The MLB season is a grind-162 games over six months doesn’t just test a team’s depth, it reveals it. And for a club like the Boston Red Sox, the long haul of the season offers more than just a shot at October baseball.
It’s a proving ground. A chance for established stars to shine, for rising prospects to break out, and for overlooked names to flip the script on expectations.
Heading into 2026, the Red Sox are clearly aiming to build on recent momentum. There’s a sense of purpose around the team, a focus on development and postseason aspirations. While names like Roman Anthony, Garrett Crochet, Willson Contreras, and Ranger Suárez are already drawing buzz as potential difference-makers, there’s another tier of players-guys flying under the radar-who could end up playing pivotal roles this year.
Let’s take a closer look at three Red Sox players who may not be front and center right now, but could end up being pleasant surprises in 2026.
Masataka Yoshida: More Than Just a Contract
Masataka Yoshida’s time in Boston has been a mixed bag in the eyes of many fans. The $15 million annual price tag, combined with the team’s self-imposed financial constraints, has made him a lightning rod for criticism. Add in the crowded outfield picture, and he’s become something of a scapegoat in roster debates.
But here’s the thing: Yoshida can hit. He’s a career .282 hitter with a .762 OPS across three seasons in Boston.
That’s solid production, especially for a player who hasn’t always had consistent playing time. And when he did get regular at-bats late last season?
He raked-posting a .333 average and .887 OPS in September of 2025.
He may not be penciled in as an everyday starter to begin 2026, but he’s going to get his chances. And when he does, don’t be surprised if he reminds fans why Boston brought him over in the first place. He’s got the bat-to-ball skills, the approach, and the experience to be a key contributor-especially if injuries or slumps open the door for more playing time.
Johan Oviedo: The Sleeper Arm with Upside
Johan Oviedo might be the most overlooked addition to the Red Sox pitching staff this offseason. He wasn’t the headline name among the trio of new starters, and with just nine appearances in 2025 after rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, he’s still somewhat of an unknown quantity.
But the tools? They’re there.
At 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, Oviedo looks more like a tight end than a pitcher. He brings serious physicality to the mound, and his metrics back up the intrigue.
In 2025, his extension-how far he releases the ball toward home plate-ranked in the 98th percentile at 7.4 feet. That’s elite territory.
Pair that with a fastball that averaged 95.5 MPH and featured strong vertical movement, and you’ve got a profile that fits exactly what this Red Sox pitching development group loves to work with.
This will be his first full season post-surgery, and if the Red Sox can tap into his raw stuff and refine it, Oviedo could become a major piece of the rotation puzzle. Don’t be shocked if he’s not just serviceable-but legitimately good.
Shane Drohan: The Lefty Wild Card
Shane Drohan might not be a household name in Boston yet, but he’s one to keep an eye on. The 27-year-old southpaw was protected from the Rule 5 Draft this winter and earned a spot on the 40-man roster. That’s a sign that the organization sees value here-and with good reason.
Drohan had a strong showing in the minors last season, and while he’s expected to open 2026 in Triple-A as a starter, the path to the big leagues is clear. The Red Sox bullpen currently features just two left-handed relievers, and that shortage could open the door for Drohan to make the jump midseason.
Given the number of lefty starters ahead of him on the depth chart, his most likely role in Boston would be out of the pen. And with his track record in the minors, he could be the kind of arm who not only gets called up-but sticks.
Final Word
Every season, there are players who surprise us-guys who weren’t getting the headlines in spring training but end up playing meaningful roles when the games start to matter. For the 2026 Red Sox, Masataka Yoshida, Johan Oviedo, and Shane Drohan all fit that mold. Whether it’s a veteran looking to silence doubters, a comeback story waiting to unfold, or a young arm on the cusp, these are the names to circle as potential difference-makers in a season that could define the next chapter for Boston.