So it was one game in May. And that’s fair. But if you watched any or all of the Red Sox’ 5-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves last night, you couldn’t help but wonder at some point if you were staring the future squarely in the face.

The Braves, of course, are the current model for baseball success, having won the 2021 World Series. Since that time, they have further fortified (and secured) one of the best young rosters in the game, a group that features the supremely-gifted Ronald Acuna Jr. (who hit a 470-foot home run last night) and third baseman Austin Riley, among others. The Braves entered last night with the best record in the National League and second-best record in baseball, all after throttling the Sox in a lopsided 9-3 victory over the delusional Nick Pivetta on Tuesday.

So what did the Sox do last night? They bounced back with a 5-2 win to gain a split of the two-game series, which isn’t really the story. The bigger news is that the Sox basically did so behind their potential future cornerstones, a term we haven’t been able to use in some time.

OK, so maybe cornerstones, in some cases, is too strong.

But you get the idea.

Brayan Bello

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MAY 10: Brayan Bello #66 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on May 10, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

In six innings, Bello allowed six hits, two runs and just one walk, looking dominant at times. In three starts since being demoted to Triple-A – he was subsequently recalled when right-hander Garret Whitlock went on the injured list – Bello is 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA, 16 strikeouts and five walks in 16 innings. His command and control have been much better. When you get right down to it, the Red Sox currently may not possess a single player who is more important to their future than Bello, whose arsenal is on display in the video below.

His first strikeout here is on a 97-mph fastball to Eddie Rosario. The second is on a wicked changeup to the left-handed Ozzie Albies.

Josh Winckowski

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – APRIL 25: Josh Winckowski #25 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 25, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Along with Jarren Duran, there may be no greater turnaround among Boston’s youth than the man now becoming known as “Wink” – or Winck,” perhaps? – who was acquired along with Franchy Cordero in the controversial Andrew Benintendi trade. Last night, manager Alex Cora once again went to Winckowski in a key spot with the Red Sox holding a 3-2 lead in the seventh inning. Winckowski retired the side with one strikeout and has now pitched 24 relief innings this season (third-most in baseball) while posting a 2-0 record and 1.50 ERA with 19 strikeouts and five walks. He has allowed 17 hits and just one homer.

Winckowski got away with a fat slider here to strike out Travis d’Arnaud, but his performance this year has been a big key to the Red Sox’ overall bullpen success.

Jarren Duran

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MAY 10: Jarren Duran #16 of the Boston Red Sox hits a RBI single in the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on May 10, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Know how prospects get labeled with the tag “can’t-miss”? A year ago, we might have labeled Duran with something different: can’t-play. Seriously. Anyone who saw Duran repeatedly strike out last year and play the outfield as if he were blindfolded would never have foreseen what we are witnessing now. Last night, Duran reached base three times in four at-bats with a double and stolen base, at times looking like one of the fastest and most talented players in the game. Watch this double, which triggered a two-run rally in the ninth inning that extended the Red Sox’ lead from 3-2 to 5-2.

Triston Casas

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MAY 10: Triston Casas #36 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates hitting a two-run homer in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on May 10, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Casas has been celebrated for his patience and plate discipline in his early career, but if you’ve read this space, you know our criticisms: he’s been too patient. The Red Sox certainly didn’t draft the 6-foot-5, 235-pound Casas to draw walks. There is a fine line between being patient and passive, and Casas’ early career has shown way too much of the latter. So what did Casas do last night? Immediately after Duran’s double, he swung at the first pitch – something he has been doing more of lately – and blasted this homer to right center (below) that gave the Red Sox two huge insurance runs.

In six games over the last week, Casas has six hits, four walks, two home runs and six RBI. When swinging at the first pitch this season, he is batting .375 with a 1.357 OPS.

Translation: Light dawns over marble head.