Article: What Should Rob Refsnyder’s Role Be for the Red Sox in 2025?

[Alex Mayes]

It seems as if the Red Sox are counting on Rob Refsynder to take meaningful at bats against both left- and right-handed pitchers in 2025. Should this be the plan as spring training draws near?

I already know what the first few comments will say, and yes, I did leave Rob Refsnyder off my first 2025 Red Sox roster projection. I made my case for that decision in the comments, and I was hoping Boston’s group of right-handed hitters would look different. They don’t, so I’m sorry Rob. If I could go back, I’d slot you right in the lineup for Opening Day at DH, much like Jen McCaffrey did, due to the chance Masataka Yoshida isn’t ready to face big league pitching yet. With the roster being mostly unchanged, though, I started wondering just what Refsnyder’s role with the 2025 Red Sox would be since he played out of his mind in 2024.

In 2024, Refsnyder slashed .283/.359/.471 for a 130 wRC+, which is a huge increase from his 2023 mark of 93. It became obvious throughout the season that Alex Cora trusted Refsnyder to face left-handed pitching more than he trusted Wilyer Abreu, and Refsnyder rewarded that trust time and time again. In fact, he has become known as the lefty killer amongst the fanbase. Had the Red Sox signed another right-handed bat, Refsnyder would have been expected to contribute off the bench and pinch-hit against lefties when necessary.

Now, though, I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that Refsynder is the starting DH for the Red Sox to begin the season. In the short term, this likely will work out fine. Refsnyder isn’t allergic to hitting right-handed pitching or anything, but his strength is obviously against lefties. This would allow Abreu to see more left-handed pitching, although I agree with Davy Andrews that this may not be the best foot forward to begin the season, and I would get Refsnyder more at-bats. In the long-term, though, Refsnyder is a mostly soft-hitting platoon player, and putting him at DH likely doesn’t bode well for the 2025 season. He did hit 11 home runs in 2024, but shouldn’t you expect quite a bit more out of the DH spot than that?

Refsnyder’s role hinges on Masataka Yoshida’s health. If Yoshida is able to start the season as the DH, then Refsnyder slides back into his role as a platoon outfielder with Wilyer Abreu and all is right with the world — at least as right as it can be without more additions to the roster . Should Yoshida have to start the season on the IL, Refsndyer is likely the first man up as DH, and that could mean the Red Sox aren’t nearly as competitive as we hoped.
 

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[moonslav59]

With no Anthony or an addition like Grichuk on the opening day line-up, I'd say Ref is the LF platoon. This assumes Yoshida is healthy. Even if we add Grichuk/Laureano or Anthony to the roster, Ref should start every game vs LHPs, even if it means platooning Yoshida at DH.

I see our opening day OF configuration as such:

LF: Duran v R/ Ref v L

CF: Rafaela v R/ Duran v L

RF: Abreu v R/ Rafaela v L

(As you can see, Duran and RAF play FT, while Abreu and Ref platoon.)

If Yoshida is hurt, we might see Romy platoon with Abreu in RF and Ref DH or platoon DH with ____?

[notin]

Hoping DH platoon.  Probably RF platoon, at least as it stands now.

Plus he can back up 1b in a pinch…

[notin]

33 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

With no Anthony or an addition like Grichuk on the opening day line-up, I'd say Ref is the LF platoon. This assumes Yoshida is healthy. Even if we add Grichuk/Laureano or Anthony to the roster, Ref should start every game vs LHPs, even if it means platooning Yoshida at DH.

I see our opening day OF configuration as such:

LF: Duran v R/ Ref v L

CF: Rafaela v R/ Duran v L

RF: Abreu v R/ Rafaela v L

(As you can see, Duran and RAF play FT, while Abreu and Ref platoon.)

If Yoshida is hurt, we might see Romy platoon with Abreu in RF and Ref DH or platoon DH with ____?

Refsnyder played 163 innings in RF last year; Romy played 11.  It’s painfully obvious who Cora prefers.  
 

Im still holding out that another RHH OF with actual defensive skills enters the picture, but I expect no action on that front until the 60 day IL opens up…

[moonslav59]

22 minutes ago, notin said:

Refsnyder played 163 innings in RF last year; Romy played 11.  It’s painfully obvious who Cora prefers.  
 

