Red Sox pitching prospect Juan Valera on dominant run
Entering the 2024 campaign, Juan Valera was not a prospect on many people’s radars. However, that has changed over the last couple of months, as the Red Sox prospect has been nearly unhittable in the FCL and Low-A. As Valera has seen his stock rise, he has taken his game to a new level in his last few outings.
Since earning a promotion to Salem, Valera has not allowed a hit in 12 innings. During that stretch, the 18-year-old has struck out ten batters and only walked five. Against more advanced competition, Valera has continued to pound the strike zone and make life difficult for opposing hitters.
As the 2024 season enters its final stretch, Valera has looked like a different pitcher. During his first professional season, he posted a 5.93 ERA in 15 games during the 2023 campaign. While he didn’t walk many batters, he did allow 27 runs on 27 hits. This season, he has limited baserunners and has been able to work himself out of trouble, which was not the case in 2023.
In a system full of talent, Valera has started to make a name for himself. He isn’t ranked as one of the organization’s top 30 prospects but that could change with more hitless outings. For the Red Sox that would be a welcome sign as Valera’s career is just getting started.
Although Valera is still developing, he has an arsenal that includes a fastball that tops out at 97 miles per hour. He also throws a slider that keeps hitters off balance.
Over the next few weeks, Valera will be a prospect to keep an eye on. He will likely finish the year with Salem which so far he has made seem like an easy assignment. As a result he could be primed for a big 2024 campaign as he continues to move through the system.
