The Boston Red Sox invited 28 players — a group headlined by top infield prospects Triston Casas and Nick Yorke — to their winter warmup in Fort Myers from January 24-28, while the traditional Red Sox Rookie Development Program will be in absence for the second consecutive spring.
Due to the MLB being in lockout, no 40-man roster players could be invited since teams cannot be in contact with players. Because of that, promising youngsters who would fit right into the group such as Jarren Duran, Brayan Bello, Jeter Downs, Bryan Mata, Josh Winckowski, and Jay Groome, didn’t receive an invite.
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One might also be quick to notice that the team’s 2021 fourth overall pick, Marcelo Mayer, isn’t on the list. The team chose not to invite him likely due to the fact that he’s never played above rookie ball, and that he’s just a 19-year-old. The Sox didn’t invite anyone who is on the 40-man or finished the season below Low-A Salem.
Some notable names with potential are in every position group invited. David Hamilton and Alex Binelas, the two prospects acquired in the Hunter Renfroe-Jackie Bradley Jr. deal are the newest names, while Casas, Yorke, Brainer Bonaci, and Blaze Jordan are the most known among the infielders.
Kole Cottam rounds out the catchers after a great year in High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland. Chris Murphy, Thad Ward, Brandon Walter, Yankee Rule 5 picks Brian Keller and Franklin German, as well as Zack Kelly, are the most notable arms invited.
Outfielders
Tyler Dearden
Nick Decker
Gilberto Jimenez
Infielders
Alex Binelas
Brainer Bonaci
Triston Casas
David Hamilton
Blaze Jordan
Christian Koss
Matthew Lugo
Ceddanne Rafaela
Nick Yorke
Catchers
Kole Cottam
Jaxx Groshans
Nathan Hickey
Stephen Scott
Pitchers
LHP Chris Murphy
RHP A.J. Politi
RHP Chase Shugart
LHP Brandon Walter
RHP Thad Ward
LHP Jeremy Wu-Yelland
LHP Brendan Cellucci
RHP Michael Feliz
RHP Franklin German
RHP Brian Keller
RHP Zack Kelly
LHP Austin Lambright