Boston Red Sox
Boston’s ceiling may not be reached this season if the Red Sox don’t get key contributions from players like Marcelo Mayer, Brian Bellew and others.
Marcelo Maier has a lot of positives going into the 2026 season. Barry Chen/The Boston Globe
Expectations are high for the 2026 Red Sox.
On paper, there’s a lot to like about the Red Sox, whether it’s a strong starting rotation or an influx of young talent spread across the depth chart.
But the inherent promise of Boston’s roster does not guarantee continued success for a 162-game slate this summer.
The Red Sox may have to rely on veterans like Garrett Crochet, Jarren Duran, Wilson Contreras, and Trevor Story early and often this summer.
If the Red Sox are going to hit the ceiling and establish themselves as a legitimate World Series contender, several players will need to have big years at Fenway Park.
Here are seven X-factors in the current Red Sox clubhouse:
Roman Anthony, OF
Roman Anthony He may only have 71 games of big league experience at this point in his promising MLB career.
But it’s a testament to Anthony’s stock that the 21-year-old is already attracting some hype as a legitimate MVP candidate in his first full year with the Red Sox.
Anthony already has the makings of a transformative starter — the poised big man sparked Boston’s midseason turnaround last June after being called up from Triple-A Worcester.
Now, expectations will be higher for Anthony, as Boston cannot afford a second-year decline from a player who will be tasked with setting the table for the rest of the Red Sox lineup from the leadoff spot.
That’s not entirely fair to Anthony, who doesn’t have the luxury of relying on star hitters like Rafael Devers or Alex Bregman to shoulder some of that load moving forward.
But Anthony – based on what we’ve seen so far – may be up to such a big task
Brian Belew, RHP
The Red Sox already have elite rotation features with Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray and Ranger Suarez leading the way.
However, another breakout season from 26-year-old Brian Bellew will put an already loaded area of the roster over the top this summer.
Bellew made some strides in 2025, going 11-9 with a 3.35 ERA across 28 starts. But he faltered down the stretch, culminating in a disappointing start in Game 2 against the Yankees in the Wild Card round, in which he threw just 28 pitches.
The promising outfielder has looked good so far during spring training and the World Baseball Classic. Over his last four starts (since March 4), Bellew has given up just one earned run on nine hits over 19 innings with two walks and 23 strikeouts.
If he can carry that momentum into the regular season — especially when it comes to boosting his swing-and-miss rate — Bellew could emerge as the No. 3 or No. 4 starter this year.
Wilier Abreu, RF
Even if Anthony takes off this season and Wilson Contreras provides plenty of brilliance at the plate out of the cleanup spot, the Red Sox still have a lot of question marks in their lineup when it comes to their home run power.
Alex Cora doesn’t seem to care that much, considering he’s operating under the assumption that Wilyer Abreu will hit 30 home runs in 2026. Abreu, a two-time Gold Glove winner, provides tremendous value for Boston both on the field and at the plate.
But, as evidenced by his Venezuelan teammates en route to the WBC title, Abreu can do a lot of damage at the plate. After hitting 22 homers and driving in 69 runs in the injury-shortened 2025 season (115 games), Abreu should be able to make a push for his first 30-man season this summer.
The Red Sox would welcome such a development.
Connelly Early, LHP
Connelly Early wasn’t viewed as a can’t-miss prospect until late last summer. But this feeling changed in a short time.
The southpaw dominated his first four MLB games in finishing a 25-run campaign, allowing just six runs over 19.1 innings while striking out 29 batters and walking four. He also caught himself getting the ball in the deciding third game of Boston’s Wild Card round against the Yankees.
Early earned a spot on Boston’s Opening Day roster after impressing during spring training, the 23-year-old lefty posted a 1.59 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 17 innings. If Johan Oviedo operates as Boston’s No. 5, Early could play a regular role in Boston’s rotation moving forward.
Marcelo Mayer, 2b
There is a lot to like about Marcelo Mayer’s future profile in the major leagues.
He’s an athletic player, as well as a defender who should help shore up Boston’s outfield at second base this season, and will likely be at shortstop for the foreseeable future.
As seen during his several seasons in the minors, the 23-year-old blends a defensive skill set with plus-hitting tools — and boasts a legitimate 20 homers at the plate.
However, Mayer struggled last season against big-league pitching — batting .228 with four home runs and 41 hits across 127 at-bats (44 games).
Furthermore, Meyer has some major question marks regarding his durability. He has yet to play more than 91 games in a season since the Boston Red Sox drafted him fourth overall in the 2021 MLB Entry Draft.
If he can stay in the field, Meyer — even with some expected growing pains at the plate — should develop into a franchise regular in 2026. But this represents a big step if.
Caleb Durbin, 3B
Caleb Durbin has some big shoes to fill as Boston’s replacement at hot corner over Alex Bregman.
However, the 5-foot-6 outfielder should please Red Sox fans in no time, given his scrappy approach and willingness to grind up bats. Even after finishing third in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2025, Durbin likely won’t be a star in Boston.
But his plus defense and ability to counter some of Boston’s swing-and-miss flaws with his sharp discipline at the plate should make him a vital cog in Alex Cora’s lineup and at third base.
Payton Toole, LHP
Payton Tull will not start the 2026 season in the major leagues. But the Red Sox’s top prospects could significantly impact Boston’s fortunes as the year goes on.
The fireball-throwing left-hander rose through the ranks of Boston’s farm system in record time last season, opening the year in High-A Salem before punching his ticket to the MLB in August.
He’s lost in the numbers game this spring, even though the 23-year-old has posted a 2.53 ERA in 10.2 innings of work this spring while striking out 13 and walking one.
If injuries occur in Boston — or Tull dominates Worcester — he should be back in the major leagues in no time. Tull’s powerful fastball could make him a viable candidate for the back end of the bullpen if necessary — especially if Boston backs in relief like Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock this summer.
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