The Boston Red Sox have a lot to be excited about, both this year and in the future.
They’re the perfect mix of young talent and veteran stars to push for a World Series in 2025 as well as for the next five or six years. But Boston’s farm system might get even stronger in the next year or two.
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter recently predicted the Red Sox would select Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft.
“After logging just 103 plate appearances as a freshman and struggling in the Northwoods League, Lackey turned in a breakout sophomore season, hitting .347/.421/.500 with 21 extra-base hits and 18 steals,” Reuter wrote. “He is also a polished defender behind the plate and was the catcher for the Collegiate National Team this summer, putting him in position to be the first backstop off the board in 2026.”
The Red Sox desperately need to add another young catcher to their farm system and eventually to their big league club. After trading Kyle Teel to the Chicago White Sox in the Garrett Crochet blockbuster move, the Red Sox have leaned on players like Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong.
By drafting a potential five-tool prospect like Lackey, the Red Sox would effectively replace Teel in their farm system with their first-round pick in 2026. Obviously, it’s nearly impossible to accurately predict how a college player will transition to the big leagues, but Lackey has all the tools to be successful at the highest level. This would be a dream selection for Boston.
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