Tommy Pham has benefited from a change of scenery with the Red Sox
Tommy Pham is making a good first impression with the Red Sox
Photo Credit: HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 02: Tommy Pham #22 of the Boston Red Sox scores in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on August 02, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)Getty Images
When the Red Sox traded for Tommy Pham, it was not seen as a major move. Before the trade, Pham had posted a .238 batting average in 98 games for the Reds. The veteran was also coming off a July in which he hit .204. While he hasn’t lit the world on fire in his brief tenure in Boston, Pham is making an impact.
Through his first seven games in a Red Sox uniform, Pham has four runs batted in and five extra-base hits. While he has struck out 12 times, the Las Vegas native already has two multi-hit games. With the Red Sox in need of a spark, Pham's power has returned over the last week.
Additionally, Pham has seen an uptick in production with a change in scenery. In his last month with the Reds, the former 16th-round-pick did not hit a home run, and he only had six runs batted in. He has nearly matched his RBI in the last 48 hours with 20 games still left on the schedule this month.
As the Red Sox look towards 2023, Pham is an intriguing case. He has a mutual option for next year and could serve as a veteran fourth outfielder. Pham has averages 13 home runs a season and would give Boston a solid option off the bench. However, that decision will hinge on what happens over the next few weeks.
Furthermore, assuming Pham continues his recent play, it becomes a much easier decision for Boston. In his Fenway Park debut, the former Red had two extra-base hits, including his 13th home run of the year, which traveled 416 feet. He is only hitting .233 with the Red Sox, but he is solid defensively with a career .989 fielding percentage.
Although Pham's time in a Red Sox uniform has only spanned 32 at-bats, the early return has been encouraging. With an offseason full of question marks on the horizon, the Red Sox's newest outfielder is making a case to be on the roster next season.
If Pham can cut down on the strikeouts and continue to show power, he will be a productive piece on this roster.
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