5 Red Sox Players Who Are Cementing Themselves As Franchise Cornerstones

4. Wilyer Abreu

In a move that now looks like a steal, the Red Sox acquired Abreu along with Enmanuel Valdez for Christian Vazquez at the 2021 trade deadline.

After Abreu raked in Triple-A Worcester in 2023, he got his first taste of big league action towards the end of a disappointing 2023 Red Sox season. In a small sample size, Abreu shined, putting together a .316/.388/.474 slash line in 85 plate appearances.

Entering the 2024 season, the Red Sox gave Abreu the chance to earn an everyday spot in the outfield, and he has seized the opportunity.

In his first full season, Abreu is batting .275 with a 133 OPS+, 12 doubles, and 20 RBIs in 157 plate appearances. He’s shown good plate discipline even as a rookie, ranking in the 79th percentile in BB% across MLB. Abreu is even a perfect 7 for 7 in stolen base attempts.

But that’s not all, as Abreu has also made an impact with his defense in right field. He has 2 outfield assists, a positive outs above average, and ranks in the 97th percentile in arm strength. After Boston’s shaky outfield defense in 2023, Abreu has provided a steady presence in right field.

Overall, Abreu has a 1.9 bWAR in just 44 games. Abreu is only a rookie, and with the potential he has flashed in his first MLB season, he is already looking like a core component of Boston’s offense.