Red Sox’s ‘Lightning’ Prospect Delivers Good News in Injury Comeback
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Luis Perales #93 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait during photo day at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 18, 2025 in Fort Myers, Florida.
As the Red Sox scrambled to find a pathway into the playoffs in what was a trying month of September thanks to a raft of injuries to the team’s starting pitching rotation, one possibility that cropped up was the addition of prospect Luis Perales to the mix. Rookies Payton Tolle and Connelly Early had already had eye-opening late-season debuts with the big-league team, and the notion was that perhaps Perales could join them.
Of all the Red Sox’ pitching prospects, Perales probably remains the most enticing. He struck out 115 batters in 89.2 innings in Single A in 2023, then was on his way to showing more refinement as a pitcher in 2024 (nine starts, 33.2 innings, 56 strikeouts) at Single A and Double A when he injured his elbow and needed Tommy John surgery.
He was back on the mound this year. And team chief baseball honcho Craig Breslow even pointed to the possibility of Perales earning a late-year call-up.
As he said: “We’ll balance his recovery from Tommy John with the possibility that he can help us. He’s a really, really exciting young arm and before he got hurt, I think we saw a little bit of that upside with a fastball that’s (hitting) triple-digits and a dominant cutter and split.”
Luis Perales Hits 101 MPH in Fall League
Ultimately, Perales did not make the jump, but the good news for the Red Sox is this: He is in the fall league and continuing to show why he might be the team’s top pitching prospect, better even than Tolle and Early.
Perales threw 1.1 innings in the Arizona Fall League this week, and while the three walks and a hit are a concern, the big number was 101. That’s the speed his fastball hit, according to MLB.com. Perales was consistently around 99 mph, but topped triple digits up to 101.
“It just felt good being out there competing and just kind of building off of that,” Perales said, via an interpreter. “I felt good, felt strong. The cutter is one of my better secondaries, so just seeing it perform today felt good. It also was just kind of a testament to the hard work I put in during the rehab and on to right now.”
Red Sox See a Front-End Starter
MLB Pipeline ranks Perales as the No. 9 prospect in the Red Sox farm system, and as the team has tried to build up its pitching depth in the minors, he’s been surpassed by other arms. Tolle is the No. 2 overall prospect, and Early is No. 6. June 2025 first-round pick Kyson Witherspoon is No. 4 on the list and No. 5 is Brandon Clarke, the 6-foot-4 22-year old who was the team’s fifth-round pick in 2024.
At 6-foot-1, 160, it’s fair to question whether Perales can physically hold up to be a top-end starter. But the Red Sox think he can.
Writes Pipeline in its scouting report: “Perales makes up for a lack of physicality with lightning-quick arm speed that generates four-seam fastballs that sit at 95-98 mph and touch 99 with a flat approach angle and huge carry up in the strike zone. …
“While Perales is athletic and gets down the mound well to create extension, he’s also small for a starter and throws with some effort. … The Red Sox still are convinced that he can become a frontline starter, though he’ll miss the 2025 season and other clubs think it’s more likely he’ll become a closer.”
Jameson Williams Gets Support From Kelvin Sheppard Amid Production Controversy
The Detroit Lions are on a four-game winning streak heading into this weekend's game against the Kansas City Chiefs with Jameson Williams a hot topic.
Williams has not recorded a 100-plus yard game since the Lions played Ben Johnson's Bears in Motown during Week 2 and some fans have questioned his demeanor on social media according to reporter Kory Woods.
While most fans continue to support Williams, the former Alabama star's thoughts on the issue were revealed in an interview attributed to Woods.
Woods also shared an update from Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, who revealed his thoughts on Williams' latest dry spell.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) tries to catch a pass intended for him against Cleveland Browns cornerback Myles Harden (26) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Sheppard's Take on Williams' Perceived Struggles
Williams has continued to chip in as a receiver while excelling as a blocker in new offensive coordinator John Morton's system with the Lions.
He hasn't compiled as much yardage as expected lately, failing to eclipse more than 100 yards total over his last three games.
Sheppard shared his innermost thoughts.
"I asked #Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard what he's seeing from the way defenses are playing Jameson Williams that the average fan might not understand when it comes to his lack of targets," Woods wrote.
"Sheppard: 'I would hope the average fan appreciates 34 points per game," Woods quoted the Lions coach as saying.
Williams' Impact Felt Beyond the Box Score
Williams' blocking speaks for itself, and he also provides a decoy that opposing teams must account for regardless of whether he catches the ball or not.
Williams is one of the NFL's best deep threats and commands attention on any route from defenders extending back to both safeties.
The Lions' offense is better with Williams on the field, that much is for certain. Whether or not he puts up Pro Bowl numbers may affect his contract status going forward, but it won't necessarily always affect the Lions' winning ways.
