Red Sox Suddenly Have A Catching Depth Problem This Winter

The Boston Red Sox face a critical decision on extending their new star catcher as they part ways with a struggling prospect, revealing a pressing need to fortify their catching depth.

The Boston Red Sox trimmed a little more catching depth earlier in the week, parting with 24-year-old Juan Montero after six years in the organization.

Montero’s release, which is reflected on his official MiLB.com profile, came on Oct. 15.

He had spent all of 2026 with Triple-A Worcester, though he only appeared in five games. Much of his season was spent moving on and off the Development List, and when he did get into action, he hit .200/.333/.200 with a run scored.

The move leaves Boston even thinner behind the plate in the upper minors. Right now, Adley Rutschman and Connor Wong are the only catchers on the Red Sox’s 40-man roster, and both of the organization’s most highly regarded catching prospects are still a ways off. Gerardo Rodriguez, Boston’s No. 24 overall prospect, has not played above High-A, and Luke Heyman, the club’s No. 25 prospect, is also still below Triple-A.

Montero’s path through the system was a long one. He made his pro debut with Boston in 2021 and reached Triple-A after six years in the organization, even if the production never quite matched the climb. Across 138 career games, he hit .209/.337/.302 with two home runs and 48 RBIs.

For now, the Red Sox are left with a clear message in the catching room: they need more depth, not less. Moving on from Montero takes away one of the few upper-level options they had, and it also underscores why an extension for Rutschman should be a winter priority. He is a top-five catcher in the game, and the organization does not have much proven support waiting behind him.

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