The Boston Red Sox suffered what was described as “real disappointment” last weekend when they learned that third baseman Alex Bregman, who chose to become a free agent after last season, would not be back in Boston.
Instead, Bregman declined a reported five-year, $165 million contract offer from the Red Sox to take a five-year, $175 million offer from the Cubs.
But the Red Sox and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow managed to overcome their disappointment quickly and almost immediately began taking steps to upgrade the Boston infield both at the big league and developmental levels.
In the latter category, on Thursday the Red Sox, according to their official transactions ledger, finalized a contract with the 28th-ranked international prospect in the 2026 class, as rated by MLB Pipeline, in a deal that will pay the 17-year-old shortstop a $1.2 million bonus.
New Red Sox Signing Called ‘Uber Athletic’
The shortstop is Dawvris Brito, who hails from the capital city of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo. The amount of Brito’s signing bonus was reported by SoxProspects.com and was the second-largest bonus handed down by the Red Sox to any player in the crop of 18 international amateur free agents inked by the organization on Thursday.
The largest, $1.4 million, went to Dominican outfield prospect Garielvin Silverio.
The bonus paid to Brito, almost 25 percent of Boston’s $5.94 million pool of international bonus cash, was clearly seen as worth the expense by Breslow, and the scouting reports on the 6-foot, 180-pounder reflect the Red Sox enthusiasm about the young infielder, with MLB Pipeline describing Brito as “an uber-athletic player who has improved his all-around game significantly in the past few years.”
The Pipeline scouting report went on to say that the Santo Domingo native, “a right-handed hitter, has routinely been ripping off triple-digit exit velocities over the past year and has begun to grow into some strength as his frame fills out.”
Potential 5-Tool Player
Scouts from Baseball America also evaluated Brito, and liked what they saw, noting that the teenage prospect “stands out for his quick-twitch athleticism.”
Baseball America continued, saying that “Brito’s twitch and explosiveness show up in the batter’s box with the way he’s able to generate bat speed. He’s still learning to tone some things down at the plate, leading to a potential power-over-hit offensive profile, but there’s a chance for power and speed at a premium position if everything clicks.”
MLB Pipeline added that Brito “has the build and look of a potential five-tool prospect, upside he will look to capitalize upon as he gets his pro career under way.”
Red Sox Actively Looking to Upgrade Infield
Even as the Red Sox signed Brito and six other shortstops in the group of international prospects acquired on the opening day of the 2026 signing period, the front office has been busy looking to fill the vacancy left by Bregman’s departure to Wrigley Field.
Most rumors have been swirling around Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, whose offensive production last season was close to Bregman’s. In fact, Paredes — who took over the Houston hot corner from Bregman himself — out-homered his predecessor 20 to 18. His OPS of .809 was only 12 points behind Bregman’s .821.
But Paredes is 26 years old and does have two more years of team control. Whether the Red Sox can put together a trade package to get Paredes away from Houston remains an open question, but one likely to be resolved in the next week.
Red Sox Land $1.2 Million ‘Potential 5-Tool’ Infielder Amid Isaac Paredes Talk