Brandon Neely, the Red Sox's third-round pick in 2024, has finally started his pro career after missing all of 2025 due to forearm stiffness. Neely was drafted No. 86 overall by the team and helped pitch the Gators to the 2024 College World Series. Despite being drafted one year early, Neely spent the entire season in Fort Myers rehabbing and learning from big league right-hander Kutter Crawford who helped him cope with the injury. He is now being developed as a starter and could potentially move up the system quickly. Despite not being the most experienced arm in the system yet, there is speculation that Neely could be considered for either High-A Greenville or possibly Double-A Portland.