FORT MYERS, Fla. — It’s no secret that the Cape Cod Baseball League attracts the top collegiate players from around the country. Year after year, the best players flock to Cape Cod to display their talent on a national level. This comes with the attention of scouts and various MLB organizations, but no one has a better pulse on the Cape League than the Boston Red Sox.

Being just up Route 3, the Red Sox have a history of drafting players who impressed on Cape Cod, or what’s otherwise their backyard. The Red Sox host the Cape League’s annual “Fenway Day,” a showcase where players around the league take batting practice, infield/outfield drills, and interact with scouts from different teams at America’s Most Beloved Ballpark.

The 2025 draft was no different from years past, with ten of the Red Sox draftees having played in the Cape League. Three of their first four picks were alumni, with them selecting Kyson Witherspoon (Chatham ‘24) at No. 15 overall, Henry Godbout (Harwich ‘24) at No. 75, and Anthony Eyanson (Cotuit ‘24) at No. 87.

No strangers to the spotlight, each of the draftees comes from schools with reputable baseball programs and strong connections to the Cape League. For infielder Henry Godbout, the opportunity to add his name to a long list of Virginia Cavaliers who head north to play for the Harwich Mariners was one he couldn’t pass up.

“There’s a pretty extensive pipeline from UVA to Harwich,” Godbout said. “They pretty much send guys there every year. It was kind of their decision where I went, but I was super happy with it. I couldn’t say enough good things about Coach Stevie and the whole Harwich staff. I really loved playing there.”

Godbout referred to Coach Stevie, or longtime Mariners manager Steve Englert, who has a history of recruiting from UVA. In just the past few years, some of UVA’s best players like Kyle Teel, Jake Gelof, and Ethan Anderson have played for Harwich.

Growing up the son of a New England sports fan, Godbout has always been a Red Sox fan. “If you have a dad that’s from that area, it’s pretty hard not to be a Red Sox fan,” he joked. “I’m all Boston—Celtics, Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins—it was pretty cool for me to go to the Red Sox.”

Now a solidified part of the Red Sox organization, Godbout turns his attention to production on the field. He’s since debuted with the Greenville Drive, the Red Sox High-A affiliate, and is off to a hot start. Although he’s only been signed for just under a month, he describes the team’s desire to “gain bat speed and in turn get more power. That’s something that the Red Sox organization does a really good job of.”

Besides the tangible additions of bat speed and power, Godbout is just looking to get his feet under him and adjust to the pro game.

When adapting to professional ball, there’s no better comparison than the Cape League. “From a talent perspective, playing against the best pitchers with a wood bat helped me going into pro ball.”

One of his final notes was another glowing recommendation of Englert: “I think he’s the perfect summerball coach. He really wants to win, and he’ll push you to work hard and to win baseball games.”

For the second year in a row, the Red Sox drafted heavily on the pitching side. One of their top additions came in Louisiana State right-hander Anthony Eyanson. After two seasons at UC San Diego, Eyanson took his talents to the mound for the Cotuit Kettleers. Although he only threw in a couple of games, it was enough to carry him into a fantastic junior season at LSU, culminating in a national championship. Less than a month later, he heard his name called in the draft and was on his way to Boston.

“You never really know where you’re at. I was just so happy to be picked,” Eyanson admitted. Although he was a consensus top pitcher available in the draft, he says he was “so blessed to even be in that conversation, considering where I was during my freshman and sophomore years.”

What made the difference? Enter the Kettleers’ player development program. “Cotuit did a really good job preparing me for what was going to come with college ball and then pro ball. Obviously it’s really gritty in the Cape League. You’re always facing great players and great teams.”

Everybody has a different reason for going to the Cape League—some for reps, some on school assignments—but for Eyanson, he was “just trying to get [his] name out there.” Being in the portal came with some added pressure.

“That was the main goal for me, but being able to experience all of Cape Cod—the fans, the environment, the historic fields… I mean that’s something I’ll never forget.”

The environment at Lowell Park, the home of the Kettleers and one of the most picturesque parks on the Cape, is ingrained in Eyanson’s memory. “That was my first experience of true fans at a baseball game. Being in the bullpen, being on the mound looking around and seeing all the support? Yeah, that was awesome.”

Eyanson will be getting used to pitching in front of some of baseball’s most passionate fans now that he’s with the Red Sox. While he may not be pitching at Fenway Park in the immediate future, Eyanson is currently focused on “increasing body weight, throwing harder, and tweaking his fastball.” All small parts of his journey to Fenway.

As far as the other draftees are concerned, Eyanson said, “We feel like brothers already. I’m pretty sure that in two more weeks it’s going to feel even more like a family.”

Down in Fort Myers at the Red Sox training complex, Eyanson says, “I’m excited to be where my feet are at as far as development and just enjoy every day. Enjoy the moment because you never know how long you’re going to play this game. I’m excited to begin my journey to Fenway and throw my first pitch there. That’s what I have circled on my calendar.”

Godbout shared a similar sentiment: “Being a part of this organization now, it’s pretty awesome. It’s kind of everything I thought it was going to be. I just feel super thankful that I’m here now.”

Going forward, both of their developments as players will be followed with great anticipation and enthusiasm. They join countless Red Sox prospects to have played in the Cape League and embark on paths to the Major Leagues. One thing remains true for all of them: the stars of tomorrow shine brightest on the Cape.