Noah

Song

Sikkema was the 38th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft but has been unable to stick with the Yankees, Royals, or Reds prior to this season. He allowed five runs on 10 hits in five innings for the Red Sox this season. At one point, it seemed like Seth Martinez was destined for a spot in the Red Sox bullpen, but he got hit hard in his last outing and will now re-evaluate his next move. Song is the only one with minor league options remaining, and the former fourth-round pick looked good in spring, allowing just one run on three hits in eight innings while striking out nine and walking four. The Red Sox will hope to keep him in the organization.

It sure would be great to see Song in the majors this summer, seven years after his shining debut in the Red Sox system was followed by a three-year commitment to the Navy. He touched 97.6 mph and averaged 95.0 mph with his fastball in the 31-pitch outing today. Last year, he averaged 93.8 mph in three late relief appearances for Triple-A Worcester.

Typically pitching about two innings at a time, Song had a 3.98 ERA and a 44/22 K/BB in 43 innings for Double-A Portland. The Red Sox will face a decision this winter whether or not to put him on the 40-man roster, but from the sound of things, his current stuff probably doesn’t warrant it.

Song was a fourth-round pick for the Red Sox back in 2019 and impressed with two earned runs allowed on 10 hits in 17 innings with 19 strikeouts and five walks in his seven-start pro debut. He was then called to complete his four-year Naval flight school commitment. Early in the summer of 2022, he applied for a waiver from the Navy and was selected by the Phillies in the Rule 5 draft while he waited for word. Unfortunately, he then missed most of the 2023 season with a back injury and had Tommy John surgery in 2024, so it’s been a long road back for the now 27-year-old. He has thrown under 60 minor league innings, but the Red Sox will likely be aggressive with his assignment and see how quickly he can ascend through the organization.

Song was returned to the Red Sox from the Phillies after previously being selected in the Rule 5 Draft. Song then underwent Tommy John surgery in March of last season but is reportedly on the way back. The Red Sox are “optimistic about his progress” but “will see how spring training goes... He’s strong, showing good progress.” Song won’t face live hitters until later in the spring so he’ll likely stay in extended spring training to continue to rehab instead of heading to a minor-league affiliate. The 26-year-old has a 3.81 career minor league ERA in 49 2/3 innings with a 50/22 K/BB ratio.

This is a tough blow for the 26-year-old who missed most of the 2023 season with a back strain when he was with the Phillies. Song, who was drafted by the Red Sox in 2019, had to put a pause on his professional baseball career after his first season with Boston to fulfill his military obligations with the Navy.

Song passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment by the Phillies over the weekend. It was wildly unpopular when the 26-year-old got away last winter, so the Red Sox have to be thrilled to get him back. Song has been a unique case due to service in the Navy, so now the Red Sox can work on his development without having to rush him to the majors.

The Red Sox have yet to officially announce his return to the organization. Song, who was picked up in last year’s Rule 5 Draft, was recently designated by the Phillies. He presumably passed through waivers, allowing him to return to Boston. The 26-year-old has missed most of the season due to a lingering back issue.

Song was a pretty savvy pickup by the Phillies in last year’s Rule 5 Draft, but simply isn’t ready to stick on a big-league roster at this stage of his development after so much missed time. The 26-year-old right-hander will presumably draw some interest from other teams, and could be moved before Tuesday’s trade deadline. He’ll wind up being returned to the Red Sox if that doesn’t happen.

The timing of the rehab assignment puts Song’s potential return to Philadelphia’s active roster sometime in late July, which is right around the trade deadline. The 26-year-old Rule 5 selection has been out since spring training due to a lower back strain.