Article: Romy Gonzalez Is Crushing Left-Handed Pitching

[Finley Rogan]

Romy Gonzalez has sneakily been one of the best hitters on the Red Sox this season, and is, by all means, having the best season of his career. In a time when the team has been searching for offense following the Rafael Devers trade, Gonzalez has stepped up. 

Since being activated from the injured list on June 2, Gonzalez has posted a 141 wRC+. His batting average and on-base percentage were the same before his injury, but Gonzalez has increased his slugging percentage from .423 to .581 in that time. The underlying numbers for Gonzalez have also been phenomenal this season. He has posted well above-average hard hit and barrel rates, while also seeing his strikeout rate drop to a career-low of 23.3%. Gonzalez is also swinging incredibly hard this season, as his average bat-speed sits at 75.6 mph. The graph below illustrates Gonzalez’s steady rise offensively in 2025.

The Red Sox have mainly deployed Gonzalez against lefty pitchers so he can have the platoon advantage. He has slashed .364/.440/.636 in those scenarios, which is good for a dominant 196 wRC+. The flip-side is that he has a putrid 66 wRC+ against right-handed pitching, meaning Gonzalez will likely continue to mostly draw playing time against southpaws.

Since trading Devers, the Red Sox have been platooning the first base and designated hitter positions, meaning Gonzalez will start at first while Rob Refsnyder starts at DH when they face a lefty starter. There will also be scenarios when Gonzalez starts at DH while the team deploys Refsnyder in the outfield against lefties. The Red Sox are much more flexible when it comes to deploying their platoon options than they were before the trade. Even though Devers posted a fantastic 138 wRC+ against left-handers this season, Refsnyder (175 wRC+ vs LHP) and Gonzalez have done better, and with Devers gone, they can both get at-bats consistently while keeping Refsnyder’s mediocre glove out of the field. Gonzalez might also see a few innings at second base in the coming weeks, as he started there in the finale in San Francisco. Again, there is a ton of flexibility within the current roster.

The negative aspect of the first base platoon has been the lack of power. Abraham Toro has five home runs and Gonzalez has just two. It is reasonable to assume that Toro could get around 10-12 by the end of the season, but that would have to come with 300 or more at-bats given his career rates. Gonzalez had a career-high six home runs last season, and that is a reasonable expectation for him to match this year. It is, however, very unlikely he will surpass 10 home runs given the fact that he is swinging and hitting the ball harder than ever before and it has amounted to just two long-balls in 103 plate appearances. For a team who entered the season with aspirations of getting 25-35 home runs from Triston Casas, the lack of power at first base could become a concern, especially since they just traded their best power hitter. It is that dilemma that Craig Breslow faces when the team evaluates whether or not to trade for a first baseman at the deadline. The current platoon performance represents an upper-end season outcome of a low-ceiling duo in Gonzalez and Toro, who will continue to be productive hitters while being due for some potential regression.

Still, this season has been a revelation for Gonzalez, and it does not feel like many people are talking about it. Although he is not a flashy player, the ability to hit consistently against lefty pitchers is a valuable tool in the major leagues. This Red Sox roster lacks offensive firepower, and some consistent production from their platoon players will continue to be key as they chase a playoff spot.

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[TedYazPapiMookie]

I still say give OAK anything they want for Kurtz.  Big, powerful HR hitting stud 1B.  Back up the truck with Prospects and Casas and make OAK a deal they can't refuse. 

 

Think about this.

Narvaez at C

Kurtz at 1B

Campbell at 2B

Mayer at SS

Bregman at 3B

Rafaela in RF/CF

Duran in CF/LF

Anthony in LF/RF

Abreu/Refsnyder at DH/4th OF

That leaves us with a need for an upgrade at back-up catcher

Toro or Gonzalez as back-up corner infielder

Story as back-up middle infielder

13 EXCELLENT offensive players who are going to be strong defenders as well.

It allows Breslow to work out the issues with the pitching staff as his only to do for 2026.

I really like the offense listed above and the control years will keep them in Boston a long time if Bregman can get a couple year extension.

