Padres Stun Sox Late (4/4/26)

The good feeling of yesterday's Fenway opener lasted less than 24 hours as the San Diego Padres exposed the Boston Red Sox lack of offense and defense big time. The Padres broke out to a 2-1 lead over the hapless Sox bats and knocked Connelly Early out of the game after just four ineffective innings. Due to the Red Sox bullpen tossing four shutout innings and an 8th inning rally, the Sox tied it up. There, Sox manager Alex Cora made a big mistake by putting Roman Anthony in left field. Ramon Laureano hit a ball to Roman in the top of the ninth that Roman threw away for an error to allow the winning run to sore, making a loser out of Aroldis Chapman (0-1, 2.25 ERA). The Padres held the Sox to just 8 hits and 2 runs as they knocked off the Sox 3-2 at Fenway Park.

Early got the ball in the top of the first inning and Fernando Tatis Jr struck out swinging to start. Ramon Laureano walked but Miguel Andujar struck out swinging. Manny Machado walked but Xander Bogaerts popped up to right to end the inning. Vasquez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Roman Anthony grounded out to first to start. Trevor Story grounded out to short and Jarren Duran struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Padres struck first in the top of the second as Freddy Fermin walked to start. Ty France singled to left to move Fermin to third but Jake Cronenworth grounded out to first. Bryce Johnson grounded out to short to score Fermin to put San Diego ahead. Tatis Jr struck out swinging to end the inning with the Padres up 1-0.

                                                           Padres take the lead

The Sox answered in the bottom of the second as Willson Contreras singled to left to begin. Wilyer Abreu walked but Caleb Durbin forced him at second. Marcelo Mayer hit a sac fly to center to score Contreras and Carlos Navaez flied out to right to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                          Mayer ties it up

The Padres scored again in the top of the third as Laureano flied out to center to start. Andujar doubled to left but Machado walked. Bogaerts lined out to left but Fermin doubled to left to score Andujar. France grounded out to third to end the inning with San Diego ahead 2-1.

                                                         Fermin drives in a run

Ceddanne Rafaela singled to center to start the bottom of the third but Anthony popped up to second. Rafaela was thrown out trying to steal second and Story grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Padres finished off Early in the top pf the fourth as Cronenworth grounded out to second to start. Johnson flied out to right and Tatis Jr struck out swinging to end the inning. Early had zero command and lasted just 4 innings allowing 3 hits and 4 walks on 88 pitches.

                                                    Early was off all day

The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the fourth as Duran singled to right to start. Contreras grounded into a double play but Abreu got a base hit to center. Durbin got a base hit in the hole at short but Mayer struck out swinging.

Ryan Watson came in to pitch the top of the fifth and Laureano grounded out to third to start. Andujar singled to left and Machado walked, but Bogaerts struck out swinging. Fermin flied out to center to end the inning. Narvaez grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fifth and Rafaela struck out swinging. Anthony tripled into the right field corner but Story grounded out to second to end the inning.

France flied out to right to start the top of the sixth and Danny Coulombe came in to pitch. Cronenworth grounded out to short and Johnson took strike three to end the inning. Duran grounded out to third to start the bottom of the sixth and Contreras lined out to right. Abreu grounded out to second to end the inning.

Justin Slaten came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Tatis Jr struck out swinging to start. Laureano flied out to left but Andujar got a base hit to left. Machado grounded out to third to end the inning. Jeremiah Estrada came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Durbin popped up to second to start. Mayer flied out to left and Narvaez flied out to center to end the inning.

Zack Kelly came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Bogaerts grounded out to short to start. Fermin struck out swinging and France grounded out to short to end the inning. Adrian Morejon came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Rafaela singled in the hole at short to start. Anthony got a base hit to right to move Rafaela to third but Story struck out swinging. Andruw Monasterio pinch hit for Duran and beat out a double play ball to score Rafaela. Contreras struck out swinging to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                               Tie game

Aroldis Chapman came in to pitch the top of the ninth with Anthony moving to left....which killed them in this inning. Cronenworth lined out to short and Nick Castellanos pinch hit for Johnson. Castellanos struck out swinging but Tatis Jr doubled to center. Laureano got a base hit to left and noodle armed Anthony threw the ball halfway to first base for an error to score Tatis. Andujar popped up to short to end the inning with the Padres up 3-2.

