tibbs in exchange for Rafael Devers in June 2025.

Summation: Intriguing right-hander whose career got off to a slow start, but has shown solid stuff and bat-missing ability in the complex leagues. Still learning how to pitch. Arsenal and size point towards the bullpen long-term. Slider has above-average potential and has shown strong bat-missing ability in the low minors. Solid ability to manipulate his fastball and keep hitters off it, and generates a lot of weak contact on the ground. To have a chance to start, needs to find a pitch to consistently get left-handed hitters out.

Photo Credit: James Tibbs III from milb.com

Ian Cundall is Director of Scouting for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter/X @IanCundall and on Bluesky @iancundall.bsky.social.

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