Written By Matt Ferreira
Chaim Bloom and the Boston Red Sox seem to be rumored on every free agent on the market from big names like Trevor Bauer and George Springer to positional needs such as Corey Kluber, Jake Odorizzi, and Kike Hernandez, but here are some players on the Red Sox payroll right now that could surprisingly be impactful this season.
Tanner Houck- Some may remember his name as a late season call up at the end of the 2020 season. Houck was a lone bright spot at the end of the season for pitching for the Red Sox. He started 3 games pitching 17 innings with a 0.53 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. While this is a really small sample size, if Houck can keep these numbers anywhere near what he did in 2020 he could be an all star in 2021. The 24 year old still has a lot of potential that can be shown at the major league level.
Nick Pivetta- The main return in the Brandon Workman trade, many swore that Pivetta could be an all star pitcher with a change of scenery, and in his two starts with the Red Sox in 2020 this could be true. Pivetta had pitched 10 innings and only allowed 2 earned runs. With Pivetta entering his prime with his age 28 season coming up, he could be a solid #3 or #4 pitcher in the rotation behind Sale, ERod, and Eavoldi.
Bobby Dalbec- Another late season call up for the Red Sox in 2020, Dalbec came bursting onto the scene hitting 8 home runs in only 23 games. Dalbec looks like he can be an everyday first baseman for the Boston Red Sox. Dalbec has been a Red Sox top prospect for a while, yet was held in Pawtucket due to the emergence of Rafael Devers. Dalbec, who is originally a third baseman, showed that he can play solid defense at first and allow the Red Sox to keep his huge bat in the lineup.
Andrew Benintendi- If he is not traded by the end of the week, Benintendi could return to 2018 form. His 2020 season came to an end early due to injury and his struggles. Yet this was not unusual across the MLB as stars such as Christian Yelich and Javier Baez also struggled in the shortened COVID season. It feels that he has been in the league forever, yet Benny is only 26 years old and just entering his prime. If he can put on a show in 2017 and 2018 at his age 22 and 23 seasons he should be able to do the same if not more during his 26 and beyond. Despite his last 2 years being down years I still have faith that the last member of “Win, Dance, Repeat” can be solid in 2021.
Hunter Renfroe- Signed to be a fourth outfielder this offseason Renfroe could be a steal for the Red Sox. Before his disappointing 2020 season, Renfroe was in the top 84% every year for barrelled balls, more barrels means the ball will be harder hit and more likely to be an extra base hit. The 2013 first round pick also excels in hitting left-handed pitchers which makes it very likely for Refroe to split time with Benintendi in Left Field if Benintendi is not traded like he is rumored to be. Renfroe also is known to hit home runs hitting 33 in 2019. The short left field wall should help Renfroe with extra base hits in 2021.
Comments
Post a Comment