This story was excerpted from Ian Browne's Red Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
When the Red Sox signed shortstop Franklin Arias for $525,000 as one of their top international free agents in January 2023, most of the buzz was about his glove. The offensive profile for the right-handed hitter from Venezuela was based on projectability.
In his first eight games of the season, Arias had a slash line of .412/.487/.500 with three doubles, three RBIs and two stolen bases in 39 plate appearances.
“We view him as a long-term shortstop with the potential to remain a top-of-the-order offensive threat,” said Red Sox director of player development Brian Abraham. “He has come a long way in a short time, continues to improve daily and consistently pushes himself to get better.”
His development should be followed over the next couple of years as he continues to grow into this body.
“Franklin has continued to grow as a young player in multiple ways -- physically, emotionally and skillfully,” Abraham said. “He demonstrates impressive maturity and retains information well, consistently connecting coaching, feedback and information to his on-field performance.”
It has been a steady progression so far for Arias, who played 37 games in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League after signing in 2023 before splitting last season between the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Red Sox and Salem.
Don’t be surprised if Arias gets promoted to High-A Greenville before long.
For a teenager, Arias already has intangibles that stand out.
“He’s a leader, supportive of others, while also pushing and challenging himself and his teammates to improve,” said Abraham. “Franklin is becoming more athletic, adding quality weight and strength, which has enhanced both his range on the dirt and his ability to impact the baseball.”
Here are some other early-season happenings on the farm.
Triple-A Worcester
Vaughn Grissom, who battled for the second-base job in Spring Training before losing out to Campbell, is moving around a little on defense. Grissom has made nine of his first 12 starts this season for Worcester at second base, but he's gotten two starts at first base and one start at third.
First base is interesting because it is a position the Red Sox don’t have much depth at in the Majors. Romy Gonzalez is the only reserve on the roster who can play first behind starter Triston Casas. Grissom offers a depth option if Casas or Gonzalez suffers an injury.
Known for having a good bat, Grissom has held his own at the plate so far this season, hitting .295 with two homers and six RBIs through Sunday’s game. Grissom not only provides depth for the Red Sox, but he is trying to rebuild his stock to make him valuable as an everyday player for another team.
Though Anthony is off to a slow start at the plate, he showed signs of a breakout on Friday night, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs.
Double-A Portland
Right-hander David Sandlin, Boston’s No. 9 prospect, has some of the most electric stuff in the organization. But he’s been spotty with his command early in the season, walking six in nine innings. Sandlin has been able to minimize the damage, pitching to a 3.00 ERA in his first two starts.
High-A Greenville
Nazzan Zanetello (No. 25 prospect) was one of the 2023 Draft picks the Red Sox were most excited about when they took him in the second round. However, he struggled mightily for Single-A Salem (.156 average in 294 at-bats) last season. Zanetello has shown an excellent approach this season, drawing eight walks in his first seven games while stroking a pair of doubles.