Im still holding out that another RHH OF with actual defensive skills enters the picture, but I expect no action on that front until the 60 day IL opens up…

On away games, Ref in RF is fine with me. At home, I prefer someone/anyone esle.

I can't see what Cora did home and away, but my guess is Ref started more games in LF at Fenway than RF. On the road, it was likely flipped.

[mvp 78]

19 hours ago, notin said:

Hoping DH platoon.  Probably RF platoon, at least as it stands now.

Plus he can back up 1b in a pinch…

He shouldn't play RF at Fenway. 

[Old Red]

8 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

He shouldn't play RF at Fenway. 

If Ref Man platoons any with Abreu he most likely will play RF at Fenway, or anywhere else IMO shouldn’t, or not. I don’t see Cora realigning the whole OF if Abreu isn’t playing as it stands now.

[mvp 78]

31 minutes ago, Old Red said:

If Ref Man platoons any with Abreu he most likely will play RF at Fenway, or anywhere else IMO shouldn’t, or not. I don’t see Cora realigning the whole OF if Abreu isn’t playing as it stands now.

Who is playing RF and CF in this scenario? 

If it's Rafaela and Duran, I'd push Rafaela to RF and Duran to CF. 

[moonslav59]

28 minutes ago, Old Red said:

If Ref Man platoons any with Abreu he most likely will play RF at Fenway, or anywhere else IMO shouldn’t, or not. I don’t see Cora realigning the whole OF if Abreu isn’t playing as it stands now.

You keep saying this, but Cora has been doing this, all along.

Last year at Fenway, Ref started 21 games in LF, and only 6 in RF, including 4 games in a row, when O'Neill went down AND Abreu was out, too. It's obvious that Cora rightfully avoids playing ref in Fenway's RF.

Conversely, in away games, Ref started 14 games in RF (my guess is that these were shorter RF or equal to LF is space.) He started 10 games on the road in LF.

Cora is not dumb, and he does not hesitate to move people around, even within a game. He jerked Rafaela between SS and CF, often. He moved DHam from SS to 2B quicker than he did Kike back to CF.

Nobody is saying playing Ref in LF at fenway park is asking for some big change from Cora. We are just suggesting he continue doing what he has been doing.

Now, the Devers to 1B idea is major and is asking for a major shift in game planning. This Ref idea is NOT!

[moonslav59]

3 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Who is playing RF and CF in this scenario? 

If it's Rafaela and Duran, I'd push Rafaela to RF and Duran to CF. 

Exactly. The only change is that with no O'Neill, we use Rafaela in RF, instead. There is not reason to think Cora will choose Ref.

BTW, O'nell started 56 gms in LF and 34 in RF, so there is more evidence that Cora does not mind shifting players to different corner OF slots, based on park and who else is playing or platooning with Abreu. O'neal also swapped corner OF slots within 28 different games.

Abreu started just 6 games vs a LH'd SP and 104 vs a RHP.

[Larry Cook]

We currently have 6 outfielders on the 40 man roster. Duran, rafeala, abreau, refsynder, Garcia and yoshida. 
1.) Garcia is not ready for major leagues and will start the year in the minors. 
2.) yoshida probably starts the year on the injured list. 
 

Duran, rafeala, abreau and refsynder is an acceptable outfield to start the year! 
 

the problem becomes if rafeala has to play regularly in the infield or refsynder or Duran has a regression year. 
 

with Sandoval and perales going to the 60 day DL, we do have spots open if Campbell or Anthony completely wows everybody in spring training! Or gets off to a fast start in Worcester 

[mvp 78]

10 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Exactly. The only change is that with no O'Neill, we use Rafaela in RF, instead. There is not reason to think Cora will choose Ref.

BTW, O'nell started 56 gms in LF and 34 in RF, so there is more evidence that Cora does not mind shifting players to different corner OF slots, based on park and who else is playing or platooning with Abreu. O'neal also swapped corner OF slots within 28 different games.

Abreu started just 6 games vs a LH'd SP and 104 vs a RHP.

We've pushed a CFer to RF before and it worked out ok (2013, 2016). 

[Old Red]

18 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Who is playing RF and CF in this scenario? 

If it's Rafaela and Duran, I'd push Rafaela to RF and Duran to CF. 

You keep saying what you would do. I on the other hand are posting what I think the Red Sox will Actually do. I don’t see Cora realigning the whole OF if Abreu doesn’t play, and, Ref  Man does, and Duran, and RAF Man are the other 2 OF.

