Have the Purple Sox discovered a possible impression bat in rookie Wilyer Abreu?

Purple Sox

“He stored placing good at-bats, even on the finish. It’s similar to relentless.”

Boston Red Sox's Wilyer Abreu is congratulated by third base coach Carlos Febles (53) after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Houston.
Wilyer Abreu has pushed in 5 runs over his first three video games with the Purple Sox. AP Picture/Kevin M. Cox

The Purple Sox teed off in opposition to the Houston Astros on Thursday afternoon, amassing 24 hits en path to a lopsided 17-1 victory at Minute Maid Park.

It was a seemingly infinite deluge of base knocks for the Sox, who recorded their most hits in a single contest since connecting on 26 hits in opposition to the Mariners again on August 15, 2015.

The primary one which rookie Wilyer Abreu bashed on Thursday shall be one which he’ll always remember.

Enjoying in simply his third recreation (and second begin) up within the huge leagues, the 24-year-old Abreu opened the floodgates for his staff within the high of the second inning.

With Pablo Reyes on at first base and Boston already up 1-0, Abreu took an inside fastball from Houston starter J.P. France and promptly golfed it into proper discipline. France’s heater left the barrel of Abreu’s bat at 108.7 miles per hour and traveled 431 ft.

By the point Abreu’s moonshot landed within the second set of bleachers in Houston, the Purple Sox have been off and working with a 3-0 lead.

“As quickly as I hit the ball I knew it was gone,” Abreu instructed MassLive.com’s Chris Smith by means of interpreter Carlos Villoria Benítez. “I can’t even put into phrases how I felt that second. I can’t put into phrases how I really feel proper now. So it was a tremendous expertise, a tremendous feeling. And I’m pleased it occurred as we speak.”

Abreu’s first profession dwelling run within the huge leagues was an emphatic stamp on Boston’s 17-run salvo on Thursday. But it surely was removed from the rookie outfielder’s solely contribution.

By the point the mud settled within the backside of the ninth, Abreu closed out the win with a 4-for-5 exhibiting on the plate along with his two-run shot, a double and 4 RBI.

An impromptu call-up from Triple-A Worcester following a lingering toe damage for Jarren Duran, Abreu has not missed a step in opposition to MLB pitching. In his three video games, Abreu is batting .500 (6-for-12) with three extra-base hits and 5 RBI.

“He’s a superb hitter, man,” Cora instructed Smith about Abreu’s skillset. “He received a pitch within the zone and hit it that approach. It was enormous. He stored placing good at-bats, even on the finish. It’s similar to relentless. Once you dominate the strike zone, good issues are going to occur and that’s what he does.”

After all, Abreu’s spectacular stat line is destined to fall again to the imply over time. However Boston’s No. Seventeenth-ranked prospect (per MLB.com) additionally isn’t precisely a flash-in-the-pan discover, given the eye-popping numbers he’s accrued down in Triple-A Worcester.

One of many two prospects (alongside Enmanuel Valdez) that the Purple Sox acquired from the Astros final July in alternate for catcher Christian Vazquez, Abreu earned his call-up from the WooSox after slashing .424/.528/.949 with 9 dwelling runs and 29 RBIs in August.

“Clearly the temper final yr after we received him, it was so much completely different than now,” Cora mentioned. “Him and Valdey, they’re good offensive gamers. And we knew after we received them that they dominate the strike zone, they’ve received pop. It’s only a matter of hold getting at-bats.

“[The Astros] have an ideal hitting program over there. And that’s what they educate their youngsters: dominate the strike zone. And to date, it’s been refreshing. It’s been good. Let’s see what number of at-bats we will get him.”

Given Duran’s damage and Abreu’s skill to play all three positions within the outfield, extra at-bats must be on the best way for the rookie as Boston heads again to Fenway Park to tackle Mookie Betts and the Dodgers.

“I really feel pleased to have the ability to assist the staff,” Abreu mentioned, by way of Benítez. “This was a tremendous expertise for me and a tremendous collection for me as properly. So for me to have the ability to assist the staff win, it’s wonderful.”