Fort Report: Boston prospects make headlines in WBC, first cuts of the spring made

As spring training inches closer to the halfway mark and Opening Day sits just over two weeks away, there is still plenty going on in Fort Myers while the World Baseball Classic is in full swing. In the latest iteration of the Fort Report, there is plenty of news going on between both events

 

Boston farmhands stand out in WBC

While plenty of players from Boston's major league team are representing countless countries in the World Baseball Classic, a few prospects have also taken the global stage. After pitching well in the Puerto Rican Winter League this offseason, left-hand pitcher Eduardo Rivera turned in a stellar start for the island. In Puerto Rico's 5-4 extra-inning victory over Panama on Saturday night, Rivera dazzled over 4 1/3 frames. He allowed a run on a single hit with one walk while striking out five as he reached 97.4 MPH on his fastball. Rivera split time between Greenville and Portland in 2025, posting a 3.10 ERA in 87 innings. 

Although Great Britain was eliminated in short order, Jack Anderson made an impression on the first day of the tournament. Facing Mexico, the right-hander struck out three and scattered a pair of hits over three innings. In his first full season with Boston in 2025, Anderson appeared in 23 games (four starts) and registered a 4.57 ERA over 86 2/3 frames. 

In Japan, Tsung-Che Cheng was one of the top players for Taiwan. The infielder went 3 for 9 with a solo home run, two runs scored and five walks across the team's four pool play games. Cheng came over to Boston after playing with Pittsburgh in 2025 and was 1 for 6 in five spring training games before leaving for the WBC. 

Spring Breakout Game rosters announced 

The third year of the Spring Breakout Game, a day that highlights each organization's top prospects, commences next week as Boston's prospects face the top minor leaguers of the Orioles. On Thursday, the preliminary rosters for the game were announced and feature a majority of the top prospects in Boston's system. Headlining the group of position players are Franklin Arias (SoxProspects #2 prospect), Justin Gonzales (#7 prospect), Dorian Soto (#8 prospect) and Henry Godbout (#11 prospect). On the pitching side, the 2025 draft trio of Kyson Witherspoon (#4 prospect), Marcus Phillips (#9 prospect) and Anthony Eyanson (#10 prospect) headline the group as well as Juan Valera (#5 prospect). 

For the complete roster, visit the MLB website.

First cuts of spring training made

As Opening Day inches closer, the organization has begun to start optioning non-roster invitees to Minor League camp as the roster crunch begins. On Monday, eight players were optioned from the Major League roster. Pitchers Jake Bennett, Osvaldo Berrios, Hobie Harris, Vinny Nittoli and Devin Sweet as well as catchers Nate Baez and Ronald Rosario were sent down. 

Stebens gets Tommy John Surgery 

Last week it was announced that right-hander Isaac Stebens underwent Tommy John Surgery and will miss the entire 2026 season. Stebens, a 16th-round pick by the Red Sox in 2023 pitched well for Greenville in 2025, going 6-0 with a 2.15 ERA in 50 1/3 innings. He also represented the Red Sox in the Arizona Fall League, where he recorded a 3.86 ERA in seven innings of work.  

Key Links

Although he was recently optioned to Minor League camp, MassLive's Sean McAdam talked with Jake Bennett as he goes through his first spring training with Boston after being acquired over the offseason in a deal with the Washington Nationals.

Where are they now?

• Acquired by the Milwaukee Brewers prior to the start of spring training, Kyle Harrison has impressed early on with his new club. In his first outing, the left-hander tossed three innings, allowing two runs (one earned) two hits with a pair of walks and eight strikeouts on his line. Harrison was not able to carve out a spot within Boston's rotation after being part of the blockbuster trade that sent Rafael Devers to San Francisco. 
• While he never appeared in a single game in the Boston organization, former first-round pick Braden Montgomery has been fighting to make the Opening Day roster for the Chicago White Sox. In 18 spring plate appearances, the switch-hitting outfielder has slashed .412/.412/.824 with two triples, a home run and two runs driven in. Montgomery was the headliner prospect included in the deal that landed the Red Sox star pitcher Garrett Crochet. 

Minor Leaguers in MLB games

Since our last Fort Report dropped on the morning on March 3, the following Red Sox minor leaguers not in major league camp have appeared in at least one Grapefruit League game: 

Pitchers: Max Carlson, Michael Sansone, P.J. Labriola, Cade Feeney, Jorge Juan, Jay Allmer

Position Players: Corey Rosier, Caden Rose, Natanael Yuten, Enddy Azocar, Will Turner, Yophery Rodriguez, Freili Encarnacion, Mason White, Jack Winnay, Allan Castro, Nelly Taylor, Yoeilin Cespedes, Miguel Bleis, Justin Barry, Andrews Opata, Frederik Jimenez, Ahbram Liendo, Anderson Fermin, Avinson Pinto, Justin Gonzales, Isaiah Jackson, Marvin Alcantara 

Photo Credit: Franklin Arias by Kelly O'Connor

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