Red Sox Outfielder Forcing His Way Onto MLB Roster With Spring Training Play
The Boston Red Sox overhauled their outfield corps this offseason with a mix of expensive talent and minor-league veterans.
One of the latter options has really shined so far in spring training, thanks in part to the World Baseball Classic allowing for extra playing time for those still in camp.
29-year-old Raimel Tapia has taken full advantage of his regular playing time. He's hit .407 (11-for-27) with seven extra-base hits including two home runs, five RBIs, two stolen bases in as many attempts and a 1.244 OPS through 10 games.
Tapia is making a strong push to make the Opening Day roster but he'll have plenty of competition.
Alex Verdugo, Masataka Yoshida and Adam Duvall are roster locks. Tapia will battle Rob Refsnyder, Jarren Duran and Greg Allen for one or two more roster spots depending on how the bench is constructed.
Refsnyder was highly productive last season -- he hit .307 with 17 extra-base hits including a career-high six home runs, 21 RBIs and a .881 OPS in 57 games for Boston. Some would consider the 31-year-old to be a roster lock but he lacks career pedigree and has opened the door to be replaced with a terrible spring.
The journeyman is hitting a cool .080 (2-for-25) with a double, home run and a balanced nine-to-seven strikeout-to-walk ratio through 11 games. The Red Sox are unlikely to put much stock into spring training output but it does start to matter during a position battle -- if there is one.
Duran started off spring training hot but left to play for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic -- where his main responsibility has been to wear a sombrero on the bench.
Allen stayed in camp but has not done much to impress and appears to be a depth option that will start in Triple-A Worcester.
Signs would point to Verdugo, Yoshida, Duvall, Refsnyder and Tapia all making the Red Sox roster. If manager Alex Cora decided to only carry four outfielders, it'll be a tough decision between Refsnyder and Tapia.
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