Brooks Brannon showing encouraging signs at the plate
The 2023 campaign has been full of highs and lows for the Boston Red Sox. While they have struggled at times, players such as Brayan Bello and Jarren Duran have emerged as key parts of the future. More help is on the way, and one player who is steadily making his way through the system is Brooks Brannon.
After an impressive high school career, the Red Sox selected Brannon with the 279th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. While he went in the ninth round, he signed for $712,500, the equivalent of third-round money. The investment is paying off through the first two years of his professional career.
In 21 games between Rookie ball and Low-A, Brannon has posted a .305 batting average and driven in 28 runs. Although his sample size is small, 13 of his 25 hits have gone for extra bases. While the North Carolina native is making headlines with his bat, he also provides solid defense behind the plate.
Brannon has only committed one error through 75 innings of work this season. He has caught seven base stealers and shown improvement in controlling the running game since his promotion to Low-A on June 28. That is an encouraging sign for the Red Sox.
When the Randleman High School product makes contact, the ball explodes off his bat. The 19-year-old will be tested as the competition increases, but he has shown a solid approach at the plate so far. He also is not afraid to use all fields and has produced some of the highest exit velocities in the Red Sox’s system.
As the season continues, Brannon will be a player to watch. He is currently ranked No. 20 on the Red Sox’s top 30 prospect list by MLB.com. His stock has been on the rise due to his bat, and he is one of the best catchers in the system. Only Nathan Hickey is ranked higher. However, that will change in the coming weeks once Josh Teel, who the Red Sox selected with the 14th overall pick in the draft, signs.
If Brannon can continue his recent play, the Red Sox will have a few intriguing options behind the plate in the next few years.
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