The Red Sox add an intriguing prospect in Christian Vazquez trade
Enmanuel Valdez brings a potent bat to the Red Sox system
With the trade deadline less than 24 hours away, the Red Sox were busy on Monday night. Boston dealt Christian Vazquez to the Astros for prospects Enmanuel Valdez and Wilyer Abreu. While they both have potential, Enmanuel Vazquez was Houston’s 12th best prospect, according to Baseball America.
In 82 games this year, Valdez is having the best season of his professional career. While splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A, Valdez is hitting .327 with 77 runs batted in. The Dominican native has been a source of power with 48 extra-base hits, the second highest total of his career.
Additionally, Valdez has been on the rise since the season began. He was the Texas League Player of the Month for May and has a career-high 1.016 OPS in 2022. Valdez could be an impact piece down the line for a Red Sox team looking to add more young talent.
While Valdez has excelled at the plate, his defense still needs work. He has spent time in the outfield, second base, and third base in the minors. He has not committed an error in the outfield this season compared to 21 in the infield. However, his ability to play multiple positions will be valuable to the Red Sox.
Despite his success with the bat, Valdez will most likely start his Red Sox tenure in the minors. He has become a complete hitter this year at makes contact at an above-average rate. Valdez is also a tough out and can punish mistakes.
As the Red Sox continue to retool their roster for 2023 and beyond, Valdez will be a prospect to keep an eye on. He will be rule five draft eligible in the offseason, and the Red Sox will have to add him to the 40-man roster. If he can continue hitting like he has this season, that will be no issue.
Although Christian Vazquez had an unforgettable run in Boston, the Red Sox got a prospect that is showing signs of being a difference maker offensively.
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