Alex Cora Reportedly Has Wilyer Abreu Prediction That Will Have Red Sox Fans Excited
Alex Cora Reportedly Has Wilyer Abreu Prediction That Will Have Red Sox Fans Excited originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Boston Red Sox have high expectations going into next season with an improved pitching staff and an array of young stars.
Among the Red Sox's young stars is Wilyer Abreu, who Alex Cora has noted will be the everyday right fielder, getting starts against left-handed pitchers as well. Abreu hit two big home runs in the World Baseball Classic to highlight a stellar tournament for himself. However, Cora thinks he will have a monster season in the big leagues.
On Wednesday's “Baseball Tonight Podcast” episode , ESPN's Tim Kurkjian revealed in a conversation with Cora that the Red Sox manager believes Abreu will surpass 30 home runs this season. “I talked to Alex this spring for an extended time, and we’re just talking about his team, and he just volunteers: ‘Well, Abreu is going to hit 30 homers this year. ’ Like this is a given,” Kurkjian said on Wednesday.
“I mean, you look at how much better he’s gotten each year. " Abreu hit 22 home runs last season, playing in just 115 games. Now he is slated to start even against lefties, getting even more at-bats.
Abreu clearly has the power to contribute to the offense, and a 30-homer season could go a long way. Red Sox fans wanted the team to add a big power bat this offseason. The Red Sox may not have gotten Pete Alonso, but Willson Contreras brings power.