The Pirates trade Joe Vogatsky to the Red Sox

The Blue Jays selected Vogatsky from James Madison University in the 14th round of the 2023 draft after he posted a 3.34 ERA in 29.2 innings pitched, with a 27.1 K% and an 11.3 BB%, but he elected to not sign and returned to university.

Vogatsky was one of three players who didn’t sign with the Jays in the 2023 draft, the other two were Sam Kulasingam (drafted by the Kansas City Royals) and Chase Brunson, who could end up being picked in the first round of the 2026 draft.

Uponing to returning to JMU, Vogatsky had a 3.86 ERA in 49 innings pitched, with a 22 K% and a 10.5 BB%, prompting the Pirates to select him in the 19th round of the 2024 draft. For his collegiate career, Vogatsky had a 5.24 ERA in 120.1 innings pitched, along with a 22.6 K% and a 10.6 BB%.

Vogatsky sits 94-96 mph with the heater and has a slider, cutter, and changeup in his arsenal. He has yet to make his professional debut.

As for what the Red Sox gave up, Enmanuel Valdez is a 25-year-old who didn’t have a great season in 2024. The utility player slashed .214/.270/.363 with six home runs in 223 plate appearances for a -0.6 fWAR and a 72 wRC+. The season prior, he slashed .266/.311/.453 with six home runs in 149 plate appearances for a 102 wRC+ and a 0.4 fWAR.

He was designated for assignment last week after a trade with the New York Yankees saw them acquire Carlos Narvaez. These aren’t the only two trades the Red Sox have made this off-season. A much larger trade saw them acquire Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox for Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery, and a couple of other prospects.