Red Sox Outfielder Could Be Rookie of the Year Darkhorse

The Boston Red Sox (69-65) have had no shortage of offensive production from seemingly every position in their lineup this season. That has even been the case for Wilyer Abreu, their rookie outfielder.

In a recent article from MLB.com , 30 MLB experts were polled regarding the National and American Leagues Rookie of the Year races. Abreu ranked fourth in the polling for the American League but did receive two first-place votes.

Here is what they had to say about Abreu:

"On July 9, Abreu snapped out of a 0-for-17 funk that dropped his OPS to .763 -- its lowest point since mid-April -- with a 430-foot dinger in a victory over the A’s. From there, the 25-year-old has been one of the best hitters in the sport, slashing .292/.369/.613. That .982 OPS is tied for 13th-best in MLB (min. 100 PA)."

For the season, Abreu is batting .267/.335/.494 with 44 extra-base hits, 52 RBI, and a 126 OPS+ across 364 plate appearances in 106 games, and has manned all three outfield positions for the Red Sox as well as serving as DH.

The Red Sox acquired Abreu in a 2022 trade with the Houston Astros (72-62). He made his Major League debut on August 22nd, 2023, going 2-for-3 with a double against those same Astros.

Abreu has not had enough plate appearances to qualify, but among Red Sox hitters with 250 or more at-bats this season, he ranks third on the team with his .829 OPS, behind only Jarren Duran (.875) and Rafael Devers (.940).

Abreu will have a tough row to hoe to get ahead of Colton Cowser in the Rookie of the Year race, but with the season Abreu is having, he could be a dark horse candidate that takes the crown with a strong September.