Articles By Jason Stellakis

  MLB Pipeline released the 2023 list for top prospects , and Red Sox top prospect Marcelo Mayer ranks 9th overall. The poised superstar has the potential to become the league’s best shortstop once he reaches the major leagues.  In his 91 games played in 2022 combined in both Single-A Salem and High-A Greenville, Mayer slashed .280/.399/.489 with 13 HRs . The number four overall pick in 2021 has real potential But he is only a prospect, and all people can do is make assumptions to how he will pan out. With the departure of longtime SS Xander Bogaerts, it can be implied that the Red Sox are reliant on Mayer making the major leagues in just one or two seasons. Because Mayer has only played in Single A, he is most likely going to need two seasons in the minors before he gets a taste of the bigs. With this all being said, the Red Sox are taking a huge risk with Mayer. It is a good time to remember that top prospects do not always pan out. It happened in 1993 with the Yankees and p...

  The Red Sox have traded relief pitcher Matt Barnes to the Miami Marlins in exchange for lefty Richard Bleir on Tuesday. Barnes was DFA’d by the Red Sox just six days prior to the trade.  This is surprising to say the least. Barnes could have gone through the same thing Eric Hosmer did: clear waivers and sign for veterans minimum elsewhere. But ultimately, Barnes has a new home in Miami.  Richard Bleir in 2022 posted a 3.55 ERA in 55 games with Miami. The southpaw is known for his low walk percentage. It was clear the Red Sox needed more lefty depth in the bullpen alongside newly acquired Joely Rodriguez, and it seems like they got their guy.  However, the Red Sox still need to clear up a spot on the 40-man roster. It seems like relief pitcher Ryan Braiser will stay put after comments made by Chaim Bloom last week. One candidate is Kaleb Ort, who posted a 6.35 ERA in 25 games in 2022. The wait-and-see game resumes for the time being. 

  As the clock ticks until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, it is clear that the Red Sox need to add depth to their middle infield. In the effort to do so, the Red Sox traded southpaw reliever Josh Taylor to the Kansas City Royals for infielder Adalberto Mondesi and either a player to be named later or cash considerations.  This trade makes some fans happy, while it causes others to scratch their heads. Although he provides some depth up the middle, he has struggled to stay on the field in his major league career. In his major league career, he has only managed to play over 75 games in his career once (2018). However, on the upside, he has proved he can be a speedy player on the bases, stealing 24 bases during the pandemic season.  There is the possibility Mondesi will miss the start of the 2023 season recovering from a torn left ACL , per President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom. Something the Red Sox currently need is a player who can play many games...

By: Jason Stellakis WELLESLEY– Two of the top teams in Massachusetts squared off on Saturday, January 6th, 2023. This highly anticipated matchup drew hundreds of people at the Babson Skating Center. Catholic Conference teams are always fun to watch. This one was certainly fun to watch. The St. John’s Prep Hockey team beat the Catholic Memorial Knights, 6-3. The Prep advances to 5-1-1. The Prep earned its first victory against a Catholic Conference team and delivered CM’s first loss of the season. The Prep, coming off a 6-0 victory against Andover, played knowing their rivals took home the Catholic Conference title last season. With CM undefeated, the Prep knew what this game meant for them. The first period consisted of many chances, but nothing went in the net, and it was tied at zero. However, CM outshot the Prep 15-12. This was similar to the start the Prep had against BC High in the Frates Classic Tournament.  Period two is where the main action started. Junior Christian Rosa c...

By: Jason Stellakis TEWKSBURY—The St. John’s Prep Eagles hockey team played their first game of 2023 against the Andover High Golden Warriors. The Prep beat Andover, 6-0. The Prep improves to 4-1-1.  After losing out on winning the Frates classic a week ago and a tough OT loss, the Prep had a lot to prove. They did that against a tough Andover squad.  The first period consisted of consistent offensive opportunities. The Prep was the stronger team. However, they only managed one goal on a shot by Caleb White to make it 1-0 Prep after one.  The next period would be by far the Prep’s most successful period, netting four goals, including senior forward Harlan Graber’s first goal of the season.  “I’ve been working hard to get that. I’m very happy,” Graber mentioned.  The third period started with a goal by Will Van Sicklin just 11 seconds in, but that would be the only goal of the period. Overall a very successful day shooting (49-19 shots in favor of the Prep) as we...