[mvp 78]

6 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

We currently have 6 outfielders on the 40 man roster. Duran, rafeala, abreau, refsynder, Garcia and yoshida. 
1.) Garcia is not ready for major leagues and will start the year in the minors. 
2.) yoshida probably starts the year on the injured list. 
 

Duran, rafeala, abreau and refsynder is an acceptable outfield to start the year! 
 

the problem becomes if rafeala has to play regularly in the infield or refsynder or Duran has a regression year. 
 

with Sandoval and perales going to the 60 day DL, we do have spots open if Campbell or Anthony completely wows everybody in spring training! Or gets off to a fast start in Worcester 

With Campbell and Mayer closer to MLB ready, I don't think Rafaela will be forced to play near fulltime SS again unless he's earned it for some weird reason. They are better equipped to deal with an injury in the OF or MIF this year IMO. A Catching or 1B injury would be rough. 

[Old Red]

19 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

You keep saying this, but Cora has been doing this, all along.

Last year at Fenway, Ref started 21 games in LF, and only 6 in RF, including 4 games in a row, when O'Neill went down AND Abreu was out, too. It's obvious that Cora rightfully avoids playing ref in Fenway's RF.

Conversely, in away games, Ref started 14 games in RF (my guess is that these were shorter RF or equal to LF is space.) He started 10 games on the road in LF.

Cora is not dumb, and he does not hesitate to move people around, even within a game. He jerked Rafaela between SS and CF, often. He moved DHam from SS to 2B quicker than he did Kike back to CF.

Nobody is saying playing Ref in LF at fenway park is asking for some big change from Cora. We are just suggesting he continue doing what he has been doing.

Now, the Devers to 1B idea is major and is asking for a major shift in game planning. This Ref idea is NOT!

You keep saying Ref Man would play LF, and I say the Red Sox would play Ref Man in RF if Duran, and RAF Man was the other two OF. How many games did Duran play CF last year when RAF Man was also playing the OF too?

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, Old Red said:

You keep saying what you would do. I on the other hand are posting what I think the Red Sox will Actually do. I don’t see Cora realigning the whole OF if Abreu doesn’t play, and, Ref  Man does, and Duran, and RAF Man are the other 2 OF.

He already does it though. He moves the players all over the field. 

Duran 105 G CF, 83 LF

Refsnyder 46 LF, 37 RF

Rafaela 87 CF, 82 SS, 10 2B, 4 3B, 1 RF

[Old Red]

5 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

He already does it though. He moves the players all over the field. 

Duran 105 G CF, 83 LF

Refsnyder 46 LF, 37 RF

Rafaela 87 CF, 82 SS, 10 2B, 4 3B, 1 RF

RAF Man played all of 3 innings in RF last year. RAF Man played SS as much as he did last year, because Story was hurt, and Cora played Raf Man there, because Cora thought he was the best option. Duran played CF when RAF Man was at SS. If EVERYONE is healthy those moves wouldn’t be needed.

[moonslav59]

28 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

We currently have 6 outfielders on the 40 man roster. Duran, rafeala, abreau, refsynder, Garcia and yoshida. 
1.) Garcia is not ready for major leagues and will start the year in the minors. 
2.) yoshida probably starts the year on the injured list. 
 

Duran, rafeala, abreau and refsynder is an acceptable outfield to start the year! 
 

the problem becomes if rafeala has to play regularly in the infield or refsynder or Duran has a regression year. 
 

with Sandoval and perales going to the 60 day DL, we do have spots open if Campbell or Anthony completely wows everybody in spring training! Or gets off to a fast start in Worcester 

Abreu should not start vs LHPs.

[mvp 78]

24 minutes ago, Old Red said:

If EVERYONE is healthy those moves wouldn’t be needed.

Wrong.

[notin]

21 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

On away games, Ref in RF is fine with me. At home, I prefer someone/anyone esle.

I can't see what Cora did home and away, but my guess is Ref started more games in LF at Fenway than RF. On the road, it was likely flipped.

Anyone else?  Refsnyder isn’t a good outfielder, but he certainly isn’t the worst one in MLB.  And he’s probably better out there than Romy would be.

Romy is at best an emergency outfielder, best only deployed when the only other remaining options are pitchers, catchers, or just leaving it empty…

[Old Red]

8 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Wrong.

