Just a few months again Pablo Reyes couldn’t even crack the lowly Oakland Athletics’ roster.
Now he’s the final man standing within the Red Sox center infield.
Reyes survived yet one more roster reduce on Tuesday as Yu Chang was designated for task to clear area for returning shortstop Trevor Story. He beforehand earned the nod over Kiké Hernández and Christian Arroyo, the membership’s opening day starters at shortstop and second base, and now it seems Reyes will likely be Boston’s major reserve infielder for the remainder of the season.
It’s a exceptional flip for the profession journeyman, who has emerged as an unlikely difference-maker since his arrival in mid-May.
“Controls the strike zone, hits the ball hard, good baserunner, good defender, he can hit lefties,” Red Sox supervisor Alex Cora mentioned. “Overall a good pickup by the front office. They recognized him in a time that we were looking for a middle infielder that can help and since he got here the at bats have been good, the approach we really like, he’s very patient, he swings at the right ones and that’s always good.”
Reyes nonetheless being right here at this level would have appeared unlikely not way back, however the 29-year-old has earned his place. Though his largest contributions have come on protection, Reyes has additionally been surprisingly productive on the plate. Entering Tuesday he was batting .312 with a .773 OPS in 33 video games, and Monday he delivered maybe the largest hit of the season, crushing a liner off the left discipline foul pole for a walk-off grand slam.
“From the beginning, coming here when I came here, everyone here treated me like I was part of the family from day one,” Reyes mentioned through translator Daveson Perez. “I never felt uncomfortable being in this clubhouse and (Monday) night was incredible.”
Though Cora mentioned his walk-off had no bearing on Tuesday’s roster resolution, it was laborious to think about Reyes getting the boot after that. Putting the grand slam apart, Reyes nonetheless went 3 for 4 on Monday with three runs scored, and his fellow infielders described him as an lively clubhouse presence who’s able to excelling in any function.
“His confidence is honestly contagious,” mentioned first baseman Triston Casas. “Just the way he goes about his at bats you’d think he’s 6-5, 270.”
Even with Story again within the image Reyes is anticipated to see loads of enjoying time. He will begin at shortstop at any time when Story isn’t within the lineup and he’ll see common time at second base, notably when a lefty is on the mound. The membership can be comfy enjoying him within the outfield, however it doesn’t matter what’s requested of him Reyes mentioned he’ll do something to assist the Red Sox win.
“I’m just a sponge listening to everything the staff has to say, any tips they have that will make me better after a game,” Reyes mentioned. “If I didn’t play well and coach has some advice or things I could do better, I go home right after the game, I write it down so I don’t forget, and I come the next day and work on those things.”
As for if he feels any sense of satisfaction for what he’s already achieved, Reyes mentioned nothing has modified for him.
“My mentality has always been the same, whether I’m playing or not playing, I’m focused on the moment,” Reyes mentioned. “I come in here and I work, I work hard every day, I don’t take anything for granted and that’s never going to change.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com