Anthony, Yorke lead Red Sox Organization All-Stars

Each offseason, MiLB.com goes position by position across each organization and honors the players -- regardless of age or prospect status -- who had the best seasons in each farm system. First up in our 2023 Organization All-Stars series is the Boston Red Sox.

2023 organization summary:
Triple-A Worcester: 79-68
Double-A Portland: 73-63
High-A Greenville: 63-69 (South Atlantic League champions)
Single-A Salem: 55-72
FCL Red Sox: 28-25
DSL Red Sox Blue: 28-26
DSL Red Sox Red: 26-26
Overall record: 352-349 (14th among MLB organizations)
Midseason farm system ranking: 16

Red Sox 2023 Organization All-Stars:

C: Nathan Hickey (BOS No. 15)
A+/AA: .265/.362/.496, 98 G, 19 HR, 65 RBI, 62 R, 52 BB, 3 SB
Hickey’s offensive profile is often compared to Kyle Schwarber, which was recently explored further at the start of the Arizona Fall League season. The similar pop was evident for the 23-year-old -- he reached career highs in homers and ISO (.231). Following his promotion to Portland in May, Hickey found some consistency at the plate and was named to the circuit’s circuit's All-Star team at the end of the season.

1B: Blaze Jordan (BOS No. 12)
A+/AA: .296/.350/.481, 122 G, 18 HR, 86 RBI, 67 R, 40 BB, 2 SB
Jordan made a name for himself by hitting viral, behemoth homers in his early teen years. This season, he sacrificed some power for more consistent contact while significantly cutting down his strikeout rate, even as he forced a promotion to Double-A. The 20-year-old was one of only 17 Minor Leaguers with at least 32 doubles and 18 homers this season and his 14.3 strikeout rate was the lowest among that group.

2B: Nick Yorke (BOS No. 6)
AA: .268/.350/.435, 110 G, 13 HR, 61 RBI, 74 R, 51 BB, 18 SB
After an excellent debut in 2021, Yorke struggled through an injury-riddled 2022. The 21-year-old returned to form in the Arizona Fall League last year and carried that momentum into the regular season. The Sea Dogs named Yorke their team MVP, and he ranked among the top five in the Eastern League in hits, runs, triples, doubles and total bases while playing stellar defense at second base, committing just six errors.

3B: Bobby Dalbec
AAA: .269/.381/.557, 114 G, 33 HR, 79 RBI, 82 R, 64 BB, 18 SB
It’s difficult for a veteran with significant Major League experience to stomach almost a full season in the Minors. But Dalbec did just that while improving in specific areas that held him back in The Show. He continued to hit homers at an impressive rate, but Boston's director of player development Brian Abraham noted that he also showed a better understanding of when to adjust his approach and make more consistent contact, particularly later in counts.

SS: Eddinson Paulino (BOS No. 21)
A+: .257/.338/.420, 115 G, 12 HR, 58 RBI, 68 R, 50 BB, 26 SB
The Red Sox have strong depth at shortstop – namely, Mayer, who was held back by injuries this season. Paulino was a key contributor in Greenville’s South Atlantic League championship team, driving in a pair of runs in the title-clinching game. The 21-year-old didn’t handle the bat quite as well against High-A pitching. But he should return to form as he matures and makes better swing decisions.

OF: Roman Anthony (BOS No. 2, MLB No. 35)
A/A+/AA: .272/.403/.466, 106 G, 14 HR, 64 RBI, 78 R, 86 BB, 16 SB
A true breakout star of the 2023 season, the 19-year-old only got better as he advanced two levels in his first full season. He finished with 12 hits in 35 at-bats (.343) in his final 10 games with Portland. Abraham made note of Anthony’s strike-zone awareness and ability to drive the ball to all fields. Anthony can develop into an even greater five-tool threat as his bat speed and outfield reads improve.

OF: Ceddanne Rafaela (BOS No. 3, MLB No. 72)
AA/AAA: .302/.349/.520, 108 G, 20 HR, 79 RBI, 80 R, 26 BB, 36 SB
Among the most exciting players in the Minors – particularly at both center field and shortstop – for the past two seasons, Rafaela posted the best offensive numbers of his career after being promoted to Triple-A in June and cracked the Majors two months later. The 23-year-old remained aggressive at the plate, but Abraham noted that Rafaela made better swing decisions throughout the year – which will be paramount to his success at the Major League level.

OF: Wilyer Abreu (BOS No. 17)
AAA: .274/.391/.538, 86 G, 22 HR, 65 RBI, 67 R, 59 BB, 8 SB
Abreu was able to put a happy face on a trade that wasn’t very well received last season. The 24-year-old was an International League All-Star and Boston’s Hitting Prospect of the Year before a terrific end to the season in the Majors. Abreu, Rafaela and Enmanuel Valdez, who was also acquired in that once unpopular trade, are all impact rookies who should factor into the club’s outfield plans for 2024.

RHP: Wikelman Gonzalez (BOS No. 9)
A+/AA: 9-4, 3.96 ERA, 111 1/3 IP, 168 K, 70 BB, .190 BAA, 1.31 WHIP
Gonzalez posted a 15.58 ERA in his first four starts, but went on to finish as the organization’s strikeout leader and Pitching Prospect of the Year. Conversations with player development staff led to a revamped between-start routine and mechanical changes to make his delivery work toward the plate. Gonzalez attacked the zone with his four-pitch mix and finished with a 2.42 ERA in Portland, including a combined no-hitter in his second Eastern League start.

LHP: Dalton Rogers (BOS No. 27)
A/A+: 2-7, 4.84 ERA, 96 2/3 IP, 140 K, 61 BB, .216 BAA, 1.43 WHIP
Although Rogers tended to struggle with command and his ERA wasn’t great, he often wielded his above-average heater to show flashes of dominance. The 22-year-old allowed just one hit in three of his six starts with Salem, and on June 14 for Greenville, he struck out 11 over six hitless innings. Rogers and Gonzalez were among the five Minor Leaguers to complete at least 95 innings with at least 13 K/9 this season.

RP: Luis Guerrero
AA/AAA: 3-3, 19 SV, 2.32 ERA, 54 ⅓ IP, 68 K, 37 BB, .157 BAA, 1.23 WHIP
Out of Guerrero’s 38 scoreless appearances, there were 30 in which he didn't give up a hit and 18 in which he no baserunners got aboard. The 23-year-old righty finished third in the Minors in total saves and the Sea Dogs named him their Pitcher of the Year. Guerrero, a 2021 17th-rounder from Chipola JC in Florida, also secured the final three outs of the combined no-hitter started by Gonzalez on July 23.