Brainer Bonaci Salem Red Sox Shortstop

       
 
Age: 20
Born: July 9, 2002
Birthplace: Catia La Mar, Venezuela
Height: 5-10
Weight: 140
Bats: Both
Throws: Right
   
Drafted: Not draft eligible
How Acquired: International free agent
(July 2018)
College: -
High School: -
ETA: Late 2025

Photo © Bryan Green  
Brainer Bonaci photos by Kelly O'Connor
Pronunciation: BRY-ner BOE-nah-see
First Pro Contract: July 9, 2018 (BOS)
Signing Scouts: Manny Padron & Eddie Romero
Signing Bonus: $290,000
Rule 5 Draft Eligible: December 2023
MLFA Eligible: November 2025
   
Pro Debut: June 1, 2019 (DSL)
Added to 40-man: -
MLB Debut: -
Service Time (1/23): 0 days
Options Remaining: 3 (0 used)
Contract (2023): MiLB contract
   
Twitter: -
Instagram: @brainerbonaci9

 
 
 
 
 
     
  Scouting Report & Links      
         
  Physical Description: Small frame, but physically mature for his age. Athletic build and strong lower half. Has some remaining projection in his upper body, even after adding 40 pounds since signing.

Hit: Starts open and vertical with his hands high. Utilizes a leg kick timing device. Strong contact skills and feel at the plate for his age. Average bat speed, shows above-average barrel control. Swing is short and direct to the ball. Good feel for the strike zone and will rarely chase. Potential average hit tool at least.

Power: Average raw power. Sneaky power for his size, but swing is mainly geared towards doubles on line drives in the gap right now. Projects for below-average in-game power.

Run: Below-average speed. Not a major part of his game. Plays faster than his speed grade due to athleticism and instincts.

Field: Potential fringe-average defensive profile. Fluid in the field. Hands work. Average range at present and given lack of athleticism, could become an area of concern based on how he physically matures. Primarily played shortstop early in his pro career, but has also seen time elsewhere in the infield and primarily played second base in 2022, mostly in deference to Marcelo Mayer.
  Arm: Plus arm. Plenty for the left side of the infield. Confident in his arm.

Career Notes:
Signed to a mid-range bonus on his 16th birthday in 2018. Has reportedly already drawn trade inquiries early in his career. Participated in the Fall Instructional League in 2019 and 2020, and stood out as a standout prospect for scouts at 2020 Instructs. Participated in the 2021 Fall Performance Program. Participated in 2022 Winter Warm-Up.

Summation:
Potential up-and-down utility player. Ceiling of a solid utility player with contact skills and positional versatility. Not physically imposing, but has a blend of instincts and ability that stands out. Has feel for hit and at least an average defensive profile to go along with a plus arm. Will stick on the left side of the infield for now.

Links
State of the System 2020: Middle Infielders (4.29.2020)
Scout Chatter (12.2.2020)
Scout Chatter (8.26.2021)
 
   
     
    Hitting Stats                                          
  year team lg level org age g ab r h 2b 3b hr rbi tb bb so sb cs avg obp slg ops
2019 DSL Red Sox DSL Rk Bos 17 61 229 34 64 14 2 3 37 91 23 40 18 10 0.279 0.356 0.397 0.754
  2020 Season Cancelled --- --- Bos 18 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
  2021 FCL Red Sox FCL Rk Bos 19 36 139 27 35 13 1 2 17 56 21 37 12 0 0.252 0.358 0.403 0.761
  2021 Salem Red Sox LAE A Bos 19 13 49 5 11 3 1 0 8 16 3 8 0 0 0.224 0.269 0.327 0.596
2022 Salem Red Sox Car A Bos 20 108 397 86 104 19 6 6 50 153 89 89 28 6 0.262 0.397 0.385 0.782
  2022 Leones del Caracas LVBP Wint --- 20 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
2023 TBD --- --- Bos 21     stats                            
   
     
  Advanced Stats & Splits
   
     
  Awards   SoxProspects.com Awards  
  Red Sox Minor League Hitter of the Month (July 2022)
Carolina League Player of the Week (July 25-31, 2022)
  SoxProspects.com Player of the Week (July 25-31, 2022)
SoxProspects.com Player of the Month (July 2022)
 
   

   
     
 
 
 
     
 
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