Red Sox prospect Luis Perales’ fastball reached 100.7 in his second Arizona Fall League start for Salt Lake against Glendale on Tuesday. He pitched two hitless innings but allowed one run on a walk and wild pitch.
He landed 21 of his 31 pitches for strikes (68%) and recorded four strikeouts. He had much better command than in his first start Oct. 7 when he walked three batters and landed just 52% of his pitches for strikes.
Perales’ velocity is certainly back after he missed nearly the entire season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery that he underwent June 27, 2024. He reached triple-digits three times, including a 100.3 mph fastball to get a swinging strikeout to end the first inning.
He also threw three triple-digit fastballs in his other Arizona Fall League start, reaching 101.1 mph.
He returned Sept. 13 and pitched in three games combined between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. He allowed two runs, no hits and three walks while striking out four.
Perales, a member of Boston’s 40-man roster, is likely to make his MLB debut in 2026. He began the 2025 season ranked as Boston’s No. 1 pitching prospect, but Baseball America now has him ranked behind pitchers Payton Tolle, 2025 first-round pick Kyson Witherspoon, Connelly Early and Brandon Clarke. Overall, he is the Red Sox’ No. 8 prospect, according to Baseball America.
