Red Sox Lose Top 20 Prospect to White Sox After Five Years

The Boston Red Sox lost pitching prospect Jedixson Paez to the Chicago White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday.

Paez signed with the Red Sox in 2021 as an international prospect. His $450,000 siging bonus was the fourth largest of the Red Sox’s 2021 class, and the highest of any pitcher Boston signed during the 2021 international signing period.

Paez was the Red Sox’s No. 18 prospect, but they chose not to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. The White Sox selected him with the second pick in the first round of the MLB Phase of the Rule 5 Draft.

He is now the White Sox’s No. 15 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. Since signing with the Red Sox, he has reached the High-A level. Last season, he started just seven games, posting a 2.79 ERA.

Paez had actually been a solid prospect for the Red Sox. The 22-year-old has a 3.22 ERA in 73 games and has made 58 starts in the minor leagues. However, he spent most of last season on the injured list.

He pitched just 19 1/3 innings last season. He posted 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings in his limited time on the mound. Despite Paez being one of the best prospects in the organization, Boston felt it was fine not to add him to the 40-man roster, protecting him from being selected in the Rule 5 draft.

The Red Sox did not select anyone in the MLB Phase of the Rule 5 draft. However, they did make a trade for Ryan Watson, who was selected by the Athletics with the eighth overall pick in the Rule 5 Draft.

The Red Sox traded Justin Riemer and cash to the Athletics in exchange for Watson. Craig Breslow described Watson as a pitcher Boston has “liked for a long time,” per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. Watson could make the Opening Day roster as a right-handed piece in the bullpen.