Red Sox Release 21-Year Old Outfielder in Major Slump

Jul 26, 2026 - 23:20

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The Boston Red Sox once had high hopes for Natanael Yuten.

He will not realize those hopes in a Red Sox uniform, though.

The 21-year old outfielder from the Dominican Republic was released from the Red Sox organization this weekend.

Some Red Sox minor league moves today:

LHP Michael Sansone promoted to Worcester

OF Justin Gonzales reinstated from Suspension List

OF Natanael Yuten has been released

IF/OF Nazzan Zanetello has been activated off IL in Greenville
— Andrew Parker (@ByAndrewParker) July 26, 2026

MORE: Why the Red Sox were willing to trade Connelly Early

The Red Sox signed him back when he was a lanky teenager, listed at the time of his signing at 6-foot-3 and 143 pounds.

That promised the potential to grow into a body that could combine power and speed in the outfield.

He began his career well as a 17-year old in the Dominican Summer League in 2022, batting .307 in 50 games.

The following season, he hit .336 in Rookie-ball, but only .197 on his promotion to Single-A Salem.

The Red Sox kept Yuten at Salem in both 2024 and 2025. He improved his numbers in 2025 to a .270 batting average and .724 OPS.

Boston figured it was time to test him some in 2026, sending him to High-A Greenville, and it didn't go well.

In 30 games, Yuten batted .165, and he struck out 39 times compared to three walks.

The Red Sox decided they had put enough development time into Yuten and not gotten enough out of it, and so they've moved on.