Each year around this time, fans of every MLB team wonder which 26 men will start the season in uniform on the Opening Day roster.
There are still free agents to be signed, trades to be made, and prospects who could potentially break camp with the big league squad. That last one is what we’re going to be talking about today. Which Boston Red Sox prospects could be on the Opening Day roster on March 27?
We’ll look at three who could make the cut and three others who have been mentioned who will not find themselves facing the Texas Rangers that weekend.
3 Red Sox prospects who will make the Opening Day roster and 3 who will not
Making the Cut – Kristian Campbell
Kristian Campbell’s breakout 2024 campaign will go down in history books. Between him and someone else who will be mentioned shortly, the bar for prospects in Boston’s system is astronomically high. They’ve kind of ruined fan perception of how quickly a prospect is supposed to ascend to the top.
Campbell only has 19 games (85 plate appearances) in Triple-A. His .286/.412/.486 slash line with 17 RBI indicates that might be all he needs, though.
The Red Sox still need to figure out a plan at second base and could use some right-handed hitting. Campbell could be the answer for both. Boston could still add free agents, but right now, the 2023 draft pick has to have an inside track on the job.
Not making the cut – Marcelo Mayer
This one feels obvious, but you’d be surprised. There have been people suggesting Marcelo Mayer will join his other top prospects in Boston to start the year.
Mayer is an uber-talented left-handed hitting shortstop. He looked fantastic in Double-A last year. He earned a promotion to Worcester with Roman Anthony and Kyle Teel in August.
However, he has yet to get even one plate appearance in Triple-A. Mayer suffered an injury before playing in a game at the highest level before the big leagues. It’s nearly impossible to imagine that the Red Sox would throw the 22-year-old into the fire like that. Let him start the season in Triple-A and work his way to the majors, which may not take long.
Making the cut – Roman Anthony
Roman Anthony had a breakout year in 2023 and somehow still outshot expectations in 2024. Most media outlets have Anthony as the top prospect in all of baseball.
The left-handed hitting outfielder slashed .291/.367/.489 with 32 doubles, four triples, and 18 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A. He drove in 65 runs, scored 93 more, and stole 21 bases. The most impressive part was the jump Anthony saw in Triple-A. While with Worcester, he slashed .344/.463/.519 with 31 walks compared to 31 strikeouts in 35 games.
Anthony doesn’t have much time in Triple-A under his belt, but his brief stint was so dominant that you have to wonder if Boston needs to see anything more from him. The Red Sox currently have an abundance of outfield talent and don’t need more left-handed bats. However, Anthony could play himself into a role during spring training. All eyes will be on the 20-year-old around the league.
Not making the cut – Richard Fitts
Richard Fitts is disqualified from BoSox Injection’s top 30 prospects rankings because he’s already appeared in the majors. However, he’s still a prospect in the eyes of MLB, and that’s what counts here.
Fitts looked solid in his first short stint with the Red Sox last year. The right-handed pitcher posted a 1.74 ERA in 20 2/3 innings over four starts. However, his .250 BAA and inability to miss bats (nine strikeouts) could use some tuning up.
The Red Sox have added nicely to their rotation this offseason. Boston acquired Garrett Crochet in a trade, they signed Walker Buehler, and Lucas Giolito will be returning from injury. Fitts has the potential to be a nice rotational piece. There is work to be done with him, though. Meanwhile, Boston doesn’t need the help at the moment. He’s perfect as someone who can be used as organizational depth in 2025.
Making the cut – Luis Guerrero
Luis Guerrero appeared in nine games for the Red Sox last season but still holds prospect status. He didn’t allow a run over 10 innings. The right-handed reliever picked up three holds while walking just two batters (something he’s had issues with in the past) and striking out nine.
Guerrero can touch 100 MPH with his fastball and has a nasty splitter. There’s legitimate closer potential with him. Boston did add a bit to the bullpen this offseason, but there’s still an opening for him to make the roster out of spring training. Don’t be surprised if Guerrero turns heads in March.
Not making the cut – Zach Penrod
Zach Penrod similarly impressed out of the bullpen in his short major league stint in 2024. The left-handed pitcher allowed one earned run in four innings over seven appearances.
Penrod walked four batters and hit another, which is a bit of a problem. However, he has a great fastball and some devastating breaking pitches. He impressed in the minor leagues all year and looked promising in his time with the Red Sox.
So why won’t he make the team out of camp? The Sox added Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson this offseason. Boston doesn’t need more left-handed bullpen arms.
Even before the additions, it appeared the Red Sox wanted Penrod to transition back into a starting role (he started in 19 of his first 20 games in the minor leagues before moving to the bullpen for his final 10).
The move to reliever last year felt like a way for Boston to get Penrod to the majors to see how he fared. Now that they have improved the roster and look to be better in 2025, he can go back to the minors and be rotation depth. Penrod may be older for a prospect (27), but there’s a lot to love — the Red Sox wanting him to be a starter makes sense.
