The wait for real power is over. Justin Gonzales just sent a loud message to the rest of the organization. He didn’t just play well on Sunday; he dominated. That performance was enough to earn him a promotion to Double-A Portland.
Power display earns promotion
According to MLB.com Red Sox (official), Gonzales finished his time in High-A with a massive bang. During a 10-5 win for Greenville over Hub part of the day, the No. 2 Red Sox prospect hit his first career two-homer game. He launched a solo shot in the sixth inning to give Greenville a 7-4 lead. This particular hit was a 1-0 pitch that he drove to right field. He followed that up in the seventh with a two-run shot. The broadcast reported this second blast had an exit velocity of 113 mph off the bat.
The 19-year-old was not just swinging for the fences. He finished the day 3-for-4. He also reached base by being hit by a pitch in the third inning. This surge comes after a period where he struggled through June. Since July 1, he has posted a .971 OPS. His stats for 89 High-A games in 2026 show a .271/.391/.463 slash line with 17 home runs and 58 RBIs.
A much needed spark
I love seeing this kind of momentum. You can’t ignore a kid hitting balls 113 mph. It doesn’t matter if he’s playing first base or outfield. When that kind of raw strength shows up, the organization has to react. He is the MLB Pipeline’s No. 79 prospect overall for a reason. He stopped the slump and started a tear that makes the jump to Portland feel earned.
The jump to Double-A is always a big test for any young player.
