It’s not usually a 31-year-old will get his first actual probability at constant enjoying time and performs at an All-Star stage, however that’s precisely what occurred with Rob Refsnyder this yr.
The Red Sox formally ended Refsnyder’s season on Monday afternoon, asserting that he’d been positioned on the injured record with again spasms, although it was extra procedural than something given there have been solely three video games remaining.
Refsnyder will end his first season with the Red Sox with probably the most spectacular stat line of his profession: 177 plate appearances, 11 doubles, six homers, 21 RBIs, a .307 common, .384 on-base proportion and .881 OPS.
Of all MLB gamers with at the least 175 plate appearances this yr, Refsnyder’s .881 OPS ranks 14th, simply between Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts.
It’s a small pattern measurement after all, however it’s sufficient for the Red Sox to think about that Refsnyder could possibly be a critical possibility as a fourth outfielder subsequent season.
Because he’s bounced round from staff to staff all through his seven-year large league profession, he’s but to build up sufficient service time to be eligible without cost company. Which means the Red Sox can deliver him again on a modest wage by way of arbitration.
The Sox are already skinny on outfielders going into subsequent yr. Alex Verdugo and Kiké Hernandez will return, although Hernandez could possibly be pressed into infield obligation relying what occurs with Xander Bogaerts, and the Sox do want to think about whether or not or not Verdugo is a part of their long-term future or if he’s simply a median nook outfielder who struggles with consistency.
Outfielder Tommy Pham has a reported $12-million possibility that appears a bit stiff and can probably be declined.
Refsnyder might are available on the cheaper facet and supply a dependable bat vs. left-handed pitching, if no more.
“Great season,” supervisor Alex Cora mentioned at Fenway Park on Monday. “Great job for us. He was really good. Offensively, the versatility, the quality of the at-bats were awesome.”
Coming into this yr, Refsnyder had principally been an oft-injured backup outfielder with a profession .224 common and .618 OPS. His breakout this yr didn’t shock the Red Sox, although.
“He’s a guy that we definitely rely on and we recognized it in spring training,” Cora mentioned. “We had been speaking with the knowledge division and the power to impression the baseball was there within the projections. Defensively, stable. Just a matter of staying wholesome, proper? That’s crucial factor for him.
“We’ll set up a good program for him in the offseason. This is a guy we really like. He can contribute at this level.”
Hosmer returns, however first base is Casas’ job
The finish of Refsnyder’s season additionally marked the return of Eric Hosmer, who changed him on the energetic roster.
Hosmer came to visit in a commerce with the Padres in early August and hit simply .225 with a .611 OPS in 12 video games for the Sox earlier than he went down with a again harm. The 32-year-old is having the whole lot of his wage paid for by San Diego over the subsequent three years and represents an intriguing possibility for the Sox as a backup first baseman or designated hitter, although his offensive manufacturing wants to enhance drastically.
Since leaving the Royals after the 2017 season, he’s hit simply .264 with a .734 OPS.
Cora mentioned Hosmer will discover some enjoying time within the ultimate few days.
“Good to have Eric here, we’ll see how we do it,” Cora mentioned. “Maybe we’ll start him tomorrow. The fact that he’s available, that means a lot.”
It’s clear that rookie Triston Casas has what it takes to be an enormous league contributor and there’s little question Casas is the clear first baseman for this staff going ahead.
“He’s done well,” Cora mentioned. “He controls the strike zone. That’s crucial factor. He put some good swings in Toronto, they bought him out a couple of instances however the high quality of the at-bats had been actually good. Little by little, you see tendencies.
“I noticed a few things, it started in Cincinnati, but he’s been able to maneuver his at-bat and put himself in a good situation to do damage. Or to get on base. So far, so good.”
Cora mentioned he’s been most enthusiastic about the best way Casas has performed protection at first base. He seen Casas get upset with himself for not choosing a throw from shortstop over the weekend and his disappointment in himself was “great,” Cora mentioned.
“He takes pride in everything on the field,” the skipper mentioned. “The offense, defense, baserunning. That’s a good sign for such a young player.”
Odds and ends
Casas can be certainly one of many Red Sox gamers who will proceed enjoying baseball into the winter. He’ll go well with up for Licey within the Dominican League, whereas Darwinzon Hernandez will play within the Venezuelan League. Ceddanne Rafaela and Christian Koss will play for Caguas within the Puerto Rican League…
The left-handed Hernandez was recalled earlier than Monday’s recreation and can pitch within the ultimate few video games, Cora mentioned. He has electrical stuff however has struggled with command all through his profession…
Bogaerts is bound to get quite a lot of love from Red Sox followers in what could possibly be his ultimate few video games with the Sox earlier than he hits free company, although he was not within the lineup on Monday as a result of again tightness.
Source: www.bostonherald.com