                                                             Padres take the lead

Mason Miller came in to close out the top of the ninth and Abreu struck out swinging to start. Masataka Yoshida pinch hit for Durbin and struck out swinging. Mayer went down hacking to end the game. The Padres had won 3-2.

 

                                                                Padres win

Jackass of the Night is Aroldis Chapman. He allowed the game winning run in the top of the ninth.

                                                            Jackass Chapman

The Good:

Jarren Duran was 1 for 3.

Andruw Monasterio drove in a run as a pinch hitter.

Wilyer Abreu was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Caleb Durbin was 1 for 3.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Ryan Watson tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Danny Coulombe tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Justin Slaten tossed a scoreless inning.

Zack Kelly pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Trevor Story was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Masataka Yoshida was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Roman Anthony was 2 for 4 but failed to throw out the winning run at home with an error.

Willson Contreras was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Marcelo Mayer was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Connelly Early allowed 2 runs in just 4 innings of work off 3 hits and 4 walks.

Final Thoughts:

There's trouble in paradise for sure as the Sox have lost 6 of their first eight games. The offense continues to sputter which anyone could have seen a mile away. Now it seems Alex Cora is losing his grip as his decisions haven't worked so far. Putting Roman Anthony in left seems to be a failure as his throwing arm is now called into question. Early didn't look great at all although the bullpen looked good for the second straight day....except Chapman anyway. Once again the lack of offense is dooming this team and its going to become critical in the next few weeks. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow afternoon when Ranger Suarez takes on old friend Walker Buehler of San Diego. The game begins at 1:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Gray, Sox Drop Padres in Fenway Opener (4/3/26)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Johan Oviedo was placed on the Injured List with a right elbow strain and Garrett Whitlock was placed on Paternity Leave. Congrats to Whitlock, get well soon Oviedo. Zack Kelly and Tyler Uberstine were called up to replace the two, the ML debut for 2021 draft pick Uberstine.

                                                                            OUT

                                                                          IN

As for the game, for one day anyway Fenway Park gave the Red Sox good luck as they snapped their four game losing streak. Sonny Gray (1-0, 4.50 ERA) avenged his first start of the season by tossing 6 solid innings and allowing just 2 runs to the San Diego Padres. The Sox broke out to a 2-0 lead over the Padres on rbis by Ceddanne Rafaela and Caleb Durbin but the Padres rallied to tie it in the top of the fifth. Home runs by Willson Contreras and Marcelo Mayer put the Sox up for good and put the game in the hands of the bullpen. Greg Weissert, Justin Slaten and Aroldis Chapman slammed the door on the 5-2 victory by the Sox at Fenway Park.

                                                     1986 Red Sox approve of the win

Gray got the ball in the top of the first inning and Fernando Tatis Jr grounded out to short to start. Old friend Xander Bogaerts popped up to third and Jackson Merrill grounded out to first to end the inning. King got the ball in the bottom of the first and Roman Anthony grounded out to third to start. Trevor Story popped up to third and Jarren Duran grounded out to first to end the inning.

Manny Machado grounded out to third to start the top of the second before Ramon Laureano flied out to left. Miguel Andujar grounded out to short to end the inning. Willson Contreras walked to start the bottom of the second but Wilyer Abreu forced him at second. Caleb Durbin grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Gavin Sheets singled off the glove of Story to start the top of the third and stole second on the Jake Cronenworth strikeout. Luis Campusano grounded out to third and Tatis Jr flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the third as Marcelo Mayer doubled off the glove of Laureano to start. Carlos Narvaez popped up to second but Ceddanne Rafaela ripped a base hit to center to score Mayer. Anthony flied out to center and Story struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                            Sox take the lead

Bogaerts flied out to left to begin the top of the fourth and Merrill grounded out to first. Machado struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Duran led off with a swinging bunt double past second base. Contreras and Abreu both struck out swinging but Durbin singled to center to score Jarren. Mayer reached on catcher's interference but Narvaez took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                        Durbin drives in a run

The Padres fought back in the top of the fifth as Laureano struck out swinging to start. Andujar tripled into the centerfield triangle and Sheets got a base hit to right to score him. Cronenworth lined out to center but Campusano doubled to center to score Sheets. Tatis Jr grounded out to short to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                           Padres tie it

Rafaela flied out to right to begin the bottom of the fifth but Anthony got a base hit to right. Story banged into a double play to end the inning.

