With raw pop inherited from father, Brannon paces Red Sox prospects in AFL

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Brooks Brannon had a monster senior season in 2022, helping Randleman (N.C.) High School win its second consecutive 2-A state championship while leading national prep players with 20 homers and 91 RBIs in 34 games. He tied the state home run record that had been set by his father Paul in 1989.

"It was an absolute blast being able to kind of chase his legacy in a sense," Brooks said. "Ever since I was younger, we always talked about how I'm going to hit 21, I'm going to hit 21, and being tied with him is almost better than breaking it. Now alphabetically, I am higher [he said with a laugh].

"He's been the No. 1 person in my career who has helped push me to be a better baseball player. My dad is one of the biggest reasons why I'm here."

The Mariners drafted the elder Brannon in the fourth round in 1990 and he spent four seasons in the Minors, topping out in High-A. The Red Sox selected Brooks in the ninth round 32 years later, spending third-round money ($712,500) to lure him away from a North Carolina scholarship.

Brooks Brannon figures to match his father by reaching High-A in 2025, and he has the talent to go further. To help expedite his progress after a pair of injury-filled pro seasons, Boston has sent him to the Arizona Fall League. He went 5-for-20 with a homer in his first five games with the Mesa Solar Sox, splitting time between catcher and DH.

A physical 5-foot-11, 210-pounder, Brannon generates some of the best raw power and highest exit velocities in the Red Sox system. He's strong and has a quick right-handed swing, though he didn't face much advanced pitching as an amateur and needs to improve his swing decisions, a focus for him in the Fall League.

Brannon also is gaining some much-needed at-bats after a back injury limited him to 17 games in 2023 and arthroscopic surgery on his left knee cost him the first seven weeks of this season. After a rehab stint in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League, he batted .251/.325/.396 with six homers in 54 Single-A games.

Missing time also has restricted Brannon's development as a catcher. He has plus arm strength and quick feet behind the plate, but he needs more polish, especially with his framing and blocking. He said one of the biggest adjustments has been to separate the offensive and defensive parts of his game and not let the performance in one aspect affect the other.

"I'm learning how to hit pro pitching and I'm learning how to catch it too and how to call it," Brannon said. "Catching is a very cerebral position, so learning how to be an intelligent pitch caller has been a major thing for me. Learning guys, being able to be personable with guys, being able to handle the bullpen ... It's been hard but I feel like I'm growing and maturing more as a player."

Red Sox hitters in the Fall League

Max Ferguson, INF/OF: Part of the Eric Hosmer trade with the Padres in August 2022, Ferguson stands out most with his plus speed (he stole 61 bases that season) and patient approach at the plate. An ankle injury cost him four months this season, and he batted just .152/.255/.272 with three homers in 28 games between Double-A and Triple-A.

Caden Rose, OF: A seventh-round pick out of Alabama in 2023, Rose missed his first pro summer recovering from shoulder and hamstring ailments and played just 35 games at two Class A levels this year with a hand injury. A center fielder with solid speed and gap power, he slashed .232/.329/.400 in his pro debut.

Red Sox pitchers in the Fall League

Cooper Adams, RHP: Signed as a nondrafted free agent in February after pitching at Maryland-Baltimore County and Mount St. Mary's, Adams has a 94-96 mph fastball that reaches 98 and a mid-80s sweeper that's the best of his secondary pitches. He compiled a 5.08 ERA with 59 strikeouts in 79 2/3 innings in High-A.

Zach Fogell, LHP: An 18th-round selection from Connecticut in 2023, Fogell operates with a low-90s sinker, a low-80s sweeper and a deceptive delivery. He posted a 3.03 ERA, .204 opponent average and 74 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings between two Class A stops.

Danny Kirwin, RHP: Another nondrafted free agent, Kirwin signed in April after the independent Oakland Ballers posted a video on social media that showed his fastball clocked at 98 mph. The Rider product sits at 92-96 mph with his heater and also uses a mid-80s slider and a harder cutter. He logged a 3.63 ERA, .211 opponent average and 69 strikeouts in 69 innings in Single-A. For more on Kirwin, check out this feature by Jesse Borek.

Conor Steinbaugh, RHP: The third NDFA among Boston's five AFL arms, Steinbaugh pitched in college at Lincoln Trail (Ill.) Community College and Akron and was out of baseball in 2023 before turning pro last March. Relying heavily on a low-80s slider that he sets up with a low-90s fastball, he recorded a 3.74 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings between two Class A stops.

Tyler Uberstine, RHP: Uberstine topped out at 75 mph with his fastball in high school and pitched for the club team at Southern California but couldn't make the Trojans' varsity. After he improved his delivery and stuff working with former big leaguer Joe Biemel, he cracked Northwestern's roster and the Red Sox drafted him in the 19th round in 2021. Now he works in the low 90s with his two- and four-seam fastballs and in the low 80s with his sweeper. He had Tommy John surgery in June 2023 and returned to the mound this August, pitching 4 2/3 innings in High-A.