Speedy Red Sox top prospect tabbed as potential ‘bounce back candidate’ in 2025
One of the hyped prospects in the Red Sox system not named Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony, and Kristian Campbell is Miguel Bleis.
It feels like Bleis has been around forever, with fans anxiously waiting for him to continue his climb through the Red Sox system.
The last couple of seasons for the young outfielder haven’t exactly gone to plan. He suffered a shoulder subluxation in 2023 and had a down year offensively in 2024 that saw him earn a promotion to High-A Greenville.
Bleis heads into the 2025 season with immense potential, and Baseball America lists the 20-year-old as a possible bounce-back candidate.
“Bleis succeeded in his first two seasons in Boston’s farm system,” wrote Baseball America. “But after surgery to repair a left shoulder subluxation in 2023, the 20-year-old has struggled to pick up steam in the past two years. The Dominican outfielder has the toolset to be a key fixture with his quick bat speed and plus power potential. He needs to cut down his whiffs and work on his vision at the plate, especially with breaking pitches in the zone. Bleis led the Red Sox system with 38 stolen bases. His speed also helps his defensive value.”
Baseball America has Bleis ranked as the Red Sox No. 9 prospect in the system.
Bleis’ abilities are off the charts; however, his inability to stay healthy and get consistency at the plate has tarnished his stock some. He offers the raw abilities of a superstar that pair with plus supporting tools. Bleis hasn’t really hit to his projections in the minors, leaving many to question whether he has enough in his bat to hit at the upper levels or even the big levels.
Ahead of the 2024 season, the speedy outfielder bulked up, adding 30 pounds of muscle. He still struggled offensively, batting .257 with a .349 on-base percentage, .398 slugging percentage, .746 OPS, four home runs, 10 doubles, and one triple in 43 games while beginning the season at Low-A Salem. Following his promotion to Greenville, his bat continued to be non-existent, posting a .191 batting average with seven home runs and six doubles in 52 games.
Despite his struggles, Bleis remains a five-tool player that could easily crack the top-100 prospect rankings. He needs to put it together offensively, and if he is indeed a true bounce-back candidate, Bleis could call Portland home by the middle of the 2025 season.
The Red Sox should let Pivetta go, but definitely re-sign Kenley Jansen, IMO