Article: Wilyer Abreu Is the Spark We Didn’t Know We Needed

[Alex Mayes]

I think we'd all be lying to ourselves if we said we saw this version of Wilyer Abreu in 2025.

In what may have been a shocking surprise to most Boston fans, Wilyer Abreu has been the shining star of the 2025 Red Sox so far this season. He missed the bulk of spring training with a gastrointestinal illness that cost him 15 pounds before he finally reported to camp. Fans were cautious about what he could contribute, citing Vaughn Grissom’s similar weight loss and lack of production in 2024 as a possible outcome for Abreu. He proved everyone wrong on Opening Day and he hasn’t stopped mashing since.

As of Tuesday morning, Abreu is slashing .424/.537/.788 for a 249 wRC+. No one could have predicted this from him. Last season, he showed some power, but so far in 2025, he’s a can’t-miss at-bat each time he comes up to the plate. With the game on the line, as it was during the first part of the doubleheader on Sunday, there is no one else you want stepping into the batter’s box right now. Abreu is almost that automatic. His Savant page is red-hot. He’s currently in the 92nd percentile or better in the following categories: exit velocity, hard-hit rate, and walk rate. He’s working at-bats to get into counts he wants, taking walks, and making pitchers pay when they miss their spots by crushing the ball.

We all knew Abreu was a phenomenal defender, and the Gold Glove last year solidified that. As we saw Sunday night, his arm is a genuine weapon. 

I venture to say that most other right fielders wouldn’t have thrown out Lars Nootbaar at third with such a precise throw. It was perfect, and it was totally Abreu. He’s played an excellent right field and should be in the Gold Glove conversation again in 2025. After that showcase on Sunday, runners will probably get the hint and finally stop running on Abreu.

In my final roster prediction of spring training, I wrote that I expected Abreu to be the odd man out in the outfield as he worked his way back from his illness. I’ve never been more excited to be proven wrong so quickly. We knew that Abreu would shine on defense, but no one expected his offensive onslaught to start the season. He’s making a convincing argument that he’s much more than a platoon right fielder, and he has maybe even played his way into an extension conversation. The front office seems keen on handing those out lately.

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[moonslav59]

I'd like to see him get a chance to bat vs LH'd SP'ers, but not at Refsnyder's expense. We could shuffle some guys around and sit Rafaela vs some lefties, but his defense has been a major boost to this team.

[Old Red]

46 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I'd like to see him get a chance to bat vs LH'd SP'ers, but not at Refsnyder's expense. We could shuffle some guys around and sit Rafaela vs some lefties, but his defense has been a major boost to this team.

No need to shuffle anything, or bench RAF Man IMO. Even if the RAF Man doesn’t draw enough walks, or hit as well that some would like the rest of the offense should be good enough that he doesn’t have to. The least shuffling around the better. That’s why Ref Man is playing RF even in Fenway.

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, Old Red said:

No need to shuffle anything, or bench RAF Man IMO. Even if the RAF Man doesn’t draw enough walks, or hit as well that some would like the rest of the offense should be good enough that he doesn’t have to. The least shuffling around the better. That’s why Ref Man is playing RF even in Fenway.

If we want Abreu to try hitting LH'd starters, I suggested a way.

It may not happen. It may not need to happen. Rafaela brings a lot of pluses to the team, too.

I know you dislike platoons and shuffling, but Ref playing vs LHPs is the right thing to do. Ideally, we'd have 8 all around players and never need shuffling or platoons, but if shuffling or platoons make the team better, I'm not sure why "less is better."

Platoons and shuffling help all players stay active and part of the team.

[Old Red]

25 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

If we want Abreu to try hitting LH'd starters, I suggested a way.

It may not happen. It may not need to happen. Rafaela brings a lot of pluses to the team, too.

I know you dislike platoons and shuffling, but Ref playing vs LHPs is the right thing to do. Ideally, we'd have 8 all around players and never need shuffling or platoons, but if shuffling or platoons make the team better, I'm not sure why "less is better."

Platoons and shuffling help all players stay active and part of the team.

Yes I dislike shuffling, and I’m all for having the Ref Man in the lineup against LHP. I don’t really care if the bench guys get much playing time. KC is far from a polished 2B, and he needs all the reps he can get there IMO even if that means he doesn’t get an occasional day in the OF. Role players can do the shuffling that’s what they are there for. 

[moonslav59]

10 minutes ago, Old Red said:

... I’m all for having the Ref Man in the lineup against LHP. 

Finally.

[Old Red]

11 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Finally.

I wasn’t totally against it. I know you’re an advocate for the Romy, DHam, and Ref type guys, and nothing wrong with that, but I just like to have a more set lineup.

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, Old Red said:

I wasn’t totally against it. I know you’re an advocate for the Romy, DHam, and Ref type guys, and nothing wrong with that, but I just like to have a more set lineup.

All I said about Romy-DHam was that they were okay on offense as a platoon, and that DHam helped stabilize the 2B defense in 2024, after the disaster at the start of the year with EValdez, Reyes and DHam's first tour of duty.

I was more than happy with Campbell winning the FT job.

I just want the best players out there. If a platoon is all we got, and it's better than a single player option than why be for the "set line-up," if it makes us worse?

I get how it looks good on paper to have a set 9 guys who are all good to great hitters and defend well. They have no glaring weaknesses that need to be "handled" via a platoon or late inning defensive replacement moves.

If Campbell was not promoted, our best choices were Mayer or a DHam-Romy platoon. These two are so bad vs wrong-handed pitchers, neither deserved a "set line up" slot.