Gray returned for one final inning in the top of the sixth and Bogaerts grounded out to third to start. Merrill grounded out to short and Machado flied out to left to end the inning. Gray pitched a lot better this time, holding the Padres to 2 runs on 4 hits in 6 innings.

                                                              Good work Gray

The Sox rallied in the bottom of the sixth as Duran flied out to right to start. Contreras blasted his first home run of the season to give the Sox the lead back. Abreu got a base hit to right but Durbin struck out swinging. Padres manager Craig Stammen brought in Wandy Peralta to face Mayer. Mayer responded with his first home run of the season to increase the lead. Narvaez got a base hit to center but Rafaela struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 5-2.

                                                             Sox bats come alive

Greg Weissert came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Laureano grounded out to third to start. Andujar struck out swinging and sheets grounded out to third to end the inning. Anthony struck out swinging to begin the bottom of the seventh and Story lined out to left. Duran grounded out to second to end the inning.

Justin Slaten came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Cronenworth flied out to left to start. Bryce Johnson pinch hit for Campusano and struck out swinging. Tatis Jr grounded out to third to end the inning. Ron Marinaccio came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Contreras grounded out to third to start. Abreu struck out swinging and Durbin popped up to first to end the inning.

Aroldis Chapman came in to close out the top of the ninth and Bogaerts flied out to right to begin. Merrill took strike three but Machado walked. Machado moved to second on defensive indifference and Laureano flied out to right to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-2.

                                                             Sox win

Hero of The Night is Willson Contreras. His home run in the sixth put the Sox up for good.

                                                                   Hero Contreras

The Good:

Marcelo Mayer was 2 for 2 with a 2 run home run and 2 total runs scored.

Carlos Narvaez was 1 for 3.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Sonny Gray got the win with 6 innings of 2 run ball allowing 4 hits while striking out 3.

Greg Weissert tossed a scoreless seventh inning.

Justin Slaten pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Aroldis Chapman earned his second save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Trevor Story was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Roman Anthony was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Wilyer Abreu was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Chad Durbin was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

This season is headed toward hell in a handbasket but today was fun at least. With the offense as anemic as it is, they're going to need to get pitching performances like this every day and that's simply not sustainable. Even the 2017 Red Sox that led the league in ERA needed SOME offensive help every now and then. Gray was damn good today and so was the bullpen but who's going to step up tomorrow if they need to win 2-1? The front office goofed big time by trading Rafael Devers and letting Alex Bregman walk. Durbin and Contreras are hardly suitable replacements although today Contreras delivered. Can he do it again tomorrow? That's the question. The Sox look to make it two wins in a row against San Diego tomorrow afternoon when Connelly Early takes on Randy Vasquez of San Diego. The game begins at 4:15 PM at Fenway Park.

Off-Day News: 2026 Portland Sea Dogs Season Preview (4/2/26)

Its an off-day and its time to take a look at this season's Portland Sea Dogs roster going into their season opener. Mostly due to injuries and trades, the 2025 Portland Sea Dogs went 64-71 on the season so they're looking to improve this season. With Craig Breslow's insistence on power arms, the pitching might be better than last year. One thing's for sure, they're going to be interesting to watch.

                                                             RHP - Cooper Adams

Its one thing to say someone came out of nowhere, but in the case of 25 year old right handed pitcher Cooper Adams you would be right. He wasn't drafted back in 2023 after a season of Mt. Saint Mary's but was picked up by the Sox organization in February of 2024. He didn't look good for the Greenville Drive going 2-5 with a 5.08 ERA between starting and relieving, but somehow turned it around last year. He started the 2025 season 2-3 with a 3.95 ERA and then got called up to Portland where he allowed just 4 runs in 26 innings out of the bullpen. He can hit 98 on the gun so if he's found his niche as a closer or set up man, that might work.

