Red Sox outlook 2023: What if Adam Duvall joins 40-HR club
The 40-home run club, despite the sheer amount of home runs hit in recent years, remains an elite club to join. The Boston Red Sox are no strangers to the special joy that comes when a player joins the club, having only had 19 such occasions in club history.
In 2022, four MLB player reached that mark, led by 62 from New York Yankee Aaron Judge. And that was down from the five players who reached that mark in 2021.
The last player to reach the 40-home run club for the Boston Red Sox was J.D. Martinez, who swatted 43 in 2018. One hopes Rafael Devers, who hit 38 in 2021, can someday crack that club. But what if newly acquired Adam Duvall can stay healthy and reach that magical mark in 2023?
Needed power for Boston Red Sox
Focus on the home run has meant a lot more players hitting between 20 and 39 each season. One of those players, when healthy, has been Duvall.
His best seasons have seen Duvall deliver on power and driving in runs, both aspects desperately needed for the Red Sox. This was a club sorely lacking in that department in 2022 and lost a couple of top run producers.
Duvall can hopefully pick up that slack.
His best season isn’t a distant memory, either. Back in 2021, Duval — splitting time between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta — hit 38 home runs with 113 RBI. He added 17 doubles and two triples, providing adequate excitement and production for both clubs.
Batting average for Duvall tends to sit on the lower end of things, hitting .228 in that high-value season and only .230 for his career.
But in two other seasons, Duvall crossed the 30-HR barrier, hitting 31 in 2017 and 33 in ’16.
Boston Red Sox: Adam Duvall could be biggest x-factor at plate in 2023. light. Related Story
Trouble in recent seasons for Duvall has been staying on the field. In ’20 and ’21, he was a regular and the numbers reflected that. In 2019 and last season, however, injuries plagued the center fielder.
In 86 games last season, Duvall had 12 home runs, 36 RBI, and hit .213.
Aiming high with 40 home runs isn’t overstating Duvall’s worth. He’s on a one-year deal, where players often thrive in atmospheres where they are given a chance to shine. And it’s not like he’s a light-hitting prospect. Duvall might be creeping towards the twilight of his career but there is still plenty of pop to be had, given a chance to play regularly.
Boston Red Sox: Duvall dream scenario
One of the positives of the roster the Boston Red Sox management put together is versatility. Multiple players can be used a variety of ways on the field, including Duvall.
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Ideally, Duvall is the everyday center fielder but he can also play the corner spots as needed. First base might also be an option, especially if Triston Casas and Bobby Dalbec struggle. Designated Hitter could also be an option, giving Justin Turner days off.
Defensively, center is Duvall’s prime spot but it’s good to know other options are available, especially if he’s hitting and Jarren Duran reaches the potential thrust upon him.
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In a dream scenario, Duvall plays 130 + games and gains membership into the 40-HR club. It’s not entirely out of the question. If he reaches that mark, life in Boston for the Red Sox should be rosy. It’s not hard to imagine a healthy Duvall having a resurgence in 2023, putting a tough ’22 behind him and helping the Red Sox compete all the way through October.