BOSTON- It’s an off-day for the Sox, so the WeTalkSox crew cooked up something special—our picks for the most underrated future stars in the Red Sox system. These guys may not be the top names on the prospect lists (yet), but each one of them has the potential to make a serious impact in Boston sooner than you might think.

We each dove into the stats, scouting reports, and eye tests to bring you our favorite “under-the-radar” players—complete with some bold predictions and a whole lot of Sox optimism.

Brandon Clarke has been a promising prospect so far this Spring. Across his first two starts, he has a combined 11 strikeouts and 1.42 ERA. He has allowed only 2 hits and one walk across both starts. (Read Blog #2 for More Info).

Standing 6'3" and weighing 195 lbs, Early was drafted in the 5th round of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Red Sox out of the University of Virginia. He’s started the 2025 campaign on fire, pitching 7 2/3 innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run, while striking out 15 batters—good for a dominant 17.6 K/9 rate.

Early features a five-pitch arsenal: fastball, changeup, sweeper, slider, and curveball. The first three are considered average or better, and he delivers them from a low three-quarter arm slot, which adds deception.

What really stands out to me is his ability to mix speeds and throw off hitters. After sitting at 94–95 mph with his fastball last season, Early has already touched 97 mph in his most recent outing against the Hartford Yard Goats. His curveball, on the other hand, can dip as low as 77–78 mph—creating nearly a 20 mph velocity gap that keeps hitters guessing.

While Early is currently projected to be a mid-rotation starter, I believe his unique arm slot and diverse pitch mix could make him an even bigger impact arm. Don’t be surprised if he makes his Boston debut in 2026—or possibly even sooner if he keeps this pace up.

Christopher Troye, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound pitcher and the 14th-ranked prospect in the Red Sox organization, was drafted in the 12th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of UC Santa Barbara.
He began his professional career in the Florida Complex League and has steadily progressed through the Red Sox minor league system, currently pitching at the Double-A level with the Portland Sea Dogs.

What stands out most about Troye is his swing-and-miss ability. In 2024, he posted an 11.14 K/9 rate with Portland, a testament to his knack for generating strikeouts. While this was a step back from his dominant 2023 season—where he struck out batters at a 15.87 K/9 clip—his velocity remains impressive. Troye consistently sits at 93–95 mph and can touch 98 mph.

His resilience and potential make him an intriguing bounce-back candidate to watch in 2025. If he can regain his 2023 form, Troye could quickly climb the ranks and become a valuable bullpen piece for the Red Sox in the near future.

Yordanny Monegro, a 6-foot-4 right-handed pitcher and the No. 24 prospect in the Red Sox organization according to MLB Pipeline, is quickly making a name for himself.

Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2021, Monegro has steadily developed into one of the most exciting young arms in the Red Sox pipeline, showcasing electric stuff and rising velocity.

After an impressive 2024 season—posting a 2.73 ERA with 82 strikeouts over 66 innings for High-A Greenville—Monegro opened the 2025 campaign with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs. He made his Double-A debut on April 6, tossing 3.1 innings, allowing one earned run on two hits, and striking out six. His promotion reflects the organization’s growing confidence in his potential.

Monegro’s fastball now touches 97 mph, and he pairs it with a sharp-breaking curveball and a developing changeup. What stands out most is his poise on the mound—he attacks hitters with confidence and maintains a smooth, repeatable delivery that projects well at higher levels.

Though still refining his command and secondary pitches, Monegro has the tools to develop into a legitimate rotation option. If he continues building on his early success in Portland, he could rise further up the rankings—and inch closer to Fenway—sooner than expected.

These are the names you’re gonna want to remember. The hype around top prospects is real, but these under-the-radar guys could be the secret sauce to Boston’s future success. Keep an eye out—because the next wave of Sox talent is coming fast, and we’re here for all of it.