Nazzan Zanetello makes season debut on Tuesday night for the Salem Red Sox
Red Sox infield prospect Nazzan Zanetello made his 2024 season debut, batting in the leadoff spot for the Salem Red Sox on Tuesday night.
Zanetello, 18, was penciled in as the team’s designated hitter, returning from the injured list with an undisclosed injury. He went 1-for-4 with one run scored and one strikeout.
The Missouri native led the game off, lining out to left field after a four-pitch at-bat. Two innings later, he popped up to left field after hammering a pitch left over the heart of the plate by the Carolina Mud Cats’ Manuel Rodriguez.
It wasn’t until the top of the sixth inning that Zanetello finally broke through against Rodriguez. After a grueling nine-pitch at-bat where he fouled off three pitches, he took an inside pitch and dropped over the first baseman’s head in right field.
Zanetello would score the Red Sox’ first run later in the inning after fellow 2023 draft pick Antonio Anderson brought him home on a sac-fly to left field.
He would be called out on strikes in his final at-bat in the top of the seventh inning.
The Red Sox second-rounder is projected to slot as the starting shortstop for Low-A Salem once he is fully healthy. After he was drafted, there were some talks that Zanetello could see time in the outfield, but he has not seen any work with the outfielder.
“Whenever I first got drafted, there were talks with David Pearson about splitting time at shortstop, third base, and center field.” Zanetello said to Beyond the Monster: “So whenever I got down to the FCL, I was kind of expecting to split time. But I've yet to play outfield, and I've yet to train with the outfielders. So I feel like I'll stay at short until told otherwise and develop as an infielder for the Red Sox.”
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, Zanetello has room to add muscle to his frame. According to his Baseball Americascouting report, Zanetello “has an impressive tool set to play in the middle of the field” and has “plenty of upside” on account of possessing “some of the best pure athleticism” in this year’s class.
The Red Sox viewed Zanetello as one of the best athletes in the entire draft last season.
“He’s one of the best athletes in the draft, in my opinion,” Red Sox amateur scouting director Devin Pearson said of Zanetello on a Zoom call after the draft last year. “He’s explosive; he’s got speed; he’s got the ability to play a really good shortstop. Athletic enough to play a really good center field. He’s just a box of tools and a great kid, and we’re really excited to add him to the organization.”
Zanetello had an off day on Wednesday morning for the early start against Carolina. The Salem Red Sox were defeated 4-3 and are now 6-11 to begin the season.
