Boston Red Sox
Boston’s ceiling may not be reached this season if the Red Sox don’t get key contributions from players like Marcelo Mayer, Brayan Bello, and others.
Expectations are high for the 2026 Red Sox.
On paper, there’s a lot to like about this Red Sox team, be it a stout starting rotation or an influx of young talent sprinkled across the depth chart.
But, the promise rooted in Boston’s roster does not guarantee sustained success of a 162-game slate this summer.
The Red Sox might have to rely on veterans like Garrett Crochet, Jarren Duran, Willson Contreras, and Trevor Story early and often this summer.
If the Red Sox are going to hit their ceiling and entrench themselves as legitimate World Series contenders, several players are going to need to have big years at Fenway Park.
Here are seven X-factors on this current Red Sox club:
Roman Anthony, OF
Roman Anthony might only have 71 games of big-league experience at this stage of his promising MLB career.
But, it’s a testament to Anthony’s soaring stock that the 21-year-old outfielder is already attracting some hype as a legitimate MVP candidate in his first full year with the Red Sox.
Anthony already has the makings of a transformative, franchise fixture — with the poised slugger spurring Boston’s mid-season turnaround last June after his call-up from Triple-A Worcester.
Now, expectations will be even higher for Anthony, as Boston can ill-afford a sophomore slump from the player who will be tasked with setting the table for the rest of the Red Sox lineup out of the leadoff spot.
That’s not exactly fair for Anthony, who doesn’t have the luxury of relying on star hitters like Rafael Devers or Alex Bregman to shoulder some of that burden moving forward.
But Anthony — based on what we’ve seen so far — might be up for such a sizable undertaking.
Brayan Bello, RHP
The Red Sox already have the makings of an elite rotation with Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray, and Ranger Suarez leading the way.
But, another breakthrough season from 26-year-old righty Brayan Bello would put an already loaded area of the roster over the top this summer.
Bello made some strides in 2025, going 11-9 with a 3.35 ERA across 28 starts. But, he faltered down the stretch, culminating in a disappointing Game 2 start against the Yankees in the Wild Card round, where he only threw 28 pitches.
The promising starter has looked good so far during spring training and World Baseball Classic games. Over his last four starts (since March 4), Bello has only given up one earned run on nine hits over 19 innings with two walks and 23 strikeouts.
If he can carry that momentum over to the regular season — especially when it comes to boosting his swing-and-miss rate — Bello could emerge as a dominant No. 3 or No. 4 starter this year.
Wilyer Abreu, RF
Even if Anthony takes off this season and Willson Contreras provides plenty of pop at the plate out of the cleanup spot, the Red Sox still have plenty of question marks in their lineup when it comes to home-run power.
Alex Cora doesn’t seem all that concerned, considering he’s operating with the assumption that Wilyer Abreu is swatting 30 home runs in 2026. Abreu, a two-time Gold Glove winner, already provides tremendous value to Boston both on the field and at the plate.
But, as evidenced by his clutch homers for Team Venezuela en route to a WBC title, Abreu can dole out plenty of damage at the plate. After hitting 22 homers and driving in 69 runs in an injury-shortened 2025 season (115 games), Abreu should be able to make a push for his first 30-homer season this summer.
The Red Sox would welcome such a development.
Connelly Early, LHP
Connelly Early wasn’t exactly deemed a can’t-miss, blue-chip prospect as late as last summer. But, that sentiment changed in short order.
The southpaw dominated in his first four MLB starts to close out the ‘25 campaign, allowing just six runs over 19.1 innings while striking out 29 batters and walking four. He also held his own while getting the ball in a deciding Game 3 of Boston’s Wild Card round against the Yankees.
Early earned a spot on Boston’s Opening Day roster after impressing during spring training, with the 23-year-old lefty posting a 1.59 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 17 innings. If Johan Oviedo labors as Boston’s No. 5 starter, Early could carve out a regular role in Boston’s rotation moving forward.
Marcelo Mayer, 2B
There’s a lot to like about Marcelo Mayer’s future profile in the big leagues.
He’s an athletic, plus defender who should help shore up Boston’s infield at second base this season, and potentially at shortstop for the foreseeable future.
As seen during his several seasons in the minors, the 23-year-old blends that defensive skillset with plus hit tools — boasting legitimate 20-homer power at the plate.
However, Mayer struggled at the plate last season against big-league pitching — batting .228 with four home runs and 41 strikeouts across 127 at-bats (44 games).
On top of that, Mayer has some major question marks regarding his durability. He has yet to play more than 91 games in a season since the Boston Red Sox drafted him fourth overall in the 2021 MLB Entry Draft.
If he can stay on the field, Mayer — even with some expected growing pains at the plate — should develop into a franchise regular in 2026. But that’s a big if.
Caleb Durbin, 3B
Caleb Durbin has some big shoes to fill as Boston’s replacement at the hot corner over Alex Bregman.
Still, the 5-foot-6 infielder should ingratiate himself to Red Sox fans in short order, given his scrappy approach and willingness to grind out at-bats. Even after finishing third in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2025, Durbin likely isn’t going to be a star in Boston.
But, his plus defense and ability to counteract some of Boston’s swing-and-miss flaws with his sharp plate discipline should make him a vital connective cog in Alex Cora’s lineup and at third base.
Payton Tolle, LHP
Payton Tolle won’t start the 2026 season up in the big leagues. But, the Red Sox’ top prospect could factor heavily into Boston’s fortunes as the year goes on.
The fireball-throwing lefty rose through the ranks of Boston’s farm system in record time last season, opening the year in High-A Salem before punching his ticket to MLB in August.
He lost out in the numbers game this spring, despite the 23-year-old southpaw posting a 2.53 ERA in 10.2 innings of work this spring while striking out 13 and walking one.
If injuries arise in Boston — or Tolle dominates in Worcester — he should be back in the big leagues in no time. Tolle’s blistering fastball could make him a viable candidate for the back end of the bullpen if needed — especially if Boston’s stalwarts in relief like Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock regress this summer.
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