Red Sox outlook 2023: What if Masataka Yoshida lives up to the hype
What if Masataka Yoshida is more of a prize than Boston Red Sox fans think?
The Boston Red Sox will be good in 2023 if…well if a lot of things. Following the departure of Xander Bogaerts, J.D. Martinez and Nathan Eovaldi, the excitement is low amongst Red Sox Nation with how the offseason has gone.
But, what if just some of those question marks live up to or exceeds expectations like Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida who the team landed in the offseason a five-year deal.
If his mastery at the plate translate to the major leagues, the Red Sox could perhaps have their leadoff hitter and a player who can add some punch to a lineup the great David Ortiz finds a little suspect. Although Yoshida isn’t too confident in his leadoff abilities, he is a player who can get on base and is willing to do whatever the team asks of him.
"“I haven’t experienced leading off,” Yoshida said during his introduction, via MLB.com. “That’s why I said maybe I don’t have confidence to hit as a leadoff hitter, but whatever they say, I’ll do. I’m going to play hard, that’s all. I just want to keep doing the same things [as] what I did in Japan – make good contact and get on base.”"
It’s a lot of pressure to put on a player who hasn’t played in the Major Leagues…at least on American soil, but Yoshida does rank as a top 100 prospect who is MLB Rookie of the Year possibilities written all over him if he can be the force at the plate he was in Japan, especially playing half his games at Fenway Park.
In fact, Fangraphs has projected Yoshida to hit .298 with 18 homers and 85 RBI in 2023. If he comes anywhere close to that, precisely in batting average, the Boston Red Sox could have a formidable top of the lineup with him hitting in front of Alex Verdugo, Adam Duvall and Rafael Devers.
Red Sox prospect Triston Casas excited about Masataka Yoshida
Yoshida is one of two Boston Red Sox top prospects to get excited about in 2023. The other is Casas.
As both players are vying for MLB Rookie of the Year honors, Casas is excited to be playing with his new teammate instead of against him as the two played on opposing teams during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Casas played on Team USA, while Yoshida played on the Japan squad that took Gold by beating the U.S.
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If only Red Sox fans knew back, then that two of the most elite hitters during the Olympics would be relied on to help carry the offense in 2023. To add to the excitement the Boston Red Sox most anticipated prospect has added some hype to the arrival of Yoshida.
"“I thought he was the most elite hitter in that lineup,” Casas said, via NBC Sports Boston. “I know (Seiya) Suzuki was in that lineup as well from the Cubs, but when (Yoshida) stepped up to the plate, his stature isn’t imposing but his bat-to-ball skills are elite. His left-handed swing is really nice and it’s going to play great in our stadium.”"
In signing a $90 million deal, the hope is Yoshida becomes a dominate force offensively at Fenway Park with his ability to control the strike zone and provide a little more pop from his bat.
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As a player expected to hit near the top of the lineup in 2023, Yoshida could add a bit more punch to a lineup that doesn’t excite many people as it stands.
Prediction/Outlook: Yoshida will come close to the projections. He will hit just over .300 with 14 homers and 75 RBI and will establish himself as a top of the order hitter.