We shall see. What you think, and what the Red Sox will actually do are most likely two different things. The Red Sox don’t make moves for defensive purposes as they have shown time, and time again, so I don’t know why you think they will now, so like I said  shall see.

[notin]

52 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

He already does it though. He moves the players all over the field. 

Duran 105 G CF, 83 LF

Refsnyder 46 LF, 37 RF

Rafaela 87 CF, 82 SS, 10 2B, 4 3B, 1 RF

I think most of Refsnyder’s time in LF was because Duran was covering CF while Rafaela played SS…

[moonslav59]

43 minutes ago, Old Red said:

RAF Man played all of 3 innings in RF last year. RAF Man played SS as much as he did last year, because Story was hurt, and Cora played Raf Man there, because Cora thought he was the best option. Duran played CF when RAF Man was at SS. If EVERYONE is healthy those moves wouldn’t be needed.

Yes, you further strengthened our position. Cora will move a player like Rafaela to SS, if needed.

Now, he is needed in RF vs LHPs.

Thanks.

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, notin said:

I think most of Refsnyder’s time in LF was because Duran was covering CF while Rafaela played SS…

Cora could have played O'Neal in LF and Ref in RF at Fenway, but as far as I can see, he never did.

Most of ref's starts in RF at Fenway was during the time Abreu was ou injured.

It was obvious, Cora tried hard to avoid Ref in Fenway's RF. I doubt that changes, but he may end up there a handful of games, again.

[moonslav59]

13 minutes ago, notin said:

Anyone else?  Refsnyder isn’t a good outfielder, but he certainly isn’t the worst one in MLB.  And he’s probably better out there than Romy would be.

Romy is at best an emergency outfielder, best only deployed when the only other remaining options are pitchers, catchers, or just leaving it empty…

Rafaela in RF would be way better than Ref. Ref vs Romy is another question.

Duran in CF is no slouch.

Anyone who thinks Duran LF, Rafaela CF and Ref in RF at Fenway is a better defensive alignment than Ref-Duran-RAF is in La-La Land.

Rafaela hardly played RF, last year, because he wasn't needed there as much as he was at SS and CF.

We had O'Neal and Abreu for RF for over 110 games. The other 50 saw a mix of Ref and Abreu, with Abreu starting vs some LHPs, when Ref was in LF or DH'ing.

[mvp 78]

23 minutes ago, notin said:

Anyone else?  Refsnyder isn’t a good outfielder, but he certainly isn’t the worst one in MLB.  And he’s probably better out there than Romy would be.

Romy is at best an emergency outfielder, best only deployed when the only other remaining options are pitchers, catchers, or just leaving it empty…

I'd throw Masa in LF before putting Romy out there again just to keep Masa happy.

[mvp 78]

19 minutes ago, Old Red said:

We shall see. What you think, and what the Red Sox will actually do are most likely two different things. The Red Sox don’t make moves for defensive purposes as they have shown time, and time again, so I don’t know why you think they will now, so like I said  shall see.

And you assume that you know everything the Sox will do. We shall see. 

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

And you assume that you know everything the Sox will do. We shall see. 

He keeps saying Cora is not going to change things around, but if Cora does what he always does, he will flip people all over the place to get a better line-up and defensive alignment.

He rarely played Ref in Fenway's RF, so if he does not change his MO, then Ref will hardly play Fenway's RF, again in 2025.

[Old Red]

11 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Yes, you further strengthened our position. Cora will move a player like Rafaela to SS, if needed.

Now, he is needed in RF vs LHPs.

Thanks.

You thinking something is needed, and Cora thinking something is needed are two entirely different things, so if you think that strengthens your position that doesn’t surprise me at all. At the moment there is NO Injuries to make it any kind of need. Saying Ref Man should not play RF at Fenway didn’t come from Cora either. Need I remind you that MOST of your predictions, suggestions, opinions, or anything else you want to call them them don‘t happen.

[mvp 78]

17 minutes ago, notin said:

I think most of Refsnyder’s time in LF was because Duran was covering CF while Rafaela played SS…

Would make sense because Duran and Abreu played a s*** ton of games last season. If Rafaela doesn't have to cover SS, there is enough flexibility for Cora to move guys around out there. He couldn't last year as he didn't have the bodies.