20 Under 25 results: Four Red Sox prospects crack top 20

Share

The results are in, and the numbers show Boston Red Sox fans are feeling optimistic about the future of the franchise.

Boston's farm system, which has seen tremendous improvements over the last couple of years under Chaim Bloom, is well-represented in our 20 Under 25 rankings for 2022. Among all Boston athletes under 25 years old, four of the six eligible Red Sox prospects cracked the top 20. Only left-hander Jay Groome (26th) and righty Brayan Bello (27th) failed to make the cut.

FULL RANKINGS | More '20 Under 25' results: Patriots | Celtics | Bruins

Here are the four Sox up-and-comers to make it onto this year's list, along with their ranks and ratings:

6. Marcelo Mayer, SS

Previous Ranking: N/A | FAN RATING: 83.2

Mayer debuts at No. 6 on our 20 Under 25 list. The 19-year-old shortstop has surged to the top of Boston's prospect rankings since being selected No. 4 overall in the 2021 MLB Draft. Mayer was widely expected to be the first overall pick, so his high placement on this year's 20 Under 25 comes as no surprise. He'll have plenty of time to improve his ranking, starting in 2022 as he looks to continue the impressive start to his pro career.

11. Triston Casas, 1B

Previous Ranking: 24 (70.72) | FAN RATING: 79.9

Casas' flies up 13 spots to No. 11 following a memorable 2021 campaign with Double-A Portland, Triple-A Worcester, and Team USA. The slugging first baseman has established himself as a virtually untouchable Red Sox prospect and has fans excited for his likely call-up to the big-league roster in 2022. Don't be surprised if Casas, who turns 22 next month, works his way into the top five next year.ย 

15. Nick Yorke, 2B

Previous Ranking: N/A | FAN RATING: 73.5

Yorke went from not even earning a 20 Under 25 nomination last year to making this year's top 20. That's what happens when you're named the Red Sox Minor League Offensive Player of the Year. The 19-year-old second baseman raked during his time with Low-A Salem and High-A Greenville in 2021 and skyrocketed to the No. 3 spot in Baseball America's Red Sox prospect rankings as a result. All eyes will be on Yorke in 2022 as he aims to earn another promotion and maintain his reputation as one of Boston's best young bats.

17. Jeter Downs, INF

Previous Ranking: 17 (73.71) | FAN RATING: 72.9

A rough 2021 season in Worcester kept Downs from boosting his stock heading into 2022, but his 20 Under 25 numbers didn't take a major hit. The 23-year-old middle infielder maintains his No. 17 ranking and sees his rating drop only .81 after hitting just .190 and striking out 131 times in 99 games. Perhaps Downs, who was a big piece of the 2020 Mookie Betts trade, could sneak into next year's top 10 with a bounce-back campaign in 2022.

Check out the full 20 Under 25 results below:

The history of NBC Sports Boston's 20 Under 25' Rankings

Contact Us