{"id":82348,"date":"2024-08-07T00:11:28","date_gmt":"2024-08-07T04:11:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=82348"},"modified":"2024-08-07T00:11:28","modified_gmt":"2024-08-07T04:11:28","slug":"red-sox-prospect-juan-valera","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/08\/07\/red-sox-prospect-juan-valera\/","title":{"rendered":"Young Red Sox Prospect Dominating In Minors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Each MLB organization usually has a couple of players that burst onto the minor league scene every year. Sometimes it\u2019s a youngster, and in other instances, it\u2019s 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<\/a> is dominating in the minors.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Young Red Sox Prospect Dominating In Minors<\/b><\/h2>\n

Juan Valera Before 2024<\/b><\/h3>\n

Valera signed with Boston at just 16 years old in 2023 for just $45,000<\/a>. 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 \u2153 innings. His first campaign ended with a disappointing 5.93 ERA and 1.72 WHIP.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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 <\/span>MLB.com<\/span><\/a>. He transitioned from the Dominican Summer League to the United States. It was going to be a big year for Valera\u2019s development and standing in Boston\u2019s front office. Through the first four months of the year, it\u2019s clear to say that he has exceeded all expectations<\/span><\/p>\n

Valera Demolishing Opponents In 2024<\/b><\/h3>\n

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\u2019t 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\u2019s season ERA dipped all the way to 1.98. Overall, in June, he pitched 14 \u2154 innings, walked four batters, and held opponents to a .070 batting average.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2019t 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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17 straight innings with 0 ER for Juan Valera! pic.twitter.com\/cyUO26yZ3l<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Red Sox Player Development (@RedSoxPlayerDev) August 1, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n