October 10, 2025 at 7:00 AM
2025 SoxProspects.com Awards: Player of the Year
Player of the Year
Jhostynxon Garcia (pictured) followed up a standout 2024 season by putting up more impressive power numbers and making his MLB debut in 2025. After being added to the Red Sox' 40-man roster for Rule 5 protection purposes last November, the 22-year-old outfielder took part in his first big league camp this spring and returned to Portland for the start of the new campaign. At that time, he was ranked as the No. 14 prospect in the system.
In 33 games for Portland out of the gate, Garcia batted .256/.355/.393 with five doubles, one triple, three home runs, 17 RBIs, 19 runs scored, four stolen bases, 18 walks, and 29 strikeouts over 138 plate appearances. The right-handed hitter was then somewhat surprisingly promoted to Worcester on May 20, but that move led to a sudden power surge. Garcia promptly slashed .292/.373/.532 with six doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 26 RBIs, 27 runs scored, 20 walks, and 46 strikeouts in his first 40 games (177 plate appearances) at the Triple-A level leading up to the MLB All-Star break in mid-July.
After representing the Red Sox at the 2025 All-Star Futures Game in Atlanta, Garcia returned to Worcester for the start of the second half and picked up where he left off by batting .318/.359/.609 with six doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 30 RBIs, 25 runs scored, two stolen bases, five walks, and 35 strikeouts over his next 26 games (118 plate appearances) through August 19. Two days later, he was called up to the big leagues for the first time as a corresponding move for fellow outfielder Wilyer Abreu, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain.
With his younger brother, catching prospect Johanfran Garcia, among those in attendance, Jhostynxon made his MLB debut at Yankee Stadium on August 22. He appeared in five games for the Red Sox over the course of the next week, going 1 for 7 with one double, two walks, and five strikeouts before being optioned to make room for utility man Nick Sogard on August 29. From there, he closed things out in Worcester and finished the season having produced a .271/.334/.498 line with 12 doubles, three triples, 18 home runs, 58 RBIs, 60 runs scored, three stolen bases, 27 walks, and 102 strikeouts in 81 games (351 plate appearances) for Boston's International League affiliate.
Despite a chilly September that included dealing with a right shoulder ailment, the 2025 campaign nonetheless represented another step forward for Garcia. Overall, "The Password" hit .267/.340/.470 with 17 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs, 75 RBIs, 79 runs scored, seven stolen bases, 45 walks, and 131 strikeouts in 114 total games (489 plate appearances) between Double-A and Triple-A. He led the organization in homers for a second straight season en route to being named Worcester's MVP, a SoxProspects.com All-Star, and the Red Sox' Minor League Offensive Player of the Year.
On the other side of the ball, Garcia saw playing time at all three outfield spots and one new position between his stops in Portland and Worcester this season. The six-footer made 83 starts in center field, 17 starts in right field, and five starts in left field, committing five errors and recording five outfield assists in 218 total defensive chances. He also made his professional debut at first base on August 17, but did not make another start there after that.
Garcia, who turns 23 in December, has come a long way developmentally since originally signing with the Red Sox for $350,000 as an international free agent out of Venezuela in July 2019. The San Fernando de Apure native is currently regarded by SoxProspects.com as the No. 6 prospect in the organization. Baseball America has him ranked as Boston's No. 5 prospect and the sport's No. 76 prospect, while MLB Pipeline has him ranked as Boston's No. 3 prospect and the sport's No. 85 prospect.
Depending on how the Red Sox navigate through the offseason ahead, Garcia should enter 2026 as a legitimate outfield depth option given his 40-man roster status, defensive profile, and ability to hit for power from the right side of the plate. At present, he is projected to begin next season with Worcester.
Photo Credit: Jhostynxon Garcia by Kelly O'Connor