When the Adley Rutschman trade went through at the Aug. 3 deadline, the Baltimore Orioles landed a significant haul that included a player to be named later or cash considerations. The final piece of that deal has now been revealed.
On Tuesday night, Andrew Parker of SoxProspects.com reported that the Boston Red Sox were sending minor league outfielder Harold Rivas to Baltimore as the PTBNL. MLB Pipeline ranked Rivas as Boston’s No. 17 prospect when the initial trade return was announced and No. 13 after Anthony Eyanson, Kyson Witherspoon and Enddy Azocar joined the Orioles.
Rivas, 18, signed out of Venezuela as an international free agent in January 2025. The righty-hitting outfielder earned a $950,000 bonus, which was the second-highest given to a player in Boston’s IFA class.
As an amateur in Venezuela, Rivas drew comparisons to four-time All-Star George Springer, who came up as a rangy center fielder who could track down baseballs hit into the gap. He flashed five-tool potential during his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League last year, hitting .258/.393/.384 with 12 extra-base hits and 18 stolen bases in 46 games.
In 46 Florida Complex League games this season, Rivas hit .241/.343/.429 with 14 extra-base hits, 19 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. He tallied six doubles, four triples and six home runs for FCL Boston, showcasing his 50-grade power and 60-grade speed. His 60-grade arm is also unusually strong for a center fielder, as noted in his MLB Pipeline scouting report.
The PTBNL is an often-used tactic in baseball trades that allows clubs to get deals done before officially finalizing them. PTBNLs are often chosen from a short list that the negotiating teams agree on before the trade is finalized. In such cases, an agreed-upon deadline — by which the acquiring club must select the PTBNL or cash considerations — will often be set.
It is worth noting that this specific deal was finalized one day after Rutschman’s debut with the Red Sox. The three-time All-Star catcher was on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to July 19, with left wrist inflammation at the time of the trade. He completed a two-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester before being activated Tuesday.
Rutschman, 28, went 1-for-3 with two walks and a strikeout in his first game with the Red Sox. He is batting .252/.336/.432 with eight home runs and 47 RBIs over 289 plate appearances this season and has another full year of club control remaining after the 2026 campaign ends.
In addition to landing Rivas, Baltimore acquired veteran catcher Carlos Narváez and three of Boston’s top five prospects in return for Rutschman. Eyanson is now the Orioles’ No. 1 prospect, while Witherspoon and Azocar rank seventh and eighth in their system. The other player Baltimore sent in return — Jake Rogers — was designated for assignment by the Red Sox upon Rutschman’s activation.
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