                                                             RHP - Caleb Bolden

Time is running out for 27 year old right handed pitcher Caleb Bolden. Drafted in the seventh round back in 2022, he's barely shown any promise since. He was 1-2 with a 3.67 ERA for the Salem Red Sox but bottomed out in Greenville in 2023. In 2024 he was 4-2 with a 4.12 ERA between Greenville and Portland. Last year he was 3-6 with a 5.74 ERA and looked totally lost. What's worse, he's starting this season on the Injured List to boot. If he doesn't come off the Injured List throwing bullets, they just may cut him. 27 years old and in AA is a bad look, especially with the class of 2025 coming up and this year's incoming draft.

                                                              RHP - Isaac Coffey

Speaking of guys that might be hanging around too long, 25 year old right handed pitcher Isaac Coffey might be another. Drafted in the 10th round back in 2022, he did show some promise in 2023 when he went 11-6 with a 3.37 ERA in 22 starts between Greenville and Portland. In 2024 he was 11-4 with a 3.17 ERA for Portland but battled injuries in 2025. He was 1-3 with a 5.51 ERA between Portland and the Worcester Red Sox in just 12 starts. This year if he's healthy, he might be able to take the next step. If not, there's more than enough people to replace him.

                                                               RHP - Patrick Halligan

If you like reclamation projects then we've got em right here! 26 year old Patrick Halligan was drafted in the 13th round back in 2021 by the Kansas City Royals three picks after the Sox drafted Zach Erhard who ended up not signing. Halligan made it to AAA with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2023, in 2024 with the Gwinnett Stripers and 2025 with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys but didn't do very well. He's going to start with the Sea Dogs this year but most likely will get called up to Worcester at some point. Maybe the fourth time will be the charm!

                                                               RHP - John Holobetz

You gotta feel for 23 year old right handed pitcher John Holobetz. He will be forever linked to the lopsided trade which sent Quinn Priester to the Milwaukee Brewers where he became a stud in 2025. He was a 5th round pick in the 2024 draft 8 selections after the Sox took Brandon Clarke (who was traded for Sonny Gray) and started the 2025 season 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA for the Carolina Mudcats before the trade to Boston. He was arguably the Greenville Drive's ace going 4-2 with a 3.43 ERA in 11 starts before getting the call to Portland. He was 1-2 with a 2.39 ERA to finish the season with the Sea Dogs and might be ready to take the next step with a strong start. Critics can say Priester was pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates at 23 while Holobetz hasn't made it out of AA, but that's on the front office, not Holobetz.

                                                               RHP - Jorge Juan

Here comes another reclamation project! 27 year old right handed pitcher Jorge Juan signed as a Dominicn teenager with the Oakland A's back in 2018 and was horrible up until they released him after the 2023 season where he went 1-4 with a 5.66 ERA for the AA Midland Rockhounds. He signed with Atlanta in 2024 and was 2-4 with a 5.11 ERA for the Mississippi Braves. He had pitched in just 7 games in 2025 when Atlanta gave him the boot. The Sox picked him up in May and he went 1-5 with a 4.78 ERA. Why keep this guy around? He can hit 99 on the gun. Too bad its straight as an arrow. He won't be here long unless a miracle happens.

                                                             RHP - Danny Kirwin

Instead of a reclamation project, we got another undrafted rookie free agent! 26 year old Danny Kirwin was Rider University's closer in 2023 and if you don't know what college that is, you're not alone. Kirwin went undrafted but Sox GM Craig Breslow took a flyer on him when he learned he could hit 99 on the gun. Well he didn't hit 99 but was 4-3 with a respectable 3.63 ERA for the Salem Red Sox in 2024. Last year he regressed going 6-5 with a hideous 5.18 ERA as his velocity dropped to 95. Well, that's on Breslow for signing a guy who thought he could hit 99 consistently but ultimately couldn't. Who knows, maybe he'll bounce back in 2026.

