Boston Red Sox
“‘Nicely, Abreu goes to hit 30 homers this yr.’ Like this can be a given.”
The 2026 Pink Sox boast loads of upside, particularly with youthful gamers like Roman Anthony poised to construct off the promise they showcased final summer season.
However, FanGraphs isn’t all that assured in Boston’s lineup and its capacity to launch pitches into the Inexperienced Monster seats this season.
FanGraphs’ 2026 ZiPs projections for the upcoming season have zero gamers within the Pink Sox lineup anticipated to hit 20 or extra residence runs in 2026 — a critical concern for a Boston membership that was largely pedestrian final yr when it got here to producing energy on the plate.
These projections had Trevor Story, Anthony, and Wilyer Abreu tabbed with 18 residence runs this season, with Willson Contreras, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Jarren Duran all projected at 17 dingers apiece.
Rely Alex Cora amongst those that suppose that his ballclub should not have any challenge with knocking the ball out of the park this season, particularly with regard to at least one outfielder.
In the latest “Baseball Tonight Podcast” episode, ESPN baseball scribe Tim Kurkjian revealed in a dialog with Cora that the Pink Sox supervisor believes Abreu will surpass 30 residence runs this season.
“I talked to Alex this spring for an prolonged time, and we’re simply speaking about his workforce, and he simply volunteers: ‘Nicely, Abreu goes to hit 30 homers this yr.’ Like this can be a given,” Kurkjian. “I imply, you take a look at how a lot better he’s gotten annually.
“He’s been within the large leagues and gained a Gold Glove every of the final two years. [Cora] mentioned,’ Oh, he’ll hit 30 this yr.’ And if you watch him in opposition to Japan, and you then watch him [Tuesday vs. Team USA], who’s going to query that now? And also you’re proper, that’s why the Pink Sox are a really harmful workforce — as a result of they’ve a couple of gamers like Wilyer Abreu.”
Past his worth as an elite defender in proper discipline, Abreu has loads of upside together with his manufacturing on the plate.
After slugging 15 residence runs as a rookie in 2024, Abreu swatted 22 homers and drove in 69 runs in simply 115 video games final season. Had he prevented an prolonged stint on the IL, Abreu may have both come shut or cleared that 30-homer threshold final summer season.
As long as Abreu can keep away from the harm bug this season, there’s quite a bit to love about what Abreu can present Boston as a featured bat in its lineup transferring ahead. Abreu showcased a few of that energy through the 2026 World Baseball Traditional for Group Venezuela.
Abreu closed out the worldwide event with two residence runs, connecting on a three-run shot in opposition to Japan within the quarterfinal spherical earlier than hitting a solo shot in opposition to the U.S. within the championship recreation. He closed out the WBC with seven RBI for the eventual champions.
Join the Right this moment e-newsletter
Get all the things you might want to know to start out your day, delivered proper to your inbox each morning.
