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Red Sox Star Abreu: Under the Radar No More?
18 Mar
Summary
- Abreu is a two-time Gold Glove winner with a .791 career OPS.
- He ranks ninth among right fielders in recent position rankings.
- His manager has limited his starts against left-handed pitching.
Boston Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu has established himself with two Gold Gloves and a .791 career OPS in his first two seasons. Despite this clear prowess, he was surprisingly ranked ninth among right fielders in a recent position assessment.
The assessment acknowledged his two consecutive AL Gold Glove Awards and 20 defensive runs saved since the start of the 2024 season, which leads the position. However, it also noted that Abreu has been sheltered against left-handed pitching, with limited plate appearances against southpaws in 2025.
This limited exposure to left-handed pitching is seen as the primary argument against Abreu being considered among the sport's elite at his position. While he has shown flashes of success against lefties, his overall career splits do not yet guarantee consistent performance.
Despite these limitations, Abreu's performance has outshone players ranked directly above him, such as Seiya Suzuki, Sal Frelick, and Brandon Nimmo, based on last season's fWAR. Fans and observers believe Abreu has the potential to reach new heights, challenging top-tier players like Corbin Carroll and Kyle Tucker.
