I don’t learn about you of us, however I’m feeling fairly good getting into the center third of August. I do know I blew off some steam in last week’s Brushback; I needed to get all of these vibes off my chest so as to sustain with the nice instances.
All issues thought-about, it’s certainly enjoyable to be a Sox fan proper about now. Off the sector, our management made an enormous resolution that may impression the franchise for years to return (extra on that in a couple of paragraphs). On the sector, even after dropping the collection in San Diego, our guys are standing on fairly stable floor: getting into play on Sunday, FanGraphs gave Boston a 76.8% probability of qualifying for postseason play, the fifth-highest odds within the American League (not too shabby contemplating we’re duking it out in one of the best of the three divisions in our half of MLB). Sunday’s loss actually received’t give a giant enhance to these odds, however we’re nonetheless in good condition after the previous couple of weeks of going through persistently staunch competitors and main right into a latter half of August the place the opposition isn’t practically as formidable.
A big a part of this good little run we’ve been on following the All-Star break has been due to the unsung heroes: your Romy Gonzalezes, your Rob Refsnyders, your Lucas Giolitos (apart from Saturday’s begin), guys like that. In fact we count on loads from somebody like Alex Bregman or Garrett Crochet—they usually’ve delivered, for positive—but when the Crimson Sox need to make a deep run this fall, supporting characters offering a jolt when wanted might be essential. I mentioned it in final week’s MMBB however I’ll reiterate: as is, this staff has the capability to legitimately contend within the AL. If they will preserve this type up, we might be in for a enjoyable September and (dare I say) October.
Right here’s hoping that we are able to keep away from the summer time swoon that hit us final season…and the 12 months earlier than that…and the 12 months earlier than that…
It’s Monday Morning Brushback time, y’all.
Lengthy Might The Emperor Reign
I hope you may get used to seeing a bunch of quantity 19 jerseys out and about at Fenway Park—you’re gonna be seeing a complete lot extra of ‘em.
On Wednesday, the Crimson Sox had reached an settlement with 21-year-old outfield extraordinaire Roman Anthony on a long-term contract extension. The streets of Boston rejoiced, the flowers smelled that a lot nicer and the music sounded that a lot sweeter, the champagne runnethed (I hope that’s a phrase, although spell test on WordPress appears to suppose in any other case) over everybody’s glasses, and a nationwide vacation was declared—a wonderful celebration on the heels of superb information for the hometown 9.
The brass tacks of the deal, which begins next season: eight years (his age 22 via 29 seasons), $130 million in back-loaded worth initially. There’s a membership choice for 2034 value $34 million (I can solely think about that the Sox will train that choice barring a disaster; by the point 2034 rolls round—if the nukes haven’t already been launched into orbit or if we haven’t been attacked by Martians by that time—$34 million ought to be capable to land you a center reliever), whereas sure performance-based escalators reminiscent of excessive finishes within the Rookie of the Yr or MVP races can improve Anthony’s eventual take-home pay.
Kudos to Craig Breslow within the entrance workplace for figuring out the face of the franchise and for locking him in as such!
Do you really want me to inform you how wonderful of a deal that is for the Sox from a expertise perspective? You’re all sensible of us (solely sensible of us learn OTM, after all *finger weapons*) and also you’ve seen what this dude is able to on the plate already.
Nicely, I don’t receives a commission by my Vox overlords if I don’t inform you, so let me illustrate simply how wonderful Anthony’s been to start his tenure within the bigs: whereas he hasn’t registered sufficient ABs to qualify for Savant’s leaderboards, his common exit velocity and exhausting hit price would each be adequate for the highest 10—possibly even prime 5—within the league, alongside the likes of James Wooden, Juan Soto, and Aaron Choose. He’s already placing up sufficient aggressive plate appearances by not chasing at a ton of junk, the bat velocity is superb, and it looks as if he squares up the ball each time he steps into the field.
To steal a soccer time period (one that truly means “he’s rattling good” even when it doesn’t seem to be it at first look): Roman Anthony, already, is unplayable. If he’s doing this in simply his first few months on the highest degree of the sport, think about the numbers he’s gonna put up when he’s in his prime. The entrance workplace, rightfully so, acknowledged that potential—good on them for getting this piece of enterprise achieved.
I wasn’t full on nervous that we weren’t going to get one thing labored out with Anthony down the road, however I have to admit: I didn’t count on the state of affairs to be sorted out this early into his profession. What a reduction that it’s taken care of, although, and what a pleasure will probably be that we get to observe him rake for years to return.
Hey Siri: play “Electrical Really feel” by MGMT on loop.
