Dear Trevor Story, I'm Sorry

Dear Trevor Story,

I’m sorry. There, I said it. I’m big enough to admit when I am wrong. Here we are more than halfway through July, and I’ve eaten countless words that I’ve typed and said about you. I called for you to be traded, benched, even DFA’d. I was able to start walking it back last month as I included you in the Hitters of the Month for June, and you’re making a case to be there again in July. I mean, the low and away slider is still your kryptonite, but we don’t have to talk about that here. This is me celebrating you and admitting that I was wrong. 

Since June 1, you’ve been one of the best hitters in the game. You rank 21st overall in batting average with .303. Some big names are sitting behind you on that list, like Juan Soto. You may remember him from when the Red Sox were trying to sign him to the most expensive contract in baseball history. Yeah, you’ve been better than him when it comes to putting the bat to the ball. Can we talk about RBIs for a second though? You’re FIFTH in the majors with 35 since then. Incredible. That walk percentage is pretty low at 5% but once again, we’re not here to dwell on the negative. If we narrow it down to just MLB shortstops, you move up to fifth in batting average on that list behind some pretty solid names like Elly De La Cruz and Gunnar Henderson. There’s only one shortstop in front of you in home runs too, Willy Adames, but he plays in a park built for homers half the time, so it’s okay. What’s crazier, though, is you have a 100% success rate on stolen bases. I knew you could be quick on the basepaths, but man, 16 bags without being caught? Impressive. 

I’d like to discuss your defense briefly before I sign off here. While the numbers don’t support you having improved your defense, at all, you’re passing the eye test and making some incredible plays at shortstop. We all know that short is one of the most challenging positions to field on the diamond and that incredible jump throw from earlier in the month should be the first thing that pops up when people search ‘Derek Jeter jump throw’ because that’s what he wishes it looked like. It was a thing of beauty and the type of play I know you’ve been dying to make since signing with the Red Sox. You can’t help that you’ve been injured while being hit by a pitch or making a diving play that separated your shoulder. Injuries are part of the game, no doubt, but you’ve had your fair share of unfortunate and untimely injuries. 

I’ll repeat it, TS10. I’m sorry I doubted you and called for you to be traded, benched, and DFA’d. I was just hoping for the best possible player you could be, and it took you finding your groove in June to show everyone how much you mean to this team. I sincerely hope that this newfound success lasts for the remainder of the season and the duration of the contract that you’re sure to opt into. Can’t wait for that.

All the best,
Alex