Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

Though he signed for just $45,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2023, Valera quickly has developed into one of the most coveted arms in Boston's system. The Red Sox have parted with five teenage right-handers in deals during the last two years but refused to give up Valera. He pitched in High-A last season at age 19, posting a 5.45 ERA but also striking out 28 percent of the batters he faced.

Valera throws harder than most players his age, operating at 96-98 mph and touching 100 with natural cutting action, and he improved his ability to create carry at the top of the zone in 2025. His tight slider also features impressive power, sitting at 87-89 mph and reaching 93 with two-plane depth at its best. His low-90s changeup is too firm and resembles a two-seam fastball more than a true cambio, but it does get swings and misses.

Using a simple side-step delivery with a three-quarters arm slot, Valera repeats his delivery and will alter his tempo to throw hitters off balance. He continues to improve his control and command as he gains experience, cutting his walk rate to 6 percent last year. He also stands out with his mound presence and work ethic, adding to his chances of pitching in the front half of a rotation. He came down with a sore elbow last May and sat out three months mostly as a precaution, but he's fully healthy for 2026.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45

Signed for just $45,000 out of the Dominican Republic, Valera has developed into the best pitching prospect from a strong Red Sox 2023 international class highlighted by shortstops Franklin Arias and Yoeilin Cespedes. He dominated in his U.S. debut in 2024, compiling a 1.99 ERA, .125 opponent average and 68 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings between Rookie ball and Single-A. Boston surrendered three teenage right-handers (Gilberto Batista, Ovis Portes, Yeferson Vargas) at the Trade Deadline last summer but wouldn't part with Valera.

At age 18 last year, Valera operated with a 93-96 mph fastball that peaked at 99, usually working with downhill plane but occasionally showing some interesting carry. He gets better action on his sweeping 82-85 mph slider and can turn it into a tighter cutter that climbs into the upper 80s. He's in the early stages of developing feel for his fading upper-80s changeup, struggling to throw it for strikes or create enough separation from his heater.

Working from a simple side-step delivery and a three-quarters arm slot, Valera likes to vary his tempo to throw off hitters' timing. There's still some projection remaining in his 6-foot-3 frame, so he may add more power, and he could blossom into a mid-rotation starter if he can polish his changeup, control and command. The Red Sox love his mound presence, work ethic and ability to translating instruction into improvements. 

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Cutter: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

After signing for $45,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2023, Valera posted a 5.93 ERA in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League in his pro debut. He was much more impressive after coming to the United States in 2024, logging a 1.99 ERA, .125 average-against and 68 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings between Rookie ball and Single-A. The Red Sox parted with three teenage right-handers (Gilberto Batista, Ovis Portes, Yeferson Vargas) at the Trade Deadline but held onto Valera.

At age 18, Valera worked at 93-96 mph and topped out at 99 with good carry on his four-seam fastball, which could add more velocity as he continues to strengthen his 6-foot-3 frame. He gets nice shape on his 82-85 mph slider, which features both horizontal and vertical action, and he also has a tighter cutter in the upper 80s. His upper-80s changeup lags well behind his other offerings, as it's too firm and lacks life.

Valera employs a simple side-step delivery and high three-quarters arm slot, and he'll vary his tempo to disturb hitters' timing. He'll need to polish his strike-throwing and refine his changeup, but the upside of a mid-rotation starter is there. Club officials praise his work ethic and his aptitude for taking instruction and turning it into results.

Awards

FCL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	04/17/2026	Greenville Drive placed RHP Juan Valera on the 7-day injured list.
	03/05/2026	RHP Juan Valera assigned to Boston Red Sox Prospects.
	08/26/2025	Greenville Drive activated RHP Juan Valera from the 60-day injured list.
	07/15/2025	Greenville Drive transferred RHP Juan Valera from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
	05/27/2025	Greenville Drive placed RHP Juan Valera on the 7-day injured list.
	04/02/2025	RHP Juan Valera assigned to Greenville Drive from Salem Red Sox.
	03/06/2025	activated RHP Juan Valera.
	07/23/2024	RHP Juan Valera assigned to Salem Red Sox from FCL Red Sox.
	07/23/2024	RHP Juan Valera assigned to Salem Red Sox from FCL Red Sox.
	05/03/2024	RHP Juan Valera assigned to FCL Red Sox from DSL Red Sox Blue.
	05/03/2024	RHP Juan Valera assigned to FCL Red Sox from DSL Red Sox Blue.
	06/04/2023	RHP Juan Valera roster status changed by Boston Red Sox.
	04/12/2023	RHP Juan Valera assigned to DSL Red Sox Blue.
	04/12/2023	Boston Red Sox signed free agent RHP Juan Valera to a minor league contract.