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8. Chase Meidroth
SS

Ht: 5'9" | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Low.

Track Record: The Red Sox made Meidroth a surprise fourth-round selection in 2022 out of the University of San Diego based on his advanced plate approach, solid infield defense and willingness to take an under-slot bonus of $272,500. His discerning eye has made him an on-base machine in three pro seasons, capped by a 2024 campaign at Triple-A Worcester in which he led the minor leagues with 105 walks while posting the fourth-highest on-base percentage. An elbow injury limited Meidroth to DH duty over the last month and a half of the season.

Scouting Report: Untrue to his name, Meidroth frustrated pitchers with his refusal to swing at pitches outside the zone, with a 17% chase rate that was among the lowest in Triple-A. He was also selective within the zone, as his overall 30% swing rate was the lowest among 489 Triple-A hitters who saw at least 500 pitches. Still, Meidroth’s combination of selectivity, short stroke and all-fields approach creates good bat-to-ball skills against all pitch types to give him a big league offensive floor, with the potential to tap into more given his reasonable bat speed, which was 71 mph on competitive swings. Power won’t be a big part of Meidroth’s game—he hit seven home runs in 122 games in 2024—and is more focused on all-fields contact than lifting the ball to his pull side. While he’s not a flashy defender, Meidroth grades well at second base and third base and looked at least capable of handling shortstop in a pinch. He’s a below-average runner.

The Future: Meidroth will enter 2025 as a big league depth option, though he may return to Triple-A to start the year depending on Boston’s depth outlook. He’s a safe bet to have a long career as an infield reserve and could become an everyday player if he adds strength and bat speed.

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 40 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 45.

 

Edited by DirtySox
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6. Braden Montgomery
OF

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 201 | B-T: S-R

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High.

Track Record: Recruited out of his Mississippi high school as a two-way player, Montgomery largely eschewed the mound after he transferred from Stanford to Texas A&M for his draft year of 2024. He suffered a fractured right ankle on June 8 that may have played into his slide to No. 12 overall and prevented him from making his pro debut in 2024, but he was able to resume baseball activities by September.

Scouting Report: Montgomery describes his approach as one built around a determination to “hammer strikes.” While his aggressive swing as a junior resulted in a relatively high strikeout and in-zone whiff rates that suggests a power-over-hit approach, he also showed impressive swing decisions that yielded an 18% walk rate in 2024, as well as plenty of resounding contact. At College Station, he posted several exit velocities of 110 mph or better, and his top-end bolt was 115 mph. The switch-hitting Montgomery batted .361/.476/.834 with a 16% strikeout rate batting lefthanded, using a clean swing that allows him to drive balls in the air with ease. From the right side, he made mechanical strides to smooth out his swing as a junior and decrease his groundball rate. But he still has work to do after hitting .224/.404/.478 with a 28% strikeout rate as a junior. Montgomery showed good athleticism and solid range while playing center field in college, but he seems likely to end up in a corner. He touched 96 mph on the mound, suggesting an elite outfield arm. His ankle injury was a clean break without ligament damage, leading to optimism that it won’t impact his average speed.

The Future: Montgomery profiles as a Three True Outcomes corner outfielder with strong defense who likely will debut in High-A Greenville in 2025. He could emerge as a big league option by 2026.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 70.

 

Edited by DirtySox
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16. Wikelman Gonzalez

RHP

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 167 | B-T: R-R

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Red Sox signed Gonzalez for $250,000 in 2018 on the basis of his ability to shape three big league pitches anchored by a projectable low-90s fastball. His velocity took a jump during the 2020 shutdown, and he overwhelmed hitters in the Florida Complex League in 2021. After an up-and-down 2022, Gonzalez had an alarming start to 2023 at High-A Greenville, posting a 30% walk rate through four starts. In a heart-to-heart with coaches, he acknowledged that concern about his career had left him unable to eat and sleep properly. The Red Sox had him refocus his goals from game performance to his between-starts routines. From there, Gonzalez took off, with a 2.98 ERA and 13% walk rate in his final 21 starts at High-A and Double-A Portland. On the year, his 35.2% strikeout rate led all minor leaguers with at least 100 innings.

Scouting Report: Gonzalez possesses tremendous mobility in his hips to get far downhill on the mound and jump on hitters. He also features a low release point, yet works at the top of the zone. That creates the sort of upshoot angle of pitchers like Cristian Javier or Joe Ryan on a bat-missing, mid-90s four-seam fastball. He complements that with a potential plus curveball that has bat-missing spin, a changeup that is at least average and a cutter he added in 2023 for an in-zone weapon against lefties. Gonzalez can miss bats or limit hard contact in the zone, but it remains uncertain if he can work in the zone enough to start. Even with considerable progress in 2023, he still has well below-average control.

The Future: If diligent offseason and between-starts work allows Gonzalez to improve his control to at least average, he could develop into a No. 4 starter. If not, he’s a bat-missing reliever. Gonzalez likely will open 2024 back in Double-A, with a chance to reach Boston as a member of the 40-man roster.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 45 | Control: 40

 

Edited by DirtySox
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