                                                                  RHP - CJ Liu

If you thought Noah Song had a frustrating career so far, 26 year old right handed pitcher CJ Liu is right there with him. He was signed as a 20 year old out of Taiwan following the 2019 season but Covid wiped out his 2020 season. He was 5-1 with a 4.29 ERA for Salem in 2021 but was straight batting practice in 2022 and 2023. He pitched in just 7 games in 2024 and missed all of last year with shoulder injuries. He's starting the season on the 60 day Injured List so he might not even pitch this year either. If he does, history doesn't bode well for him. Who knows, maybe the rehab will fix him.

                                                           RHP - Yordanny Monegro

How about even MORE injured pitchers? 23 year old Yordanny Monegro was a Dominican teenager signed on the eve of the 2020 season ruined by Covid. He showed promise in 2023 going 6-3 with a 2.06 ERA for the Florida Complex Sox, Salem and Greenville Drive and was Greenville's ace in 2024. He went 6-2 with a 2.73 ERA in 13 starts and started 2025 in Portland where he was 2-1 with a 2.67 ERA....and his UCL gave out. Not only did he miss the rest of 2025 he might miss all of this year too. Its a shame because he was really starting to bust out the last couple of years.

                                                                   LHP - Hayden Mullins

Portland's Opening Day starter will be 26 year old left handed pitcher Hayden Mullins. He would have been a 1st round pick in the 2022 draft but injuries derailed him at Auburn University. He was taken in the 12th round after having Tommy John surgery and pitched in just 4 games in 2023. In 2024 he was 3-5 with a 3.94 ERA but turned it on in 2025. He was 8-2 with a 2.21 ERA between Greenville and Portland last year and with injuries behind him, he might make an impact this year. If he can stay healthy that is.

                                                                RHP - Cade Feeney

Injury woes continue for the Sea Dogs with 24 year old right handed pitcher Cade Feeney. Drafted in the 13th round back in 2023, he pitched in 20 games for the Greenville Drive in 2024 before having Tommy John surgery that wiped out not only the second half of 2024 but all of 2025. When healthy he's a junkballer that tops out at 95 so it wasn't like he was throwing gas to begin with. He's listed as active and ready to go so let's see what 2026 brings.

                                                            RHP - Max Carlson

Making his AA debut this season will be 24 year old right handed pitcher Max Carlson. Taken one round before Cade Feeney in the 2023 draft, Carlson looked great in 2024 going 6-2 with a 2.73 ERA for Salem and Greenville. Unfortunately he regressed in 2025, going 3-1 with a 4.08 ERA for the Drive in just 11 games. Like Feeney, he's active and ready to go so one way or another we're going to find out if 2024 or 2025 was the fluke, hopefully 2025.

                                                           LHP - Eduardo Rivera

Talk about a "late" bloomer. 22 year old left handed pitcher Eduardo Rivera was drafted in the 11th round back in 2021 by the Oakland A's 22 picks after the Sox took Niko Kavadas. He wasn't ready for prime time in 2023 as he went 2-7 with a 5.35 ERA as a starter for the Stockton Ports. He allowed 13 runs in 8 innings for the High A Lansing Lugnuts in 2024 before being released. The Sox picked him up in June of 2024 and he posted a 1.99 ERA in 6 games with the Salem Red Sox. Last year he was 4-6 with a 2.48 ERA between Greenville and Portland and he might be turning the corner. Can't say he's a true late bloomer at only 22 years old but kudos to Craig Breslow's scout team that saw he just needed some time.

                                                                LHP - Erik Rivera

Happy 25th birthday to left handed pitcher Erik Rivera. Another reclamation project and all you need to know is he was drafted in the 4th round by the Los Angeles Angels in 2019. He's pitched in exactly 39 games since. He showed some promise in 2024 for the High A Tri-Cities Rust Devils by posting a 3.31 ERA in 8 starts but was released anyway. He was straight batting practice for the Greenville Drive last year posting a 7.33 ERA in 21 games. He's listed as healthy so let's see how he does at the AA level in 2026.

                                                            LHP - Dalton Rogers

In a case of "now or never", 25 year old left handed pitcher Dalton Rogers is running out of time. The highest pitcher drafted by the Chaim Bloom regime in the third round back in 2022 was 2-7 with a 4.84 ERA in 2023 between Salem and Greenville. He was even worse in 2024 going 2-7 with a 5.12 ERA for Greenville but started to figure it out in 2025. He allowed 6 runs in 20 innings to earn a call-up to Portland. He was 4-5 with a 3.52 ERA for the Sea Dogs in 15 starts. With the 2024 and 2025 draft classes ready to step up, this might be it for Rogers if he doesn't come out of the gate firing.

