One thing the Boston Red Sox roster has built is outfield depth. The problem for the Red Sox defense and their offense hasn’t been on the players patrolling the outfield. The Red Sox outfield is solid with the likes of Tyler O’Neill, Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, and Rob Refsnyder. When he’s not in the infield, Ceddanne Rafaela provides another young option for the outfield, with Roman Anthony waiting in the wings in the minors. However, one outfielder stood out in Saturday’s game against the Chicago Cubs. Wilyer Abreu sets a record as a rookie for tallying an RBI in eight consecutive games. No other Red Sox rookie has ever done that.
Wilyer Abreu just became the first Red Sox rookie ever to record RBIs in eight consecutive games
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) April 27, 2024
The Wilyer Abreu Record Punctuates a Fantastic Rebound
Abreu, 24, was acquired by the Red Sox in a trade with the Houston Astros for catcher Christian Vazquez. He burst onto the scene in 2023, hitting .316/.388/.474 with 2 home runs and 14 RBI in 85 plate appearances. For some, it’s surprising that Abreu is still considered a rookie. He’s become a mainstay in this lineup, even if he struggled early in the season.
After spring training, when Rafaela earned the starting centerfield job, finding a place for Abreu in the everyday lineup was hard. Through Boston’s first 13 games of the season, Abreu got into nine of them and was only the starter for five. He hit a paltry .191/.261/.238 with only one double. Fans questioned whether the team should send him down to gain consistent at-bats, especially in a young career.
However, the team would face plenty of injuries, with Trevor Story out for the season and Tyler O’Neill put into concussion protocol after colliding with Rafael Devers. Abreu has since found an everyday role, playing in 12 of the next 14 games. He found his stroke again, hitting .366/.449/.659 since he became a regular. He’s logged two home runs, nine RBI, and six doubles.
Now, the Red Sox outfielder finds himself in a class of his own. Since April 18th, he’s recorded an RBI in eight straight games.
Abreu Chasing Other Red Sox Records
Abreu should get plenty of playing time, as Rafaela seems to be the main replacement for Story this season, and Masataka Yoshida is the primary DH. If this streak continues, Abreu could find himself chasing down Red Sox greats. Not only is the Wilyer Abreu RBI record for rookies, but he’s among the likes of Manny Ramirez and Ted Williams for consecutive games with an RBI.
Longest Sox RBI streaks and when they were most recently accomplished
Wilyer Abreu, 8 games, 2024
Adrian Gonzalez, 9 games, 2011
Manny Ramirez, 10 games, 2002
Ted Williams, 11 games, 1950
Ted Williams, 12 games, 1942— Red Sox Stats (@redsoxstats) April 27, 2024
No matter when this streak ends, Abreu could be in the Rookie of the Year conversation. His bat will need to continue to stay hot if he wants to force his way into that conversation.
The post Red Sox Rookie Sets Record for RBI in Consecutive Games appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.