Surprising Red Sox Infielder Making Most Of Opportunity So Far In Spring Training
The Boston Red Sox have plenty of questions around them heading into the 2023 campaign.
One of the biggest questions for the Red Sox heading into spring training was who is going to be playing in the middle infield once the regular season rolls around. Enrique Hernandez is all but certain to be the team's starting shortstop but second base still has been a question for the Red Sox, but it doesn't seem like it needs to be any more.
Boston traded for speedster Adalberto Mondesi this offseason but he is yet to take part in game action for the Red Sox yet as he continues to recover from a torn ACL he suffered last year. It is widely expected that when he is ready he will at least platoon at second base. Christian Arroyo entered camp as the team's expected second baseman until Mondesi returns but many speculated that Enmanuel Valdez could snatch the role with a big spring.
Valdez has been impressive so far for Boston, but Arroyo has made the most of his extended opportunity so far in Grapefruit League action. The 27-year-old entered Tuesday's contest leading the club in both home runs with two and RBIs with seven in 11 games. He entered the contest near the top of the team's leaderboard in batting average while batting an eye-popping .355.
Arroyo continued his impressive start to the spring with yet another hit as the Red Sox took on the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday afternoon as well.
While Arroyo may not be Boston's best longterm option at second base, he has proven that he at least deserves an extended opportunity in the starting lineup to kick off the 2023 season. When he's been healthy he has produced at the plate for Boston since joining the club in 2020. His career-high in games is 87 in 2022 so he likely won't be the team's lone second baseman in 2023, but he should have an extended look in the regular season.
If Arroyo can stay healthy and maintain his hot start to spring training, he could surprise a lot of people in 2023. He's always shown that he could be a solid depth option, but this spring he has shown that he could be even more than that. Boston did acquire Mondesi so he likely will play a big role at some point, but Arroyo is making it hard for anyone to keep him out of the lineup.
At one point it seemed like Valdez would snatch the second base spot, but Arroyo has made it very clear that he is the best man for the job right now.
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