Big Papi Sees Himself in Red Sox Prospect Justin Gonzales
When David Ortiz, affectionately known as ‘Big Papi,’ walks into Red Sox camp, his presence is undeniable. Even in retirement, the Hall of Fame slugger remains a towering figure, sought after for advice by current players. Recently, Ortiz found himself looking up at a 19-year-old who managed to make even him look small.
Meet Justin Gonzales, a mammoth 6-foot-6, 277-pound Red Sox minor leaguer who has quickly become one of the club’s most exciting prospects this spring. Currently ranked as the organization’s No. 6 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Gonzales has already showcased incredible power, posting shocking exit velocities that rival some of the hardest-hit balls in the game.
A Star in the Making?
Ortiz has certainly taken notice, believing Gonzales possesses the potential to become a superstar. “Oh my god, he’s a big kid man,” Ortiz told the Herald in Fort Myers. “I hope he stays healthy and continues working extremely hard, I mean, he’s got so many tools to begin to be a superstar.”
Signed for $250,000 out of the Dominican Republic as an international free agent, Gonzales immediately impressed, earning the club’s Latin Program Player of the Year award. In 2025, he batted .281 with four home runs, 23 doubles, 12 stolen bases, and a .753 OPS in 93 games, primarily at Low-A Salem. He also showcased his power at the 2025 Futures at Fenway South, hitting a home run over the Green Monster.
Impressing in Spring Training
Gonzales has been turning heads during spring training, particularly with his raw power. On March 2nd, he hit a single measured at 117.3 mph off the bat – the second-hardest hit ball in MLB spring training up to that point. According to MLB.com’s Ian Browne, that exit velocity would have ranked 31st in the majors during the 2025 season, comparable to stars like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge.
“Very surprised,” Gonzales admitted, with assistance from Red Sox player development manager Justin Frometa. “Obviously (I’m going to) keep working hard and hopefully God willing I know there’s more in the tank because I’m trying to get to 120-plus.”
Learning from a Legend
Gonzales values the opportunity to learn from the big league players and observe their routines. Red Sox manager Alex Cora is also impressed, stating, “The more we see him the better it’s going to be for him. Good kid too, he enjoys playing the game, so we’ll see him around.”
Ortiz has taken Gonzales under his wing, offering guidance on maximizing his potential. “He’s like a father to me,” Gonzales said. “Talking to David, he’s a very humble legend… he reminds me, big guys like me and him, we don’t need to try to hit the ball hard, that happens naturally, we just need to find the barrel and hit the ball in the air.”
Ortiz sees a lot of his younger self in Gonzales. “I’ll tell you what, I was a kid just like that,” Ortiz said. “When I was that age I don’t see myself being what I am today… You worked at it, you were disciplined, and it’ll take you there.”
While Gonzales still has work to do, particularly in reducing his ground ball percentage, his potential is undeniable. He’s focused on refining his skills and dreams of making a significant impact at Fenway Park. “I’m always thinking about how exciting that will be,” Gonzales said. “My goal is to get there and hit a lot of home runs when I’m there.”
Copyright 2026 Boston Herald. All rights reserved.
