Boston Red Sox: 3 players that need to break out of their current slumps

Boston Red Sox player who needs to bust his slump No. 1: Bobby Dalbec

Let’s cut to the chase here; this is quite clearly a make-or-break season for Bobby Dalbec. And so far, it has gone quite horribly. Dalbec has been among the worst hitters in the league to open the season, and unless he finds a way to start getting on base over the next few weeks, he’s going to lose his starting job before he knows it.

Dalbec’s starting stats have been abysmal thus far (.147 BA, 1 HR, 3 RBI). He’s still taking barely any walks (just four so far) while striking out a ton (23 K’s so far, so he’s basically good for one a game). It’s been a massive step backwards after Dalbec pieced together a solid second half last season.

The main reason for Dalbec’s improved production towards the end of last season was because he became more patient at the plate, and was able to draw more walks. But Dalbec has gone back to his hackin’ ways, and he has been nearly unplayable as a result. He never walks, he always strikes out, and even when he makes contact, half of the time it doesn’t leave the infield.

Dalbec was on the hot seat at first base coming into the season, and that seat is now engulfed in flames. With Triston Casas continuing to play well in Triple-A with the Worcester Red Sox, the calls for his promotion will only increase as Dalbec continues to struggle. And he’s showed no signs of coming anywhere close to heating up.

Bloom and the front office took a gamble letting Kyle Schwaber walk in free agency and turning the reigns back over to Dalbec, and so far it’s backfired on them. Dalbec has been terrible, and it’s safe to say his major league career is probably hanging in the balance right now. Whereas Hernandez and Pivetta has longer leashes to get their act together, Dalbec only has a few weeks, and as of right now, it doesn’t seem like he’s going to be able to pull it off.