Fort Report: Arias, Gonzales enter spring spotlight as WBC begins

We are back with our fourth Fort Report of the spring. The Red Sox are 11 games into their spring training schedule and, like other clubs, are entering an interesting stretch with the 2026 World Baseball Classic set to get underway this week. Having said that, here is a look at where things stand within the organization as Opening Day draws closer.

The Red Sox will be well-represented in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Even with non-roster invitee Tayron Guerrero withdrawing from Colombia, Boston still has 14 players set to participate in the tournament: Wilyer Abreu (Venezuela), Jack Anderson (Great Britain), Roman Anthony (United States), Brayan Bello (Dominican Republic), Willson Contreras (Venezuela), Jarren Duran (Mexico), Nate Eaton (Great Britain), Jovani Moran (Puerto Rico), Ceddanne Rafaela (Netherlands), Eduardo Rivera (Puerto Rico), Ranger Suarez (Venezuela), Greg Weissert (Italy), Garrett Whitlock (United States), and Masataka Yoshida (Japan).

With several key position players away on international duty for the time being, prospects with less experience will get an opportunity to see more action in the Grapefruit League. Top infield prospect Franklin Arias, for example, got the start at shortstop for the Red Sox in Monday's contest against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. The slick-fielding 20-year-old went hitless out of the nine-hole, but he did start a nifty 6-4-3 double play in the first inning. Power-hitting outfield prospect Justin Gonzales (pictured, above) also appeared in Monday's game as a defensive substitute and went 1 for 2 with a 117.3 mph single.

Before pool play begins on Wednesday, the Red Sox will host Puerto Rico in an exhibition game at JetBlue Park on Tuesday night. Lefty Jake Bennett will get the start for Boston opposite old friend Elmer Rodriguez. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. ET on NESN+.

Veteran infielder Brendan Rodgers, who is in camp as a non-roster invitee, injured his right shoulder while diving for a ball in last Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins. The 29-year-old had imaging done and was slated to discuss his options with a doctor on Monday, according to MLB.com.

Another non-roster invitee, infield prospect Mikey Romero, has not appeared in a Grapefruit League game since last Thursday. The 22-year-old has been dealing with a tight back, according to The Boston Globe's Pete Abraham.

The Red Sox released left-hander Abis Prado last Thursday. The 19-year-old southpaw originally signed with Boston for $20,000 as an international free agent out of Venezuela in January 2024. He struggled mightily in his stateside debut last season, allowing 20 runs (16 earned) on five hits, 21 walks, and three strikeouts in six outings (3 1/3 innings) for the club's Florida Complex League affiliate.

Payton Tolle, the organization's top pitching prospect, gave an impassioned presentation on the history of the United States to the Red Sox clubhouse last week ahead of the World Baseball Classic. The presentation, which you can watch part of here, featured a cameo from world-renowned competitive eater Joey Chestnut.

Marcus Phillips, the organization's No. 6 pitching prospect, recently sat down with our own Andrew Parker to discuss his first spring training with the Red Sox. You can read Parker's full feature on the 33rd overall pick in the 2025 draft by clicking here.

Staying in-house, we continue to roll out our annual top 60 countdown on our social media sites. You can follow along on X (formerly known as Twitter), Bluesky, and Instagram to stay up to date.

Former Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo signed a minor league contract with the Padres on Sunday, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The 29-year-old is coming off a down 2025 season in which he batted just .239/.296/.289 in 56 games for the Braves before being released in July. He will now report to San Diego's minor league spring training camp.

David Hamilton is back with the organization that originally drafted him after being dealt from the Red Sox to Brewers as part of last month's Caleb Durbin trade. When speaking with reporters (including MLB.com's Adam McCalvy) over the weekend, Brewers manager Pat Murphy had this to say about the 28-year-old speedster: "He's got so much ability in there, and he's got experience, and he might be a utility player but I think he can be really good for us. I think he can take his offensive game to a whole other level."

Since our last Fort Report dropped on the morning of February 24, the following Red Sox minor leaguers not in major league camp have appeared in at least one Grapefruit League game:

Pitchers: Jay Allmer, Calvin Bickerstaff, Steven Brooks, Max Carlson, Cade Feeney, Patrick Halligan, Griffin Kilander, PJ Labriola, Michael Sansone, Reidis Sena, Joe Vogatsky

Position players: Marvin Alcantara, Franklin Arias, Enddy Azocar, Yoeilin Cespedes, Freili Encarnacion, Justin Gonzales, Isaiah Jackson, Skylar King, Avinson Pinto, Yophery Rodriguez, Phillip Sikes, Nelly Taylor, Mason White, Nazzan Zanetello