2023 Look Ahead: The New First Baseman of the Future
The Boston Red Sox first base situation has been a mess for the past couple seasons, a look to 2023 shows a lot clearer solution
The second article of the 2023 Look Ahead series will feature the first base situation. Part one covered what the catching situation might look like for next season, now we move on to a position that has been a sore subject for a couple of seasons now.
Bobby Dalbec hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire here in 2022. For a guy struggling to the keep the strikeouts down and the OPS up, time is ticking for Dalbec in Boston. We already saw this during the 2021 season, when the Red Sox acquired Kyle Schwarber at the deadline to play first base because of a lack of production at the position.
Franchy Cordero is an intriguing name for the Red Sox not only for the 2022 season, but also for next year as well. The guy hits the home run ball pretty well in some big spots.
A reason why Cordero has the leg up on Dalbec would be his position versatility. Cordero has seen time at first, left, and right field this season. The ability to play the outfield will give him the leg up, especially since right field has been one of the worst hitting positions for the Red Sox this season. Look for Cordero to be an intriguing bench bat for the 2023 season.
The first base prospect group has some talented names, and there a few rising stars that could make their way onto the Red Sox roster…..
Triston Casas
Lets start with the most obvious name out there who is very much in line to be a full time starter for the Red Sox in 2023. Although Casas has not played in a game since May 17th due to an ankle injury, he has started his rehab process and started hitting off a tee, according to MassLive. The Red Sox have mentioned they want to be patient with him upon his return, so signs point to him finishing the year in AAA before making the jump full time over the next offseason. The sooner Casas can make it back to live action, the sooner we will tell if this will be a true waiting game for 2023, or if he is a September call up when the rosters expand.
Devlin Granberg
Devlin Granberg is not a household name in the Red Sox farm system. In fact, most would say they have not heard of him and his quiet rise through the system. A sixth round pick back in 2018, Granberg has hit well and progressed through each minor league level as the next year began. Granberg was a semi-finalist for the Dick Howser Trophy in 2018, which is awarded to the top player in college baseball every season. Coming up in the system as an outfielder, Granberg has landed at first base for the WooSox and it is projecting to be a better defensive position for him. Already 26 years old, look for Granberg to crack the roster next season as a bench piece or injury replacement.
Big Joe Davis
Yeah, to be honest with you, Big Joe Davis has no shot at cracking the Red Sox roster in 2023. He is projected to start next season in Portland. It simply wouldn’t have been as good of a list without at least one Big Joe Davis highlight. You’re welcome.
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