Red Sox Find Hidden Gem in Jordan Hicks Trade: What to Expect from Gage Ziehl

The Boston Red Sox made waves with their recent trade with the Chicago White Sox, which sent pitchers Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin to Chicago in exchange for a lesser-known but potentially impactful name: Gage Ziehl. While the headline might initially focus on Hicks’ departure, who had been underwhelming in his contract, it’s Ziehl that many are now keeping an eye on, with some experts speculating that the Red Sox might have found a hidden gem in this deal.

In this trade, the Red Sox not only shed the $16 million owed to Hicks over the next two years, but they also received a pitching prospect who could turn out to be much more than a mere throw-in. When the trade was announced, the reaction from several baseball insiders was one of intrigue, particularly surrounding Ziehl, a pitcher with potential but little major league experience.

Gage Ziehl: A Wild Card with Big Potential

Gage Ziehl, entering the Red Sox organization as part of a rather unconventional deal, is the wild card of this trade. The 22-year-old right-handed pitcher was ranked as the No. 14 prospect in the White Sox system before the trade, but his name hasn’t received the same level of attention as other top-tier prospects. Despite this, Ziehl’s intriguing potential and raw tools make him a player worth watching closely.

Ziehl’s inclusion in the trade caught the attention of Ari Alexander of WHDH-TV in Boston, who relayed a source’s enthusiastic response: “Ooh, big arm.” While “big” is a vague term in baseball scouting, it’s enough to pique interest. Ziehl’s fastball velocity and his overall arsenal suggest that, while he’s not yet an elite talent, there is undeniable potential for him to develop into a solid major league pitcher.

Ziehl’s Early Career and Development

Ziehl’s journey to the Red Sox began with the New York Yankees, who drafted him in the fourth round of the 2024 MLB Draft. However, Ziehl’s time in the Yankees’ farm system was brief, as he was traded to the White Sox in a deal that sent outfielder Austin Slater to New York. Slater, though valuable in his own right, is not considered an elite player, which only adds to the intrigue surrounding Ziehl’s move to Chicago.

During the 2025 season, Ziehl made stops at Low-A, High-A, and Double-A, posting a 4.12 ERA across 107 innings. In those innings, he struck out 90 batters, showing a decent strikeout rate but not quite the dominant numbers that would mark him as a future ace. However, the scouting report on Ziehl is far more promising. MLB Pipeline’s scouting grades for Ziehl include a 50 for his fastball, slider, and changeup, all of which are considered above-average offerings. More importantly, his control earned a 60 grade, which is a significant asset for a pitcher still developing his craft.

Ziehl’s Future with the Red Sox: What Can Fans Expect?

While Ziehl’s numbers in the minors don’t immediately scream “future ace,” his combination of size, stuff, and control gives him the potential to develop into a valuable piece for the Red Sox in the future. The Red Sox have a solid track record of developing pitching talent, and Ziehl’s above-average control makes him an appealing project for a team that needs to bolster its pitching depth.

At this point, Ziehl’s status as a prospect means that his journey to the majors will likely take some time. There is still work to be done in terms of refining his arsenal and adapting to the higher levels of competition in the major leagues. However, the Red Sox are known for giving their young pitchers the time and resources they need to develop, and Ziehl could benefit from the support of Boston’s pitching coaches and the team’s advanced analytics department.

The Importance of Prospect Development

While much of the attention will be on the immediate savings from Hicks’ contract, it’s Ziehl who may ultimately prove to be the most impactful piece of the trade. Baseball prospect evaluation is a notoriously unpredictable process, with many highly-touted players failing to live up to expectations, while others like Ziehl blossom unexpectedly.

In this trade, the Red Sox are essentially gambling on Ziehl’s future development. There’s no guarantee that he will become a major contributor, but with his tools and the Red Sox’s proven track record of developing pitchers, he’s a prospect who could surprise and make a meaningful impact down the line. It’s the kind of low-risk, high-reward move that can pay off big for a team that’s looking to bolster its pitching staff for years to come.

What’s Next for the Red Sox?

In the short term, the Red Sox will likely focus on how to allocate the money saved from Hicks’ contract, which could go toward improving other areas of the roster or extending key players. However, the longer-term impact of this trade hinges on Ziehl’s development. If he can continue to improve and refine his game, he could evolve into a key contributor for the Red Sox in the years to come.

For now, the Red Sox are still a team in transition, balancing the demands of competing in the present with the need to build for the future. Ziehl may not make an immediate splash in Boston, but he’s a name to watch as the Red Sox continue to build for sustained success. As the team’s pitching depth continues to evolve, Gage Ziehl could very well be the hidden gem that takes them to the next level.

In the unpredictable world of MLB trades and prospect evaluations, it’s often the lesser-known players who end up having the biggest impact. The Red Sox may have just found their next unexpected star in Gage Ziehl, and only time will tell if this trade turns out to be a stroke of genius or a missed opportunity. For now, fans can only wait and see how Ziehl develops—and perhaps be pleasantly surprised by what they find.