6 Red Sox on Thin Ice After Missing Postseason 3rd Year in a Row

5. Connor Wong

Connor Wong's 2024 was a tale of two sides. At the plate, Wong made significant strides, but behind it, he ranked among the league's worst defensive catchers.

In 447 at-bats, Wong hit .280/.333/.425 with 13 home runs and 52 RBI. He averaged nearly a hit per game (125 hits in 126 games) and his hit total ranked fifth among MLB catchers. Each catcher ahead of Wong in that category had at least 100 more at-bats.

That's the good news. The bad news? Wong ranked among the worst defensive catchers in baseball last season. He was the fourth-worst catcher with a -9.3 deserved runs prevented (DRP) in 2024 due to his poor metrics in blocking runs (third-worst) and framing runs (fifth-worst).

The only remaining piece from the Mookie Betts trade still in the Red Sox organization, Wong will likely be a part of Boston's 2025 plans. However, it remains to be seen how concerned the Red Sox front office is about Wong's defensive struggles. Obviously a catcher first, Wong has also shown some versatility by appearing in 14 games at first base and six games at second base this season.

Catcher Danny Jansen – acquired at the trade deadline – is a free agent this offseason and is the far likelier of the two to be in a different uniform next year. Kyle Teel, the third-ranked catching prospect, is also widely anticipated to make his debut early in 2025. Wong's roster spot likely isn't in trouble, but he is undoubtedly going to need to tighten it up defensively to remain in the organization's long-term plans.