Red Sox prospect dealing with hamstring issue just 11 days after season debut
Red Sox prospect Nazzan Zanetello made his season debut on April 23rd after missing time with an undisclosed injury. After being one of the hottest hitters in the Salem Red Sox lineup, he’s now dealing with another injury that could sideline him again.
Zanetello, 18, left Friday night’s game with a hamstring strain, according to MassLive’s Christopher Smith. The team is still evaluating his injury, and his status is to be determined.
Zanetello opened the scoring for Salem on Friday night by crushing the first pitch he saw from Myrtle Beach Pelicans hurler Marino Santy over the left center field wall. He would play five innings before being replaced by Marvin Alcantara in the top of the sixth inning.
The Missouri native was projected to be Salem’s starting shortstop this season. He’s provided a glimpse of what he can do when playing every day, but just 11 days after he debuted, he could be bound for the injured list.
Through the first six games, Zanetello is hitting .412 with one double, two homers, three RBI, four walks, one stolen base, and a 1.348 OPS.
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.”
