Red Sox's Most Viral Prospect Knows How He Can Get Himself to MLB

A few key adjustments and this kid could be a superstar...

Jun 29, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; A closeup view of the Green Monster before a game at Fenway Park between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Spring training is one of the best times of year for prospects to gain visibility, and that's exactly what Boston Red Sox farmhand Justin Gonzales has done this year.

Once measured at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, the 19-year-old Gonzales reported to camp at a self-reported 6-foot-6, 277 pounds. That, plus comparing himself to three-time Most Valuable Player Aaron Judge of the rival New York Yankees, was bound to grab Red Sox Nation's attention.

The last official measurement for Justin Gonzales had him at 6’4, 210. He’s now at 6’6, 277, despite only being 19, per @alexspeier.

“I make a ton of contact, hit the ball hard, have a good arm, I can play defense. The goal is to be like Aaron Judge.” pic.twitter.com/04NlugUBYX

— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) February 22, 2026

Gonzalez went viral again in Red Sox circles when he lashed a 117.3-mph single in a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday. He's built quite a bit of notoriety for himself considering he's yet to appear in a game above High-A, but he knows he's also got a long way to go.

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Justin Gonzales talks defense ahead of crucial development year

May 18, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; A Boston Red Sox hat and glove rests on the railing by the dugout prior to a game against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Gonzales wasn't just proud of the scorching single he hit, which was the second-hardest batted ball Statcast has tracked all spring. He also made a ridiculous 98.1 mph throw to third base from right field right on the money to third base, on which the Blue Jays baserunner wisely held up.

Gonzales knows if he wants to be an impact major leaguer, he'll need to show enough improvement from year to year to stick in the corner outfield, as players with his body type are always in danger of being pigeonholed as first basemen.

“That's something I've been working on in the offseason back home and also here at Spring Training, trying to be more accurate with my throws from the outfield,” said Gonzales on Monday via translator, per Ian Browne of MLB.com. “And that's a result of the hard work that we put in day in (and) day out and in the field.”

Aside from constantly working on that defensive toolkit, Gonzales will need to hit the ball in the air more consistently moving forward, something prospects his age are often working on. Last season, he only hit four home runs and slugged .390 in 93 games, despite having all the raw power and bat speed one could dream of.

Red Sox fans love feeling like they're in on the secret, but Gonzales won't be one for long if he carries over some of his loud tools into his age-19 season as a fast-rising prospect.