Rob Refsnyder shattered expectations in his first stint with the Red Sox
Rob Refsnyder shattered expectations in his first stint with the Red Sox
On Monday afternoon, the Red Sox placed Rob Refsnyder on the injured list ending his season. While the 2022 campaign was full of disappointment for Boston, the 31-year-old was a bright spot. He entered the season as a depth piece but became more than that as the season progressed.
In 57 games, the former fifth-round pick was a spark plug off the bench. Refsnyder set career highs in home runs with six and runs batted in with 21. He was an on-base machine and showed excellent plate discipline.
Additionally, the University of Arizona product only committed two errors. Earlier in the season, he had one of the Red Sox’s best defensive plays with a diving catch against the Mariners. At times, Refsnyder was a human highlight reel in the outfield. It was a welcoming sign for the Red Sox as, defensively, they were far from the best in the majors.
Although the expectations were not high for the former Yankees top prospect entering the season, he quickly became a fan favorite. His 17 extra-base hits nearly doubled his total from 2021, and he ended the year with a career-high .307 batting average. Due to his impressive year at the plate, he will be a popular name on the free agent market. However, a reunion with the Red Sox is not out of the question.
If the Red Sox were to re-sign Refsynder, he could serve as a fourth outfielder in 2023. He proved to be someone they could rely on, regardless of the situation. The Seoul native also provides versatility as he has the ability to play all three outfield positions. His impact has not been lost on Alex Cora.
“He’s a guy we definitely can rely on,” Cora said. “We recognized it in spring training. I remember we were talking (during) the lockout and all that. We had our meetings with the information department. And the ability to impact the baseball was there, and the projections. Defensively solid. It’s a matter of staying healthy.”
While Refsnyder will have plenty of suitors, he is highly regarded in Boston. He will be a player to keep an eye on over the next few months, as in 2022, he showed the impact he can make when healthy.
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