Red Sox Speedster Andrews Opata Is Leaving His Mark In Salem [Exclusive]

[Nick John]

“I got the call and I told him [Opata’s agent] I wanted to be a Red Sox. Best decision I ever made.”

Since signing with the Boston Red Sox, Andrews Opata has shown that their investment was a good one. Through his first 96 professional games, the undrafted free agent has put together a well-rounded season, hitting .256/.370/.396 with 13 doubles, three triples, 10 home runs and 53 RBIs. He also has stolen 49 bases, a team record that is only growing with each swiped bag. Speed is a big part of his game, so it was only natural that he set (and continues to increase) a single-season record.

“It was an awesome feeling. Honestly, I didn’t even know until 30, 45 minutes after the game when I looked at my phone. It was definitely a cool thing to say that I accomplished. I take pride in my speed and base running because I think being able to create a lot of runs for our team is really special to me,” Opata explained about his record setting season. The outfielder isn’t only interested in stolen bases, however, instead looking to make smart decisions and place himself in positions where the rest of the lineup can drive him in.

He’s managed to do just that, having been driven in 76 times on the season. Despite his overwhelming speed, Opata admitted that it takes more than just that to succeed on the basepath. Especially against professional pitchers.

“I go into the game knowing the pitcher’s time to the plate. Usually 1.3, 1.4 [seconds]. Knowing the arm behind the plate. Whether it’s better to stay at first base. I take into account a lot of different things and really steal when I know there’s like a 95% chance I’ll be safe. I’ll just stay at first and let the game play out,” Opata admitted. His cautious approach with his speed was on display during his time in college, as he went 85 for 91 in stolen base attempts. Since becoming a professional, he’s gone 49 for 56.

But despite his plus speed and baserunning instincts, Opata didn’t enter draft day with the thought of being selected. Rather, he went into it with the thought he could be drafted or return to school, hoping that everything would work out. While he didn’t get drafted, Opata still received the call from his agent.

His first professional experience involved flying down to Fort Myers and after signing his contract, he managed to play in a few bridge league games before going home until a week before Thanksgiving. Upon returning to the complex in Fort Myers, he got back to work as he lifted, hit and did defensive drills. It was, in a sense, a precursor to spring training and allowed him to get acclimated to the system and get familiar with how things would be when he returned to Fort Myers in January for actual spring training. Then, during his first pro spring, he got into a few games as a late-game replacement, a special experience for the outfielder.

But it wasn’t until he finally played in Salem that it was a truly special situation.

“I haven’t ever played in an environment like that with a bunch of fans. It was fun. The first night I didn’t get a hit, but I remember coming home and was like it was super fun and knew every night it’s going to be similar to that. So I was just really excited to see how the season went.”

Despite his success during his first season, there have still been some learning moments for Opata. Since his junior year of high school, his main position was center field. But in 2026, he’s mainly played the corner outfield positions for Salem. The transition back to the corners was a little tough for the outfielder at first due to a combination of factors that included how the ball would spin different towards left or right field compared to center field.

Opata had to learn and adjust to the change in angles the ball would come at him and the routes he would need to take—that a fly ball to the corners might have some slice or hook to them. He would take time to learn the best position to be in based on the hitter at the plate and how Salem’s pitchers would attack them. But eventually, it became easier as he put in consistent work every day.

Offensively, he quickly learned that the quality of pitching was different than what he faced in college. While he had previously faced pitchers who threw hard, now he had to deal with pitchers who not only had a good fastball, but also quality command of it along with movement on their pitches. Once he adjusted to it, however, he has been a quality offensive weapon for a Salem team fighting for a playoff spot.

Despite the ups and downs, it’s been a season he’s valued deeply.

“I’ve learned a lot this season about what it takes to be a professional baseball player. There’s the struggles that come and go and you just have to ride the wave. You’ll have good weeks and bad weeks, but if you just stay as consistent as possible, you’ll be in a pretty good spot.”

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