Red Sox top-30 prospect rankings after the 2018 season

1. Michael Chavis

There was a time where I thought Michael Chavis would be dethroned from this spot. I was a fool – plain and simple. That’s not a knock on anyone else in the system, it’s just simply that there’s nothing this guy can’t do.

Chavis is at the top of the loaded third base prospect list in the system … as well as the first base list. This year he appeared at first base in 12 games. For what it’s worth, Chavis started his career as a shortstop, but the realistic positions for him are first and third at this point.

Let’s narrow that down again though. While first base is an option – stick to third base. You’re wasting a cannon of an arm if you move him. With that being said, Rafael Devers is creating a little bit of a problem with keeping Chavis at third.

For now, there’s no need to worry about that. There are plenty of ways the Red Sox could find a way to incorporate both into the lineup.

Besides the fantastic arm, Chavis is all-around solid at third. I don’t think he’ll win any Gold Gloves but he gets the job done and should be reliable.

Offensively, Chavis was expected to be a monster at the plate. Things started off slow and some injuries hampered that even more. 2017 was a breakout year for him though and 2018 followed suit.

In 2017 the right-handed hitter posted career-highs in virtually every category while appearing in 126 games. His entire slash line (.282/.347/.563) broke personal records as did his 35 doubles and 31 home runs. Keeping up the pace were career-bests in RBI (94) and runs scored (89).

2018 saw him appear in just 46 games though (mainly due to a suspension). In that time he showed little rust, marking new career-highs in average (.298) and OBP (.381) while posting a .538 slugging percentage. He also managed 14 doubles and nine home runs in 171 at-bats and the run production was still fantastic (27 RBI and 36 runs scored).

The 23-year-old is starting to look like someone that will hit for major power (30-plus home runs) without sacrificing his average. Hitting at a .280 clip seems like a reasonable expectation at this point. Meanwhile, that run production is only getting matched by Dalbec in the system.

Listed at 5’10, 216 lbs Chavis is an absolute unit. This is 100% a compliment too. Chavis is in no way, shape or form out of shape. That’s a great 216 with more than enough muscle to help him ruin a pitcher’s night with one swing of the bat.

Barring something unexpected, Chavis will be with the Red Sox at some point in 2019.

There are a lot of great prospects in the Red Sox system, but Chavis stands above the rest. The kid has “superstar” written all over him.