The Boston Red Sox have liked Bobby Dalbec and Triston Casas for a while.
The latter is considered the first baseman of the future, but Dalbec has also received some chances to take over the position.
Neither young player has been able to seize his opportunity and run away with the gig, however.
Dalbed is, according to MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo, receiving another chance this week.
“Bobby Dalbec has been called back up and is joining the Red Sox in New York, source confirms. @JoeyMacHockey on it. Not sure of corresponding move,” Cotillo wrote on Twitter.
Bobby Dalbec has been called back up and is joining the Red Sox in New York, source confirms. @JoeyMacHockey on it. Not sure of corresponding move.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) September 22, 2022
Dalbec is slashing .211/.282/.362 with 11 home runs in 340 plate appearances, good for a 78 wRC+.
That 78 wRC+ means he has been 22 percent worse than the league-average hitter.
The Red Sox Would Love To See Some Progress From Dalbec
So why do the Red Sox like Dalbec so much?
Because he was strong during the whole 2021 second half and was above-average (107 wRC+) last year, with 25 homers.
The 2022 campaign has been marred by issues making consistent contact with the ball: he has struck out in 33.2 percent of his plate appearances this year.
He is getting another chance partly because Casas has failed miserably as an MLB hitter.
Casas has a meager 24 wRC+ in 44 trips to the plate: while the sample size is definitely small, he hasn’t shown anything yet.
Both sluggers have about a week and a half to show why the Red Sox should keep them in their long-term plans, particularly Dalbec.
Casas will be afforded a much longer leash because of his status as a premium prospect, but at some point will need to start producing in the big leagues, too.
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