Wilyer Abreu might find yourself having, comparatively quietly, a 30-homer and 4.0 bWAR season.
I imply, by the very nature of that qualifier, you possibly can’t actually have a quiet season, proper? However on the similar time, I really feel like he won’t be getting the credit score throughout the league as a complete that he deserves. Regardless of some bumps right here and there and an harm difficulty a couple of months again, he’s been so spectacular to me—each on the plate and on protection.
After Wilyer’s nice contributions in opposition to KC at Fenway earlier within the week, you noticed each of these flashes of his excellence in opposition to the Dads this weekend: his moonshot on Friday off of ol’ pal Nick Pivetta helped preserve the get together occurring Friday, whereas a pleasant snag on Saturday was one other instance of his stellar defensive capabilities.
Apparently that liner on Saturday had just a 5% chance of being caught, and but Abreu made it look straightforward. That combined with the rocket launcher of an arm he’s bought is a recipe for defensive success, particularly in proper area at America’s Most Beloved Ballpark.
As for Wilyer’s work with the lumber: high quality Twitter poster Vivienne—a must-follow in the event you’re searching for some Sox evaluation—pointed to his continued progress in lifting pitches to his pull facet from the left facet of the dish.
Certain, being extra of a pull-heavy man from the left whenever you play half of your video games at Fenway isn’t 100% excellent, per se, however that hasn’t appeared to gradual Abreu down: he’s nonetheless on tempo to beat out a lot of his power-based stats and metrics in comparison with his 2024 marks. His slugging proportion, OPS, OPS+, xwOBA, xSLG—all of these are trending up in comparison with final season, which was already a great basis to construct off of. He’s a rattling good hitter.
Whereas long-term extensions for our younger outfielders are recent on the thoughts, I’m wondering if an extension for Abreu might be on the horizon. My beautiful Pod On Lansdowne co-host, Mista Liam Fennessy, raised the topic throughout Saturday night time’s recreation. That put up bought me pondering within the wake of Anthony’s deal being introduced. 2026 can be Wilyer’s remaining pre-arbitration 12 months, as he’s at present set to hit unrestricted free company following his age 30 season in 2029. Would Breslow and firm elect to eat that final 12 months of pre-arb cash so as to lock in a 12 months or two of his free company years? Would they relatively preserve that determine low within the close to future and transfer nearer in the direction of his arbitration years, maybe leaving some room between their price range and the CBT threshold so as to add an impression participant with a better AAV at one other place?
Time will inform on that entrance, I suppose. I might see Breslow figuring out Wilyer as one other essential piece of the inspiration for the subsequent nice Crimson Sox staff, just like what he did with Roman this week together with Crochet, Brayan Bello, and Ceddanne Rafaela with extensions of their very own signed over the past 16 months or so.
Till then: simply preserve cookin’, Wily.
You Gotta Pay the Trolle Tolle
Southpaw pitcher—and one tall drink of water—Payton Tolle was referred to as as much as AAA Worcester over the weekend. That’s enjoyable!
The 2024 second rounder has flown via the minor league ranks in 2025; after beginning in A-ball down in Salem, he made fast work of AA by making 5 begins with Portland to the tune of a 1.67 ERA and 12.3 (!!!!!!) Ok/9. The 22-going-on-23-year-old’s progress has been mirrored by prospect retailers throughout the game: Pipeline has him because the quantity three prospect inside the group and number 91 overall, Baseball America slotted him in at number 49 in their post-draft update, and the oldsters over at Sox prospects say he’s the club’s best prospect at the moment.
His first begin in Worcester on Sunday was…nicely, it actually wasn’t stellar, however he had his moments.
The grand slam? Dangerous. The whiffs on the heater? Good. It’s his first begin in AAA, let’s give him some grace—particularly when he’s flashing some legit potential.
The social media tax must be taken in account for this subsequent level, however I’ve already seen some whispers among the many Fenway trustworthy that they might see Tolle as a September call-up. Given his fast ascension via the farm system, and provided that he might present some pitching depth down the stretch if that call is certainly made, I suppose I perceive the place that sentiment comes from. I’m not totally there but—from what I learn, it feels like he might use some extra seasoning with the secondary choices exterior of his stellar fastball—however I don’t suppose he’s too far off from making his MLB debut, whether or not it’s this season or in 2026.
Both method you slice it, it’s thrilling to see somebody like Tolle make a reputation for himself on the bump.
Tune of the Week: “I Want” by Skee-Lo
It’s true: I DO want I had a rabbit in a hat with a bat.
Similar time and similar place subsequent week, pals! Go Sox.