[Finley Rogan]

6 minutes ago, TedYazPapiMookie said:

I still say give OAK anything they want for Kurtz.  Big, powerful HR hitting stud 1B.  Back up the truck with Prospects and Casas and make OAK a deal they can't refuse. 

 

Think about this.

Narvaez at C

Kurtz at 1B

Campbell at 2B

Mayer at SS

Bregman at 3B

Rafaela in RF/CF

Duran in CF/LF

Anthony in LF/RF

Abreu/Refsnyder at DH/4th OF

That leaves us with a need for an upgrade at back-up catcher

Toro or Gonzalez as back-up corner infielder

Story as back-up middle infielder

13 EXCELLENT offensive players who are going to be strong defenders as well.

It allows Breslow to work out the issues with the pitching staff as his only to do for 2026.

I really like the offense listed above and the control years will keep them in Boston a long time if Bregman can get a couple year extension.

I just don't think that idea is realistic for either side. For one, I don't see the Athletics trading Kurtz, he is their prized offensive prospect and they just drafted him 4th overall last season. Secondly, the Red Sox would have to give up a massive package for him. I don't see them acquiring a long-term option at first until Casas is moved. A player like Rhys Hoskins is much more realistic. If the Red Sox acquire Kurtz ever, it will come a year or so before he hits free agency assuming he can't get a deal done with Las Vegas.

[TedYazPapiMookie]

2 minutes ago, Finley Rogan said:

I just don't think that idea is realistic for either side. For one, I don't see the Athletics trading Kurtz, he is their prized offensive prospect and they just drafted him 4th overall last season. Secondly, the Red Sox would have to give up a massive package for him. I don't see them acquiring a long-term option at first until Casas is moved. A player like Rhys Hoskins is much more realistic. If the Red Sox acquire Kurtz ever, it will come a year or so before he hits free agency assuming he can't get a deal done with Las Vegas.

Great GMs don't settle if they want to win.  Hoskins isn't any better than Casas but he is more expensive.

The reason you reach for stars in trades is to improve the level of talent on your roster.  When was the last time LAD said let's not go for Ohtani, Freeman or a Mookie Betts so we can try to get a mediocre player because it's more likely to happen?  You have to think big if you want to be highly competitive.  That's how DD got Price, Sale and JD.  No guts no glory.  I can keep quoting cliches but I think you get the drift of this response.  There are a lot of fans on this site who don't seem to understand the difference between bad GMs and great GMs.  The great GMs take risks to get great rewards.  We need Breslow to seek a Maserati not a Pinto.

Kurtz will be expensive and should be.  That's why we would want him so badly and why we would sacrifice many prospects to help a team that lives off of prospects since they can't afford stars.  Back up the truck and solve a problem for a decade at 1B.  Casas is an above average player and Kurtz looks to be a step up or two from him in the long run so look in the prospect list and find guys who won't make the Red Sox roster but would definitely make the OAK roster and lump them together with Casas and upgrade the talent level of the Red Sox.  It's just that simple and worst case, they say no and it's no harm no foul and we move on to another high value target.  Go bold or go home!!!

[moonslav59]

Of all MLB batters with 180+ PAs since 2023, we have two top 15 OPS guys on platoons:

9. Refsnyder at .968 (Just below Teoscar & ahead of Vladdy)

15. Romy .937 (Just below Soto & ahead of Altuve)

[drewski6]

1 hour ago, TedYazPapiMookie said:

Great GMs don't settle if they want to win.  Hoskins isn't any better than Casas but he is more expensive.

The reason you reach for stars in trades is to improve the level of talent on your roster.  When was the last time LAD said let's not go for Ohtani, Freeman or a Mookie Betts so we can try to get a mediocre player because it's more likely to happen?  You have to think big if you want to be highly competitive.  That's how DD got Price, Sale and JD.  No guts no glory.  I can keep quoting cliches but I think you get the drift of this response.  There are a lot of fans on this site who don't seem to understand the difference between bad GMs and great GMs.  The great GMs take risks to get great rewards.  We need Breslow to seek a Maserati not a Pinto.

