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Young Red Sox Prospect Dominating In Minors

Each MLB organization usually has a couple of players that burst onto the minor league scene every year. Sometimes it’s a youngster, and in other instances, it’s a journeyman. For the Boston Red Sox, there are a few candidates that fit this category. But none embodies it better than a Dominican Republic native who turned 18 years old in May. The pitcher has been nothing short of brilliant in 2024. Young Red Sox prospect Juan Valera is dominating in the minors. 

Young Red Sox Prospect Dominating In Minors

Juan Valera Before 2024

Valera signed with Boston at just 16 years old in 2023 for just $45,000. He made his professional debut in June of that season. The right-hander started just one of his 15 outings, throwing just over 27 innings. After allowing just three earned runs in his first five appearances, Valera struggled in July, posting a 7.20 ERA. Things got worse in August when he gave up seven runs in 5 ⅓ innings. His first campaign ended with a disappointing 5.93 ERA and 1.72 WHIP. 

Obviously, at just 17 years old when the season ended, it was hard to pick on Valera. He was getting acclimated to a new situation, better competition, and higher expectations. Coming into 2024, Valera was unranked in the Red Sox system by MLB.com. He transitioned from the Dominican Summer League to the United States. It was going to be a big year for Valera’s development and standing in Boston’s front office. Through the first four months of the year, it’s clear to say that he has exceeded all expectations

Valera Demolishing Opponents In 2024

Valera began the 2024 campaign in the Florida Complex League. He came out of the bullpen in his first game, but started the second. In four May starts, Valera posted a 3.55 ERA in two starts (four total appearances). June is where things really got going, though. Valera didn’t allow a hit in his first two starts. He gave up just three in the entire month and one run. That led to a dominant 0.61 ERA and 0.48 WHIP. Valera’s season ERA dipped all the way to 1.98. Overall, in June, he pitched 14 ⅔ innings, walked four batters, and held opponents to a .070 batting average. 

July was just as impressive for Valera. His first three starts came in the FCL. After allowing six hits in four innings on July 4, he didn’t surrender a single hit or walk in his next two outings. The Red Sox saw enough and, on July 23, he earned his first ever call-up in America. Valera headed to Low-A with the Salem Red Sox and acclimated immediately. He made two starts in Salem in July, allowing one hit, three walks, and no runs in eight innings. Building off the back-end of his time in Florida, Valera pitched 17 consecutive innings without an earned run. 

 

Valera In The Minors

His first start in August, which came on Tuesday, was another shutdown performance. Valera threw four scoreless innings with no hits and two walks. His five strikeouts were a Low-A high for the 18-year-old. That extended his streak to 21 straight innings, 12 of which coming in Salem. For the 2024 season, Valera has an astounding 1.38 ERA in 52 ⅓ innings, allowing just 18 hits and 19 walks. In Salem, it gets even better: 12 innings, no runs, one hit, five walks. In what was a question mark of a year, Valera has made a statement. He’s in the midst of one of the most dominant minor league campaigns in 2024. 

 

Valera’s Future Becoming Brighter

After beginning the season unranked, Valera currently sits 27th in Boston’s system, according to SoxProspects. He now joins a list that includes dominant top prospects Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony, and Kyle Teel. Despite an extremely late MLB ETA of 2028, it’s important to remind fans, and the organization as a whole, that the right-hander was born in 2006. Valera has played just 29 minor league contests and pitched under 80 innings. What you see now, although it may be phenomenal, is not the final product. Valera won’t be seen in Boston for some time, and it won’t be surprising if he stays in Salem for the foreseeable future. For now, it’s all about taking it slow and letting him grow. If Valera has shown anything thus far, it’s the immense potential he holds. 

 

Main Photo Credits: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Goldman

Zach Goldman

Zach Goldman is a graduate of Syracuse University, where he spent four years covering the college's sports. He has an obsession for all things baseball.

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