WooSox first baseman Niko Kavadas drives in career-high seven runs
WooSox first baseman Niko Kavadas has a mammoth night at the plate on Friday night.
Kavadas drove in seven runs in the WooSox’ 12 runs while going 3-for-5 in the process. The left-handed slugger crushed a 428-foot, three-run homer in the third inning. His blast came off the bat at 107 mph and was his 15th of the season. The other runs Kavadas drove in were a pair of two-RBI singles.
The seven RBI in the game were a career high for Kavadas and set a new WooSox club record. It’s the most runs driven in a single game for a Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate since Will Middlebrooks knocked in eight runs on July 3, 2013 for the PawSox.
“I just try to hit the ball hard, and with runners in scoring position, nothing changes; you just try to deliver for the boys,” Kavadas told NESN reporter Laura Stickells following the game.
The 25-year-old is putting together a solid season in the middle of the WooSox lineup. Kavadas is slashing .286/.429/.547/.976 with 16 doubles, 15 homers, 59 RBI, 52 walks, and 48 runs in 234 at-bats.
With two games left this weekend before the All-Star break, Kavadas is third in the International League with a .976 OPS, fourth with a .429 OBP, and third in RBI with 59, trailing Memphis’ Luken Baker by four.
Kavada's power is impressive, and his advanced statistics at the plate are eye-popping. He's posted a .426 BABIP and a 153 wRC+; it’s not enough yet to earn the Notre Dame alum a promotion to the Red Sox. He’s mashed right-handed pitching this season, hitting .304 in 171 at-bats and having a .429 slugging percentage. His sample size against left-handed pitching is smaller, hitting .238 in 63 at-bats.
