Underrated Fan-Favorite Could Be Game-Changer For Red Sox In 2023
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The Boston Red Sox certainly underperformed in 2022.
Boston entered the season, not as favorites to win the World Series, but appeared to at least be a playoff club. The Red Sox made it all the way to the American League Championship Series in 2021 and had a similar roster in 2022. Although they had plenty of pieces, Boston struggled and finished in last place in the American League East with a 78-84 record.
The 2023 Red Sox -- unlike last year's team -- will look completely different. The roster saw significant turnover in the offseason and there is a new look to the club. Although this is the case, there still are some roster holdovers that should play a major role with the team this season. One player that could be a game-changer is outfielder Alex Verdugo.
Verdugo was acquired by Boston ahead of the 2020 season in the team's deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers centered around former Most Valuable Player Mookie Betts. The 26-year-old had massive shoes to fill and although he has been solid, hasn't gotten the recognition he has deserved over the last three seasons.
The 26-year-old has been solid for Boston in three seasons slashing .288/.343/.425 to go along with 30 home runs and 152 RBIs in 351 games while providing solid outfield defense. He has been solid, but the expectations have been off the charts in comparison to Betts.
Verdugo has been impressive at times, but there still is plenty of room for growth and manager Alex Cora noted that, and even issued a direct challenge to the young outfielder to take this past offseason as an opportunity to get in shape and get ready for a big 2023 season. The 26-year-old seemingly did just that and entered camp in the best shape of his Boston career to date and it led to a solid spring. Verdugo batted .300 in eight games for Boston in spring training.
Verdugo went from a top prospect at one point, to now arguably being underrated. He could be an X-factor for the Red Sox this season. If Verdugo can take another step forward, he can help fill the offensive holes left by the likes of Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez while continuing to play above-average defense. He likely will fully take over right field for Boston in 2023 -- Betts' old stomping grounds -- and the team is going to need it.
The 26-year-old may not be Boston's best player on paper, but he could be one of the most impactful this season. He was solid in 2022 slashing .280/.328/.405 to go along with 11 home runs and 74 RBIs, but his ceiling is even higher than that. If he's able to take a step forward in 2023, he could be a game-changer for the Red Sox.
Boston currently has very low expectations for 2023 among experts and betting analysts alike, but a solid season from Verdugo could be a factor that completely changes this.
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