Red Sox: Top Prospect Michael Chavis Promoted to the Active Roster

The #1 prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization was officially brought up to the major league roster earlier today, and Michael Chavis could make his debut sometime soon.

Earlier today, Michael Chavis was called up to the major league roster by the Boston Red Sox to fill in a roster spot with Eduardo Nunez and Dustin Pedroia heading to the injured list over the past couple days.

The number one prospect in the Red Sox organization, the 1B/3B has been hitting at a respectable .250/.354/.600 clip and has nine strikeouts over 48 plate appearances. While in AAA, Chavis has been seeing the ball well at the plate, walking 7 times in just 12 games. He has also been showing off his power, belting four home runs with six RBI through the start of the season in Pawtucket.

Drafted as a shortstop, Michael Chavis has been primarily used at 3B over his 6 professionals seasons, but has been seeing time at 1B since 2017. Chavis has also taken some reps at 2B this season in Pawtucket, which may be an indication of who will be taking over the position with Dustin Pedroia experiencing knee issues again and Nunez on the IL with back issues.

Chavis has had his share of controversy, as he was on the radar for potentially joining the Red Sox last year before he was suspended for 80 games due to a positive PED test. Even with his suspension, Chavis would still produce at both AA and AAA, slashing .298/.381/.538 with 9 home runs and and 52 strikeouts over 194 plate appearances.

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It is a bit puzzling as to where Chavis will fit in the lineup, considering 3B is currently occupied by Rafael Devers and 1B/DH is being platooned by Steve Pearce and Mitch Moreland. He only has 5 games of experience at 2B through his 6 years in the organization, and they have all come this season. This would be a tall task to ask a prospect to play in a position he does have experience in, and at the highest professional stage.

While this sample size is small and with Nunez on the IL, the only other option for 2B is Tzu-Wei Lin with Xander Bogaerts entrenched at SS.

The Boston Red Sox released their lineup prior to their game this evening against the Tampa Bay Rays, with Chavis not making the lineup this evening. His first game may come sometime later this weekend, unless he is called upon from the bench later tonight.

If I were a gambling man, I would say that Chavis may see some reps at DH but also at 2B, with an extended stay occurring if he starts playing well and Pedroia or Nunez stays on the IL for a long time (resulting in Lin being demoted instead of Chavis).