                                                             LHP - Michael Sansone

In another case of "now or never" we got 26 year old left handed pitcher Michael Sansone. Originally an undrafted rookie free agent for the Tampa Bay Rays, he was released in April of 2024 and the Red Sox signed him. He was 7-4 with a 3.11 ERA in 2024 with Salem and was 4-7 with a 3.46 ERA between Salem, Greenville and Portland in 2025. 26 years old at AA isn't good but maybe this is where he takes the next step.

                                                                 RHP - Blake Wehunt

Another guy looking to have a bounce back season in 2026 is 25 year old right handed pitcher Blake Wehunt. Taken in the 9th round back in 2023, he went 3-7 with a 3.88 ERA in 22 starts between Salem, Greenville and Portland. Last year he was 2-8 with a 5.68 ERA and looked lost. When current Sox GM Craig Breslow made the shift to power arms, guys like Wehunt were the holdovers. He might not last long under this current regime unless he comes out of the gate with a hot start.

                                                            LHP - Jeremy Wu-Yelland

What a sad career its been for 26 year old left handed pitcher Jeremy Wu-Yelland. He was drafted in the 4th round back in 2020 and was 1-3 with a 4.03 ERA for the Salem Red Sox in 2021. In April of 22 he had Tommy John surgery and pitched in just 3 games for the Florida Complex in 2023. He got hurt again in 2024 and was batting practice for the Greenville Drive. He only pitched in 25 games between Greenville and Portland last year but went 3-1 with a 3.15 ERA. This might be his last chance to show what he can do considering he's last man standing from the 2020 draft class.

                                                                  RHP - Gage Ziehl

Last but not least of the pitchers is 22 year old right handed pitcher Gage Ziehl. Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 4th round in 2024, he was sent to the Chicago White Sox in the Austin Slater trade.  He was 2-2 with a 4.01 ERA in 6 starts with the Winston/Salem Dash to end 2025 and he was the centerpiece in the trade that sent Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin to Chicago. He only hits 95 on the gun and is primarily a junkballer. He wasn't regarded as one of Chicago's best prospects so that trade was more or less a salary dump to get rid of Hicks. If Ziehl makes it to AAA or beyond, it'll be a miracle.

                                                                C - Nate Baez

Portland's starting catcher will be 25 year old right handed hitting Nate Baez. Drafted in the 12th round back in 2022 for the Minnesota Twins, he hit .268 for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels in Low A in 2023. In 2024 he hit .239 with 12 home runs with the Cedar Rapids Kernels in High A. Last year he hit .237 with 5 home runs for the AA Wichita Wind Surge and was traded for Tristan Gray in January. He wasn't a highly touted catcher, he was just what they could get for Gray. If he hits above .240 this season it'll be a miracle.

                                                                1B - Drew Ehrhard

The Portland Sea Dogs might possibly be the oldest team in AA and 27 year old first baseman Drew Ehrhard doesn't help that. He was an undrafted rookie free agent signed in July of 2023 and played in just 27 games in 2024. Last year he hit .235 with 3 home runs in 65 games and doesn't look like he'll improve any further. Maybe trading his brother wasn't the best idea.

                                                              2B - Marvin Alcantara

One of the youngsters on the team is 21 year old second baseman Marvin Alcantara. Signed as a Dominican teenager in 2022, he hit .248 in 108 games for Salem in 2024. Last year between Greenville and Portland combined he hit .238 with 3 home runs. Not a lot of power and not a lot of speed either. Still, he's only 21 so he has plenty of time to make an impression.

                                                             3B - Ahbram Liendo

Continuing the trend of light hitting infielders is 22 year old third baseman Ahbram Liendo. Signed as a Dominican teenager in 2021, he's hit just .222 in 397 games with only 10 home runs since then. The good news is he's solid defensively and swiped 42 bags for Portland last year. He could be a potential pinch runner in the higher levels...if he can learn to hit just adequately.

