Red Sox Release Promising Prospect After Just 2 Years

The team parted ways with 19-year-old Dominican outfielder Edwin Brito, who had a $450,000 signing bonus just two years ago.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:56pm

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The Boston Red Sox have released 19-year-old Dominican outfielder Edwin Brito, just two years after signing him to a $450,000 international free agent contract. Brito had an impressive debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2024 but struggled in his first stateside experience in 2025, leading the Red Sox to cut ties with the young prospect.

Why it matters

The Red Sox's decision to release Brito so quickly after signing him as a top international prospect raises questions about the team's player development strategies and willingness to be patient with young talent, especially those transitioning to play in the United States for the first time.

The details

Brito, who was one of the Red Sox's top international signings in 2024 with a $450,000 bonus, had a strong debut in the Dominican Summer League that year, posting an .811 OPS with 8 home runs in 51 games. However, he struggled mightily in his first stateside experience in 2025, managing just 14 hits in 99 at-bats for the Red Sox's rookie-level Florida Complex League team. Despite his young age and early struggles, the Red Sox decided to release Brito after only 83 games in their minor league system.

  • In 2024, the Red Sox signed Brito as an international free agent for a $450,000 bonus.
  • In 2024, Brito had an impressive debut in the Dominican Summer League, posting an .811 OPS with 8 home runs in 51 games.
  • In 2025, Brito struggled in his first stateside experience, managing just 14 hits in 99 at-bats for the Red Sox's rookie-level Florida Complex League team.
  • On March 21, 2026, the Red Sox released Brito after only 83 games in their minor league system.

The players

Edwin Brito

A 19-year-old Dominican outfielder who was one of the Red Sox's top international signings in 2024 with a $450,000 bonus, but was released by the team after just two years in their minor league system.

Vladimir Asencio

Another right-handed Dominican outfielder in the Red Sox's 2024 international free agent class who received a $1 million bonus, but has yet to be brought to the United States, instead playing in the Dominican Summer League for the past two seasons.

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The takeaway

The Red Sox's quick decision to release Brito, a highly touted international prospect, after just two years in their system raises concerns about the team's player development strategies and willingness to be patient with young talent, especially those transitioning to play in the United States for the first time.