The Purple Sox reached the playoffs for the primary time since 2021, however their postseason run lasted all of three days after the membership was eradicated by the Yankees within the Wild Card spherical.
Time at hand out some year-end grades.
As we speak we have a look at the infielders, who for higher or worse performed a large function in each getting the Purple Sox to the playoffs and within the group’s final defeat. For our functions Ceddanne Rafaela and Nate Eaton will probably be thought of outfielders although each noticed notable enjoying time within the infield, whereas Nick Sogard will probably be ranked with the infielders although he sometimes performed outfield.
Trevor Story: A-
After three years suffering from accidents and inconsistency, Trevor Story lastly delivered the kind of season the Purple Sox anticipated once they signed him to a six-year, $140 million deal in 2022.
Story led the group with 157 video games performed and have become the second participant in Purple Sox historical past to have 25 residence runs, 90 RBI and 30 stolen bases in a season, becoming a member of Jacoby Ellsbury in 2011. He overcame a brutal month of Might to bat .289 with an .827 OPS from June 1 onwards, serving to energy the membership to the postseason.
Defensively Story’s efficiency was onerous to quantify. On one hand he clearly handed the eye-test and returned a degree of baseline consistency to the shortstop place the Purple Sox have lacked for years. Then again he dedicated 19 errors and graded poorly in lots of superior metrics, together with minus-7 defensive runs saved.
Finally Story was one among Boston’s finest all-around gamers, and his return to type is likely one of the greatest the explanation why the membership loved the success it did.
Alex Bregman: B+
Alex Bregman was all the pieces the Purple Sox hoped he’d be and extra once they signed him this previous offseason, although there have been a handful of setbacks alongside the best way that introduced his grade down.
First, the great. Bregman received off to a incredible begin, batting .299 with 11 residence runs and a .938 OPS via his first 51 video games. That was sufficient to earn him All-Star honors regardless of lacking almost two months with a quad pressure suffered on Might 23, and even whereas sidelined Bregman continued to make his mark within the clubhouse.
On the down facet, Bregman did miss vital time because of damage and wasn’t almost as productive following his return. So whereas Bregman’s first season in Boston was clearly successful, there could be room for enchancment ought to the veteran return subsequent season.
Romy Gonzalez: A
Initially slated to function the membership’s prime utility possibility, Gonzalez stepped into an on a regular basis function following Triston Casas’ damage and stored the infield afloat. He crushed left-handed pitching, batting .331 with a .978 OPS in opposition to lefties, and offered satisfactory protection at each first and second base. He far exceeded expectations and performed a big function in serving to the Purple Sox attain the postseason.
Carlos Narvaez: A+
The place would the Purple Sox have been with out Carlos Narvaez? The rookie got here out of nowhere to grab the beginning catching job and established himself as one of many prime all-around backstops within the recreation. Defensively Narvaez was elite, posting notably robust marks for his framing and throwing arm, and he received off to an excellent begin on the plate earlier than grinding via a knee damage that restricted him all through the second half. He additionally earned rave critiques from the pitching workers and will stay a key a part of the Purple Sox’s future.
Connor Wong: F
This 12 months was nothing wanting a catastrophe for Wong. Getting into the 12 months because the membership’s clear-cut No. 1 with little apparent competitors throughout the group, Wong was rapidly surpassed by Narvaez and noticed his beforehand standout offensive manufacturing crater. Wong didn’t file his first RBI till June 23 and batted under .240 with a sub-.600 OPS in each month of the season. Accidents contributed to Wong’s struggles, so he and the membership will each need to hope subsequent season there’s nowhere to go however up.
Nathaniel Lowe: B-
Lowe was designated for project by the Washington Nationals following a dismal season however offered a lift to Boston’s lineup upon his arrival in late August. Lowe batted .280 with a .790 OPS in 34 video games with the Purple Sox, although he was largely unplayable in opposition to left-handed pitching and in addition dedicated a pricey error within the playoffs that helped result in the group’s Sport 3 loss to the Yankees that ended Boston’s season.
Marcelo Mayer: C+
Mayer made his long-awaited MLB debut on Might 24 and rapidly started flashing the expertise that has lengthy made him among the many recreation’s prime prospects. Defensively Mayer was excellent, offering a lift to the membership at each second and third base. Offensively he had his moments however couldn’t discover his rhythm, particularly in opposition to left-handed pitching. Mayer has additionally struggled to remain wholesome all through his profession and noticed his 12 months lower quick once more by a sprained wrist that necessitated season-ending surgical procedure.
David Hamilton: D+
This was a tricky 12 months for Hamilton, who bounced backwards and forwards between the large leagues and Triple-A and couldn’t ever get right into a groove on the plate. Defensively Hamilton was nice at second base and he ranked third on the group with 22 stolen bases, however he additionally batted .198 on the season and was caught stealing six occasions.
Nick Sogard: C
Sogard isn’t actually a standout at something and lacks any semblance of energy however is rock stable at nearly all the pieces else. The switch-hitting utility man spent many of the 12 months in Triple-A however got here up large on quite a few events when known as upon. His greatest second by far was his extra-innings walk-off in opposition to the Athletics that helped hold the Purple Sox in playoff place down the stretch.
Kristian Campbell: D-
Campbell made the Opening Day roster and was incredible out of the gate, incomes AL Rookie of the Month honors for April. Then all the pieces fully fell aside, and by mid-June he’d been demoted and would by no means sniff the majors once more. That sizzling begin has to depend for one thing, however in any other case this season marked an enormous step again for the previous prime prospect.
Triston Casas: Incomplete
Casas struggled out of the gate, and simply when it seemed like he was beginning to flip the nook he suffered a catastrophic season-ending damage. What may need been had he managed to remain wholesome? We’ll by no means know, however hopefully the 25-year-old could make a full restoration and understand his immense potential in 2026.
