The Red Sox released six minor-leaguers on Sunday, including outfielder Gilberto Jimenez.
Jimenez, 23, was once considered one of the top prospects in Boston’s farm system. The Dominican Republic native originally signed with the Red Sox for just $10,000 as an international free agent coming out of San Cristobal in August 2017.
Despite receiving such a modest signing bonus, Jimenez wasted little time in establishing himself in the lower-minors after making his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League the following June. In fact, the switch-hitter posted an .804 OPS in 67 games for DSL Red Sox 1 and was subsequently named the club’s 2018 Latin Program Position Player of the Year.
Upon making the jump stateside in 2019, Jimenez again showed promise by slashing .359/.393/.470 with 11 doubles, three triples, three home runs, 19 RBIs, 35 runs scored, 14 stolen bases, 13 walks, and 38 strikeouts in 59 games (253 plate appearances) for short-season Lowell. He led the New York-Penn League in batting and was recognized by MiLB.com as an organizational All-Star.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic wiping out the 2020 minor-league season, Jimenez was limited in what he could do developmentally since he was not invited to Boston’s alternate training site camp that summer. He was, however, among the top performers at the Red Sox’ fall instructional league in Fort Myers and — perhaps as a result of that — came into the 2021 campaign ranked by Baseball America as the No. 7 prospect in the organization.
After taking part in his first big-league spring training, Jimenez opened the 2021 season at Low-A Salem. He still hit for average (.306) in 94 games with the Sox’ Carolina League affiliate, but did so without producing much power (three home runs in 408 plate appearances). Though he was Rule 5-eligible for the first time that winter, Jimenez was left unprotected by Boston and was then passed over by the 29 other clubs.
Jimenez moved up to High-A Greenville in 2022 but failed to advance past there in each of the last two seasons. He mustered a .672 OPS in 99 games (407 plate appearances) for the Drive two years ago and was limited to just 48 total games (197 plate appearances) with three different affiliates in 2023 due to injury issues.
Altogether, Jimenez batted .300/.342/.409 with 66 doubles, 21 triples, 16 home runs, 165 RBIs, 215 runs scored, 72 stolen bases, 77 walks, and 320 strikeouts over 367 minor-league games (1,549 plate appearances) as a member of the Red Sox organization. The 5-foot-11, 212-pounder put up those numbers while seeing playing time at all three outfield spots, though the majority of those reps came in center.
Given the fact that he does not turn 24 until July, it will be interesting to see if Jimenez can latch on with another club before long. He may not have any experience past A-ball, but — for a team in need of mid-minors outfield depth — he could still be worth taking a flyer on.
In addition to Jimenez, the Red Sox also released right-handers Maceo Campbell and Garrett Ramsey, first baseman C.J. Cron, and infielders Lyonell James and Joe Dunand on Sunday.
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