If Abreu starts hitting LHPs, and Rafaela keeps struggling vs both-handed pitchers, some sort of shuffle might be called for, but I do not think we are there, yet, and we may never get there. (An Anthony promotion would cause some serious choices to be made, and IMO, one would not be to bench Refsnyder vs lefties.)

[Old Red]

13 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

All I said about Romy-DHam was that they were okay on offense as a platoon, and that DHam helped stabilize the 2B defense in 2024, after the disaster at the start of the year with EValdez, Reyes and DHam's first tour of duty.

I was more than happy with Campbell winning the FT job.

I just want the best players out there. If a platoon is all we got, and it's better than a single player option than why be for the "set line-up," if it makes us worse?

I get how it looks good on paper to have a set 9 guys who are all good to great hitters and defend well. They have no glaring weaknesses that need to be "handled" via a platoon or late inning defensive replacement moves.

If Campbell was not promoted, our best choices were Mayer or a DHam-Romy platoon. These two are so bad vs wrong-handed pitchers, neither deserved a "set line up" slot.

If Abreu starts hitting LHPs, and Rafaela keeps struggling vs both-handed pitchers, some sort of shuffle might be called for, but I do not think we are there, yet, and we may never get there. (An Anthony promotion would cause some serious choices to be made, and IMO, one would not be to bench Refsnyder vs lefties.)

I agree with this, but I’m not looking for any Anthony promotion anytime soon unless an injury crops up. I still think, sooner, or later a trade, or two will be made to get rid of some log jams when Mayer, and Anthony come up, and to get more pitching. I don’t see that happening anytime soon, or maybe not even this year, and there are many possibilities there.

[moonslav59]

46 minutes ago, Old Red said:

I agree with this, but I’m not looking for any Anthony promotion anytime soon unless an injury crops up. I still think, sooner, or later a trade, or two will be made to get rid of some log jams when Mayer, and Anthony come up, and to get more pitching. I don’t see that happening anytime soon, or maybe not even this year, and there are many possibilities there.

I agree. I don't see us calling up Anthony (or Mayer) just for the sake of excitement and buzz creation. There has to be an injury, a player in a prolonged slump or a clear belief that the player being replaced is worse than the one we call up.

While Rafaela is off to a slow start on O, the sample size is small, and he has done so much with the glove, I doubt the Sox brass is squirming over him dragging the team down. Maybe, someday that becomes the case. I don't see Abreu or Refsnyder losing their platoon roles. I don't see Duran losing his job. That leaves very little room for Anthony, and I mentioned Rafaela, only because he seems like the most likely to be or need replacing.

Same with Bregman, Story and Campbell in the IF. We are in no hurry to call Mayer up.

I do think a trade may be the final solution, assuming no major injuries or clear benching situations, and that may not happen until next winter. If Refsnyder retires, that may open up a slot for Anthony, as some sort of Rafaela-Abreu platoon/shuffle could go down, but if he has another good year, he may come back. The Yoshida question also need attention, at some point.

[Old Red]

19 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I agree. I don't see us calling up Anthony (or Mayer) just for the sake of excitement and buzz creation. There has to be an injury, a player in a prolonged slump or a clear belief that the player being replaced is worse than the one we call up.

While Rafaela is off to a slow start on O, the sample size is small, and he has done so much with the glove, I doubt the Sox brass is squirming over him dragging the team down. Maybe, someday that becomes the case. I don't see Abreu or Refsnyder losing their platoon roles. I don't see Duran losing his job. That leaves very little room for Anthony, and I mentioned Rafaela, only because he seems like the most likely to be or need replacing.

Same with Bregman, Story and Campbell in the IF. We are in no hurry to call Mayer up.

I do think a trade may be the final solution, assuming no major injuries or clear benching situations, and that may not happen until next winter. If Refsnyder retires, that may open up a slot for Anthony, as some sort of Rafaela-Abreu platoon/shuffle could go down, but if he has another good year, he may come back. The Yoshida question also need attention, at some point.

What is Yoshida doing these days?He did get introduced at Fenway opening day, but it’s like he’s vanished since ST.

[moonslav59]

27 minutes ago, Old Red said:

What is Yoshida doing these days?He did get introduced at Fenway opening day, but it’s like he’s vanished since ST.

Found this from 5 days ago on MSN Sports:

 

Yoshida’s road to recovery is progressing, but patience is the name of the game. According to Cora, the 31-year-old is currently throwing from 110 feet—a positive step, but not enough to greenlight a rehab assignment.

“It’s not just standing there; you have to make throws,” Cora emphasized, hinting at defensive drills as the next hurdle.

“It’s not just standing there; you have to make throws,” Cora emphasized, hinting at defensive drills as the next hurdle.

[Kimmi]

7 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

I'd like to see him get a chance to bat vs LH'd SP'ers, but not at Refsnyder's expense. We could shuffle some guys around and sit Rafaela vs some lefties, but his defense has been a major boost to this team.

I'd like to see both Abreu and Casas play regularly against left-handed starters.  That's tough to manage when you have guys like Refsnyder and Romy who need at bats too, and who hit LHP pretty well.

At any rate, we should have a better offense against lefties this year than we did last year, last night's game notwithstanding.

[moonslav59]

21 minutes ago, Kimmi said:

I'd like to see both Abreu and Casas play regularly against left-handed starters.  That's tough to manage when you have guys like Refsnyder and Romy who need at bats too, and who hit LHP pretty well.

At any rate, we should have a better offense against lefties this year than we did last year, last night's game notwithstanding.

There was no Casas platoon, when he was healthy in '23 and '24, and I have not heard Cora say it was going to happen in 2024, but he has sat the two games vs lefties.

Refsnyder has to play vs lefties, but it need not always be for Abreu. We could try this, too:

LF Refsnyder

CF Duran

RF Abreu

(4th OF: Rafaela)