3 Up, 3 Down: Another Day, Another Red Sox Arm.

As we approach a month into the minor league season, I tend to put more stock into someone performing well than someone struggling, especially if that player has already established themselves. Take Ryan Clifford, for example. It’s been brutal for him at Triple-A. He’s striking out around 40% of the time with no power, but I really haven’t moved him down. I see that and think he’s just a slow starter.

Then I look at Kevin Alcantara and his .633 slugging percentage, and I start to wonder if he’s figured something out. I wouldn’t say this is the best approach, but it’s my initial reaction. Right now, it’s harder to move someone down, as I’m giving players the benefit of the doubt more often than not.

3 Up 3 Down - Prospects LiveProspects LiveTom Gates

_*Rankings reflect my personal list *Stats are through Saturday's games _

3 Up

Ronny Cruz, (Single-A) SS WSH

Photo Credit: Federal Baseball

2026 Stats: .354/.475/.667, 3 HR, 14 SB, 15 BB%, 22 K% Feb Rank: Not ranked New Rank: 240

This one is going to sting a bit. Cruz was traded from the Cubs last year in the Michael Soroka deal. Soroka only managed to pitch eight innings for the Cubs before dealing with an arm injury after arriving on the North Side.

Why the bump up?

Preseason, Cruz was graded as a 40 hit, 55 power, 45 field, 55 arm, and 45 run. The power has shown up, as he took just 11 games to surpass his home run total from last year. Based on his approach and underlying metrics, the power should continue. He’s pulling the ball in the air about 25% of the time, which puts him in the 93rd percentile. The speed has also been evident. He’s averaging nearly a stolen base per game. There is still concern about how much contact he’ll make. He’s whiffing around 40% of the time, which, as expected, is lower than his mark in Rookie ball. Right now, he’s capitalizing on the contact he does make, and when he gets on base, he’s very aggressive.

I slotted Cruz in as my 240th-ranked prospect. It felt right to place him near Jeral Perez. Both players have skills that could translate to the majors, but each has noticeable holes in their game. Cruz has a longer path, given his age, but both feel like toss-ups to become everyday players.I think Cruz’s ceiling is a middle infielder who can hit 15–20 home runs but with a low batting average. His defense will need to improve to keep him on the field consistently. His willingness to run is a plus, but since he’s not a true burner, he’ll need to be selective and efficient.

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Caleb Bonemer**,** (High-A) 3B/SS CHW

Photo Credit: MLB Pipeline

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