Can he play an adequate defense?Happen to have come around to this guy as an underrated prospect. Lots of pop, great plate discipline. A middling contact profile, much like Casas, but if he can manage to make enough contact he's the sort of guy who could really lengthen our lineup by grinding out at-bats.
SP says potential average RF with a plus arm.Can he play an adequate defense?
Duran either had or is having today an MRI, no announcement yet of the results.10 day? Was it a contusion only?
OK, thanks. Wilyer Abreu, what you got?Duran either had or is having today an MRI, no announcement yet of the results.
Abreu is insanely hot - maybe he'll have a bit of a sparkplug effect.Was it misplaced to be hoping for Rafaela?
Let's hope. Duran wasn't setting the world on fire before this.Abreu is insanely hot - maybe he'll have a bit of a sparkplug effect.
He looked serviceable to me. Got to the balls you'd expect, didn't do anything flashy. SoxProspects suggests that's what should be expected of him defensively.I haven’t been able to watch the past two games. I know there was a throwing error in his first game, and Wilyer played CF in the blowout game on Thursday, but does anyone have initial impressions of the defense over 3 games? Does Wilyer look like a serviceable OF?
The bat has had a decent showing, even if you downplay the 4-5 yesterday. Not immediately striking out a ton, and already seeing an average over 4 pitches/AB.
That scouting report seems to be from before the start of this season, but they have his arm and defense as the best parts of his game.Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40
Abreu gets the most out of his average speed thanks to keen instincts on the bases and in the outfield. He stole 31 bases in 34 tries last year, when he spent most of his time in center field. He has spent more time on the corners this season, making good reads and routes and showing the solid arm strength needed for right field.
Personally, I've seen him play a couple times and noticed he had good arm strength.Profiles best in a corner outfield position. Solid instincts and efficient routes. Not a flashy defender, but makes the routine plays and does a good job getting to balls on the move. Could be an above-average defender in right field, but projects as fringe-average in center field.
I think if you're "fringe average" in center field in general you're going to be the same in right field in Fenway.MLB.com says this about Wilyer:
That scouting report seems to be from before the start of this season, but they have his arm and defense as the best parts of his game.
Sox Prospects on his defense:
Personally, I've seen him play a couple times and noticed he had good arm strength.
There was a highlight video earlier in the Worcester season where he made a really good throw from RF to nail a baserunner, but I can't find it now. I'm not worried about his arm strength at all. Accuracy, we'll see, but it hasn't been a problem in the minors.
He's on fire right now and we should ride with him until he cools off, which he inevitably will, but nobody knows when. Duran will be out for a while more, and if Wilyer can stay fairly hot for a couple weeks, that could be really helpful.
I'm curious, why not? They've been running with Duvall, Duran, Verdugo, and Yoshida (and Refsnyder) for the past couple months. Substituting Abreu for Duvall next year seems a reasonable mix. I think what's more likely is that Abreu will be on the Worcester shuttle next year (probably with Rafaela) and they'll look for him to really step up in 2025 with Verdugo possibly gone.They definitely don't need all 4 of Abreu, Duran, Verdugo & Yoshida next year. Will be interesting to see how they pivot.
I'm guessing he's referring to all 4 of those guys being LH (and Duvall RH)?I'm curious, why not? They've been running with Duvall, Duran, Verdugo, and Yoshida (and Refsnyder) for the past couple months. Substituting Abreu for Duvall next year seems a reasonable mix. I think what's more likely is that Abreu will be on the Worcester shuttle next year (probably with Rafaela) and they'll look for him to really step up in 2025 with Verdugo possibly gone.
Yeah, that was what I was referencing. I think Rafaela fits as a fine Duvall replacement if he's ready, but not Abreu. If he's going to start the season with the Sox, I think 1 of the other 3 is redundant.I'm guessing he's referring to all 4 of those guys being LH (and Duvall RH)?
After some earlier bad defense…. From what I can tell so far, he’s at least preferable over Verdugo.Bumping this after his 3 hit game today. Obviously a small sample size, but an .849 OPS over his first 130 at-bats is pretty nice. He started off a little rough in the field but he's starting to look more comfortable out there. We might have something here?
Especially when you factor in that Abreu is still considered a rookie, isn't arbitration eligible until '27 and FA eligible until 2030. That doesn't even consider the return for Verdugo.After some earlier bad defense…. From what I can tell so far, he’s at least preferable over Verdugo.
I was all about getting an extension to Verdugo in mid June of last season. I’m so glad I passed when I was offered the GM position.Especially when you factor in that Abreu is still considered a rookie, isn't arbitration eligible until '27 and FA eligible until 2030. That doesn't even consider the return for Verdugo.
Bloom did a great job of finding decent players while giving up very little value. He got good returns on the Vazquez and and Benintendi trades. His big problem was acquiring star players. If Story and Yoshida were better and healthier players, those other guys would be awesome filling out the bottom of the lineup.I was all about getting an extension to Verdugo in mid June of last season. I’m so glad I passed when I was offered the GM position.
Seriously though- it’s a crazy thing… I don’t think Abreu was considered anything other than a potential 4th OF and while he could still obviously play terribly the rest of his career starting tomorrow, he’s looking good so far.
Bloom made plenty of bad decisions but at some future point, it’d be interesting to dig a little deeper into everything he did without touching the Mookie trade and assess. I still think he needs a few more seasons as the current team is pretty much Bloom’s club.
I'll check again after bref updates, but I'm pretty sure this great game should put Wilyer in the lead in bWAR among AL rookies — over Justin Slaten, with whom he had been tied at 1.0.Up to 322/412/542. Wow
When?It feels like when O'Neil is back a lineup of O'Neil in RF and Abreu at DH will be optimal.
Cowser is the only guy I checked, he has 1.1.I'll check again after bref updates, but I'm pretty sure this great game should put Wilyer in the lead in bWAR among AL rookies — over Justin Slaten, with whom he had been tied at 1.0.
That's right. Your 2024 Red Sox have the top two rookies in the AL by bWAR; Jared Jones is the leader in the NL, unless I missed someone (this isn't the easiest thing to check), also with 1.0.
He is back.It feels like when O'Neil is back a lineup of O'Neil in RF and Abreu at DH will be optimal.
O'Neill, Duran, Abreu is the best overall outfield the team can field right now. Refsnyder has been hot since returning but I don't believe it's sustainable (particularly against RHP). Plus I expect he might get some run at 1B as long as the bat stays hot. Rafaela is the SS now. DH is kinda crowded already with Devers and Yoshida. No sense in trying squeeze Abreu into that mix when he's a good defender.It feels like when O'Neil is back a lineup of O'Neil in RF and Abreu at DH will be optimal.
The Story injury may end up having some upside as otherwise it might have been tough for Abreu to get regular AB.O'Neill, Duran, Abreu is the best overall outfield the team can field right now. Refsnyder has been hot since returning but I don't believe it's sustainable (particularly against RHP). Plus I expect he might get some run at 1B as long as the bat stays hot. Rafaela is the SS now. DH is kinda crowded already with Devers and Yoshida. No sense in trying squeeze Abreu into that mix when he's a good defender.
Why? Abreu has looked pretty damned good in RF and has a great arm.I just went to four nights of Phish at the Sphere and only looked at tonight's box score. Yuge apologies, my guy.
Tiny silver lining for sure. Though I suspect that at some point, Rafaela was going to swing his way out of the lineup. As good as he is defensively, a 33 OPS+ is not really good enough to justify him starting regularly over Abreu.The Story injury may end up having some upside as otherwise it might have been tough for Abreu to get regular AB.