Michael Chavis has been a nice surprise for a struggling Boston Red Sox team.
When the Boston Red Sox brought up slugger Michael Chavis, they probably didn’t expect him to contribute immediately. He is an energetic and fresh face to this Red Sox club that has been devoid of energy lately.
They have come back to earth from last season. The bullpen is an ongoing problem as there are very few pitchers to trust. Also, the starting staff is underwhelming. Staff ace Chris Sale hasn’t looked like himself all year.
Boston has had a couple glimpses of last season, but the rest of their play has snowballed.
Chavis is doing more than his part, as he is hitting .264 with 10 home runs and 28 RBI. He’s only played in 38 games, and he is already one of the best hitters on the team this year. The young slugger is known for his bat, which has translated to the major leagues.
Chavis is showing he can be selective a the plate due to his 10.9 percent walk rate. Although he can be streaky at the dish, he has the right approach. He’s having a good start to the month with a .286 batting average in seven at bats.
Chavis likes to swing at the first pitch, as he is hitting .409 when the count is 0-0. He is a clutch hitter also, with his .304 BA with runners on.
On the defensive end, the 23-year-old has a nice play last game against the New York Yankees. He made a play on a hard ground ball down the first base line. The Red Sox have a good fit with him a first, as Mitch Moreland wouldn’t have made that grab.
Boston has the sixth-best offense in the MLB, but their pitching ranks 17th with a 4.46 ERA. Chavis is a player that the Red Sox can hopefully rely on in the near future and beyond.
With the possible departure of star Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez, having a big bat like Chavis to replace some of their production is crucial. The infielder is an important player that is part of this team now and its next great team.
If the two big sluggers leave, Boston should build around Chavis, Andrew Benintendi, and Rafael Devers. The pitching is a whole separate discussion, as the Red Sox have been known to struggle at developing pitching in their minor league system.
For now, the Red Sox have another piece of the puzzle in Chavis.