2018 Boston Red Sox Top Prospects: Where Are They Now?
A Blog By Dean
Recently, I saw a great thread on X breaking down the Top 25 prospects from the San Diego Padres. You can see it below.
I was motivated to look at the Boston Red Sox and explore some of their past farm systems. I decided to start with the last time they won the World Series…. 2018.
This list is…. not great, but there are some familiar names and the biggest surprise to me was seeing Bryan Bello on this list. Honestly, I did not realize he was in the farm system for so long.
Without further ado, here are the Top 20 Prospects from the 2018 Boston Red Sox.
Michael Chavis (3B/1B) – Rank #1
2018 Outlook: Power-hitting infielder with plate discipline concerns.
Then: Top Red Sox prospect, returning from PED suspension.
Now: Signed minor league deal with the Dodgers (Triple-A OKC, 2025).
MLB Career: .238 AVG | 42 HR | 142 RBI | .678 OPS in 407 games
Jay Groome (LHP) – Rank #2
2018 Outlook: High-upside lefty with a power curve.
Then: Underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018.
Now: Traded to Padres in 2022, yet to debut in MLB.
MLB Career: No MLB appearances as of 2025
Tanner Houck (RHP) – Rank #3
2018 Outlook: Sinker-slider righty with bullpen floor.
Then: Refining mechanics in minors.
Now: Mainstay in Boston’s rotation; currently on IL (flexor strain).
MLB Career: 24–32 | 3.81 ERA | 449 K in 474.1 IP (113 games)
2025 Season: 0–3 | 8.04 ERA in 43.2 IP
Bryan Mata (RHP) – Rank #4
2018 Outlook: High-velocity arm with raw command.
Then: Moving through High-A and Double-A.
Now: Still with Red Sox, pitching in Triple-A Worcester.
MiLB Career: 30–27 | 3.57 ERA | 492 K in 467 IP
Bobby Dalbec (1B/3B) – Rank #5
2018 Outlook: Big power, big strikeouts.
Then: Blasting homers in Double-A.
Now: Signed with Brewers (Triple-A Nashville, 2025).
MLB Career: .222 AVG | 47 HR | 143 RBI | .718 OPS in 341 games
Jeter Downs (SS/2B) – Rank #6
2018 Outlook: Athletic infielder, solid all-around.
Then: Traded to Boston in the Mookie Betts deal.
Now: With Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (NPB).
MLB Career: .182 AVG | 1 HR | .533 OPS in 20 games
Triston Casas (1B) – Rank #7
2018 Outlook: Elite power prospect.
Then: Just drafted, big frame and huge upside.
Now: Boston’s everyday 1B; out for 2025 (knee injury).
MLB Career: .241 AVG | 45 HR | 120 RBI | .800 OPS
Durbin Feltman (RHP) – Rank #8
2018 Outlook: College closer expected to rise fast.
Then: Immediate bullpen assignment in minors.
Now: Minor league arm with Oakland (Double-A Midland, 2025).
MiLB Career: 19–11 | 4.49 ERA | 252 K in 214.2 IP
Antoni Flores (SS) – Rank #9
2018 Outlook: Highly touted international signing.
Then: Playing in Gulf Coast League.
Now: Released in 2022.
MiLB Career: .219 AVG | 3 HR | 41 RBI | .615 OPS in 168 games
Brayan Bello (RHP) – Rank #10
2018 Outlook: Live arm, projectable starter.
Then: Low-A development project.
Now: One of Boston’s top young starters.
MLB Career: 12–11 | 4.24 ERA | 194 K in 214.2 IP
2025 Season (so far): 2–0 | 2.33 ERA
C.J. Chatham (SS) – Rank #11
2018 Outlook: Contact bat, strong glove.
Then: Double-A starter with a future utility profile.
Now: Out of affiliated baseball since 2022.
MiLB Career: .298 AVG | 10 HR | .742 OPS in 303 games
Josh Ockimey (1B) – Rank #12
2018 Outlook: Patient lefty slugger.
Then: Crushing pitches at Double-A.
Now: Minor league journeyman, last seen with Phillies’ system.
MiLB Career: .234 AVG | 93 HR | .786 OPS in 681 games
Alex Scherff (RHP) – Rank #13
2018 Outlook: Big fastball, starter potential.
Then: Red Sox minor league depth.
Now: Pitched in Mexican League and Venezuelan Winter League (2024).
MiLB Career: 14–22 | 4.43 ERA | 313 K in 314.2 IP
Nick Decker (OF) – Rank #14
2018 Outlook: Lefty bat with pop.
Then: 2nd-round pick getting reps in rookie ball.
Now: Still in Red Sox system, on Development List.
MiLB Career: .209 AVG | 33 HR | .700 OPS in 1,050 AB
Brett Netzer (2B) – Rank #15
2018 Outlook: Contact-oriented second baseman.
Then: Steady bat at High-A Salem.
Now: Released in 2021.
MiLB Career: .263 AVG | 10 HR | .700 OPS in 330 games
Tanner Nishioka (INF) – Rank #16
2018 Outlook: Underrated utility bat.
Then: Hitting well in High-A.
Now: Retired in 2021.
MiLB Career: .281 AVG | 19 HR | .352 OBP in 241 games
Ty Buttrey (RHP) – Rank #17
2018 Outlook: Tall reliever with strikeout upside.
Then: Traded to Angels during 2018 season.
Now: Released by Mariners in 2024.
MLB Career: 8–11 | 4.30 ERA | 122 K in 115 IP
Travis Lakins Sr. (RHP) – Rank #18
2018 Outlook: Middle relief potential.
Then: Already in upper minors.
Now: Signed in 2025 with Unión Laguna (Mexican League).
MLB Career: 4–8 | 4.84 ERA | 75 K in 87.1 IP
Darwinzon Hernández (LHP) – Rank #19
2018 Outlook: Electric stuff, erratic control.
Then: Just entering Double-A.
Now: Pitching in Japan for Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
MLB Career: 3–4 | 5.06 ERA | 133 K in 85.1 IP
2024 NPB Stats: 3–3 | 2.59 ERA | 73 K | 3 saves
Tyler Hill (OF) – Rank #20
2018 Outlook: Speedy, toolsy outfielder.
Then: Producing in A-ball.
Now: Out of affiliated baseball; last seen in Rockies’ system (2022).
MiLB Career: .272 AVG | 24 HR | .373 SLG in 1,627 AB
Reached MLB: Casas, Bello, Houck, Chavis, Dalbec
Still in MiLB: Mata, Decker, Feltman, Scherff
Overseas (NPB/Mexico): Hernández, Lakins
Retired/Out of Baseball: Netzer, Nishioka, Flores, Hill
Biggest Success: Brayan Bello – Legitimate rotation piece
Biggest Falloff: Antoni Flores – Never made it past A-ball
Most Surprising Outcome: Darwinzon Hernández – MLB struggles but thriving in Japan
If you haven’t already done so, please consider subscribing below. It is free, but if you choose a paid subscription, know that it all goes towards our great writers.
Also, go check out Chinook Seedery for some amazing sunflower seeds. Use code theskippersview at checkout for a discount.