Kurtz will be expensive and should be.  That's why we would want him so badly and why we would sacrifice many prospects to help a team that lives off of prospects since they can't afford stars.  Back up the truck and solve a problem for a decade at 1B.  Casas is an above average player and Kurtz looks to be a step up or two from him in the long run so look in the prospect list and find guys who won't make the Red Sox roster but would definitely make the OAK roster and lump them together with Casas and upgrade the talent level of the Red Sox.  It's just that simple and worst case, they say no and it's no harm no foul and we move on to another high value target.  Go bold or go home!!!

I agree with enough of these mediocre band-aids. I agree with you that the biggest problem with Red Sox over last 4 years is pure complacency.  Everyone happy to have a team of 2-3 WARs but you need superstars to win.  A solid player is an upgradeable position.

Like you, I want to be greedy. That being said, your targets (Kurtz and Raleigh) may be too greedy.  Not saying we shouldnt make offers/kick-tires but you cant send a package that is impossible to say no to. That doesnt exist. I literally think that for Cal Raleigh, they say no to every package. Roman Anthony + Wilyer Abreu + our top 3 prospects = no.  Kurtz , I honestly think youd have to throw in Roman Anthony and then some. 

[Thunder]

Is it sad that I don't know what half of these stats mean? For a 26 year old with a minor in data analytics, I am quite embarrassed.

Nonetheless, I have enjoyed watching what Romy has been doing this season.

[moonslav59]

I will say, the Crochet deal showed a boldness Bloom never even dreamed of. The extension made the trade a clear winner and went only as far as Crochet's prime years: win-win.

The Bregman deal also blew anything Bloom even thought of out of the water. The opt-out was necessary to get the job done, and I hope Bregman likes the team enough to stick around, but I'm not sure how he's viewing the Devers trade. He may stick around, because Fenway suits him fine.

We have a solid core of players, with several of them far enough away from prime that we can expect some to get better and maybe even 1-2 to get great.

The farm looks like it has finally focused on pitching, but it will take years to reap what benefits it might produce. Until then, maybe Brez needs to look at finding another Crochet, but I'm not sure he's willing to part with more top prospects. He may look at Arias, plus maybe Romero & Cespedes as enough strength to trade Campbell or Mayer. He may look at Campbell, Jh Garcia and maybe Bleis as enough strength to trade Anthony. He may just decide to go all in on the kids and try to trade Duran or Abreu and Story or Bregman for a solid arm.

I don't see Brez standing pat.

[TedYazPapiMookie]

14 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I agree with enough of these mediocre band-aids. I agree with you that the biggest problem with Red Sox over last 4 years is pure complacency.  Everyone happy to have a team of 2-3 WARs but you need superstars to win.  A solid player is an upgradeable position.

Like you, I want to be greedy. That being said, your targets (Kurtz and Raleigh) may be too greedy.  Not saying we shouldnt make offers/kick-tires but you cant send a package that is impossible to say no to. That doesnt exist. I literally think that for Cal Raleigh, they say no to every package. Roman Anthony + Wilyer Abreu + our top 3 prospects = no.  Kurtz , I honestly think youd have to throw in Roman Anthony and then some. 

Because it's OAK and they exist because of prospects, I thought Casas who is a step down but I think will be an above average 1B is a strong start in the trade offer and then you go to depth.  You add 3 or 4 prospects that will upgrade OAK farm system and provide depth.  They have a great young SS so the package needs to focus on young pitching and young outfielders.

[Finley Rogan]

2 hours ago, Thunder said:

Is it sad that I don't know what half of these stats mean? For a 26 year old with a minor in data analytics, I am quite embarrassed.

Nonetheless, I have enjoyed watching what Romy has been doing this season.

It is not sad at all! I am just a baseball geek, plus I need to improve reaching the audience with the usage of stats. Everything I use comes from Fangraphs or Statcast which both have excellent online glossaries. 

[mvp 78]

Romy has been pretty great this season. I'm not buying into any idea that it's a breakout, but more of a high watermark.