Next Boston Stars? How Red Sox Legend Views New Wave Of Young Talent

BOSTON — The Red Sox missed the playoffs for the third straight year, though they’ve built the MLB foundation of their next core.

Young talents like Triston Casas, Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Tanner Houck and Brayan Bello joined established players like Rafael Devers. Now, an elite prospect pool headlined by Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony, Kyle Teel and Kristian Campbell sits on the verge of joining the big-league club in 2025 and, with impact moves in the offseason, could deliver Boston its first postseason berth since 2021.

Jason Varitek, Boston’s former catcher and current game planning coordinator, will help develop those players as they arrive for the Red Sox and preach a common mindset.

“We have to have the same mindset,” Varitek told NESN.com Friday at the Pedro Martinez Foundation gala. “We have to continue to get better and continue to focus on being better. Pitch well. Play good defense. Every aspect of the game has to get better. With youth, you’re going to have growing pains. With the growing pains, we have to continue to work hard and continue to focus on what makes us better today.”

Varitek follows manager Alex Cora, who signed a three-year extension in 2024, with continuity that should seriously benefit the Red Sox in 2025.

“Phenomenal,” Varitek replied. “Especially for those young players. (Alex) being at the head of our whole organization and the team at the big leagues. To have that continuity back from early development in the beginning of last year. They had the same face, trust and ability to move forward together.