                                                               SS - Franklin Arias

One of the highly touted prospects in the system is 20 year old shortstop Franklin Arias. He signed as a Dominican teenager in 2023 and last year blew through Salem and Greenville to get to Portland. He hit .278 with 8 home runs combined and might take the next step this coming season. The Sox need bats with their lack of offense in the big club with the draft seemingly to have turned into a pitching factory thanks to Craig Breslow. Arias might be able to pick up the slack.

                                                               LF - Will Turner

Want more light hitting players? Here's another one! 23 year old outfielder Will Turner was taken in the 7th round back in 2024 and has just 29 hits in 221 at-bats. He hit just .161 in 43 games last year for the Greenville Drive and will start this year in left field for the Sea Dogs. Part of the problem was he broke his hand last season and spent half the year injured. Let's see how he does when healthy.

                                                                  CF - Nelly Taylor

Guess what we got here. ANOTHER LIGHT HITTER! 23 year old outfielder Nelly Taylor was taken in the 11th round back in 2023 and he hit .216 in 108 games for Greenville last year. He did battle a hamstring injury last year and did manage to belt 7 home runs. If he can make better contact this season, maybe he'll be in Worcester sooner rather than later.

                                                              RF - Miguel Bleis

One of the only real prospects on this team is 22 year old outfielder Miguel Bleis. He was signed as a Dominican teenager in 2021 and he only hit .222 between Greenville and Portland last year but belted 14 home runs combined. If he can get that average up and keep the power stroke, he could be one of the first promoted to Worcester from this crew. Otherwise, he fits right in on this team.

                                                               DH - Max Ferguson

Remember when the Red Sox received Eric Hosmer and prospects for Jay Groome at the 2022 trade deadline? One of them is 26 year old infielder Max Ferguson. Ferguson was drafted in the 5th round in 2021 and also doesn't hit for a high average. He hit just .191 in 99 games for Portland to start last year but actually performed well in a 19 game cup of coffee with the Worcester Red Sox hitting .279 with 2 home runs. If he can ride that momentum at the beginning of the season in Portland, he'll be back in Worcester in no time.

                                                              UTL - Brooks Brannon

Someone who's due for a breakout season is 21 year old first baseman Brooks Brannon. Drafted out of high school in the 9th round in 2022, Brannon had a breakout year last season. He hit .251 with 10 home runs between Greenville and Portland and the only thing holding him back is health. If he has a full healthy season, the sky is the limit.

                                                                  C - Ronald Rosario

The team's backup catcher is 23 year old Ronald Rosario. Drafted as a Dominican teenager in 2019, Rosario hit .244 with 8 home runs in Greenville in 2024. Last year he hit just .201 but with 11 home runs. Talk about a young Doug Mirabelli in terms of all of nothing. Still, many teams will take that tradeoff if he continues to hit it out of the yard. Not swinging for the fences every single pitch would help too.

                                                           UTL - Raudelis Martinez

One of the guys the Sox got in the Rule 5 Draft this past off-season was 23 year old catcher Raudelis Martinez. He bottomed out in 2024 where he had just 3 hits in 43 at-bats for the Bowling Green Hot Rods after hitting .224 for the Charleston River Dogs. Last year he hit .239 with 4 home runs for the Hot Rods and I have absolutely no idea what Breslow sees in him to think he could be a starting catcher in AA. Then again, a lot of the guys on this team can't hit well anyway.

                                                                 OF - Caden Rose

Rounding out the team is 24 year old outfielder Caden Rose. He was drafted in the 7th round back in 2023 and played in just 35 games in 2024 between Salem and Greenville.  Last year he hit a pathetic .160 in 86 games for Portland. Amazing how this team has a lineup of guys who simply can't hit. Maybe it was down year, maybe not. Either way don't expect much out of him,

Quite frankly the Sea Dogs this season are in big trouble. The pitchers are either low level prospects or reclamation projects and very few of the batters can hit for average or power. Maybe last year was a down year for a lot of guys but the bottom line is this team is in trouble out of the gate. When Hayden Mullins is your ace to start the year, things don't look good. Still, the name of the game is development and maybe this season things will turn around. Head over to Hadlock Field to see the 2026 Portland Sea Dogs.