Resurgence of the Red Sox outfield: How Alex Verdugo, Masataka Yoshida, and Jarren Duran are powering Boston’s success
After making the American League Championship Series in 2021, the Boston Red Sox were one of the most disappointing teams in Major League Baseball last year. The Red Sox finished 78-84 in 2022, and after an offseason in which Xander Bogaerts, J.D. Martinez and Nathan Eovaldi departed in free agency, many Red Sox fans didn’t feel a sense of hope for 2023.
However, even in the loaded American League East, the Red Sox have started this season strong with a 26-22 record.
One of the biggest reasons the Boston Red Sox have gotten off to a strong start and exceeded industry expectations has been their outfield play.
Last season, Red Sox outfielders combined for 1.6 FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement (fWAR), the fourth-lowest in Major League Baseball. This season, though, Boston’s outfielders have helped anchor the Red Sox lineup, combining for 5.5 fWAR, the second most in MLB.
Here’s a look into how the Red Sox outfield has transformed from one of the worst position groups to one of the best in one season.
Alex Verdugo
2023 stats: 47 G, .290/.366/.464 (126 wRC+), 3 OAA, 1.3 BsR, 1.6 fWAR
When the Red Sox traded Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Alex Verdugo was the centerpiece of the return. While Verdugo was very good in the shortened 2020 season, he regressed offensively and defensively in 2021, then took another step backward in both departments in 2022.
In 2020, Verdugo hit .308/.367/.478 (125 wRC+) with 2 Outs Above Average defensively but, in 2022, he hit .280/.328/.405 (103 wRC+) with -5 Outs Above Average. Verdugo’s slightly above-average offense and poor defense led to him accumulating 1.2 fWAR, the lowest of his career (minimum 50 games played).
However, despite only playing 47 games so far in 2023, Verdugo has already surpassed his fWAR total from a year ago, leading Red Sox outfielders with 1.6. Verdugo has consistently hit for a high average, which has kept him above league average at the plate, but his power has been limited.
In 2023, though, Verdugo’s .175 ISO is the second-highest of his career and his .464 SLG is the third-best of his career. With career highs in Barrel% and FB%, while sporting a career low in GB%, Verdugo is having a resurgent power season. Combined with his elite contact% (96th percentile) and plate discipline (91st percentile K%, 50th percentile BB%), Verdugo is on pace to have his best offensive season.
Additionally, with his switch from left field to right field, Verdugo has improved drastically defensively. From 2021-2022 primarily as a left fielder, Verdugo accumulated -4 Defensive Runs Saved and -11 Outs Above Average. Now, exclusively as a right fielder, Verdugo has accumulated 4 Defensive Runs Saved and 3 Outs Above Average.