Red Sox prospect, ‘a monster physically,’ routinely reaches 100 mph at 19 years old
Red Sox 19-year-old pitching prospect Juan Valera consistently reaches 99-100 mph. He topped out at 100. 5 mph and averaged 99.
3 mph with his four-seam fastball in Boston’s Spring Breakout game March 20. The Dominican Republic native hit triple-digits three times and threw 12 of his 16 four-seamers 99. 4 mph or harder during that showcase game between the Red Sox prospects and Orioles prospects.
“He’s a monster physically,” Red Sox assistant GM Eddie Romero said about the 6-foot-3, 205-pound teenager. “He’s done a lot of work on his secondary pitches, but when you’re sitting 96 in your sides, that’s encouraging. And he can run it up.
” Incredibly, Valera’s fastball isn’t considered the best one in the Red Sox farm system. Baseball America gives the best fastball distinction to top-pitching prospect Payton Tolle while tabbing Valera as having the best control in the system. Baseball America ranks Valera Boston’s No.
5 overall prospect. His combination of velocity and command could land him on Baseball America’s Top 100 list at some point this season. He’s healthy after being limited to 10 starts in 2025 due to elbow inflammation.
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