Red Sox should consider free agent outfielder Ben Revere

Ben Revere Honorable Recognition

Revere has landed on the Leaders, Awards, and Honors board numerous times. He won the Rookie of the Month Award in June 2011, was fifth in the NL for Batting Average in 2014, in 2017 he was marked fifth for Double Plays Turned as a left-fielder in the AL, in 2012 he was ranked fifth for Double Plays Turned as a right-fielder in the AL. He’s currently 16th for the active leaders’ board for Double Plays Turned as a center-fielder, 20th for active players for his Stolen Base Percentage, and he’s 15th for active leaders in Stolen Bases.

Revere has had two seasons in the top 10 for Stolen Base Percentage, five seasons in the top 10 for number of Stolen Bases, three seasons in the top 10 for Singles, four seasons in the top 10 for Triples, and two seasons in the top 10 for Hits.

Negative Recognition

Revy is ranked 25th for active players in Caught Stealing, he’s 18th for active players in Committing Errors as center-fielders, and his Career Fielding Percentage as an outfielder is ranked 85th. He’s had two seasons ranked in the top ten for being caught stealing bases and three seasons in the top ten for at-bats per strikeouts.

Ben Revere Highlights

On July 1st, 2016, the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes documented Revere’s walk-off double with the Nationals. The Nationals and the Braves were battling a long, tough match that finally concluded after 14 innings. Both teams had been scoreless since the sixth inning of the game. The game occurred during an offensive struggle for Revere, while he was recovering from an injury.

On August 20th, 2016, MLB’s Bill Ladson wrote an article about a remarkable home-run snagging catch made by Revere in the bottom of the fourth inning during a Nationals vs Braves game. The catch robbed Freddie Freeman of what would have been his 25th homer. Revy, playing center field at the time, made the spectacular catch while crashing into the wall. Statcast fielding metrics of the catch recorded Revere’s first step occurring 0.43 seconds after contact was made with the ball, covering a distance of 116.9 feet, having a max speed of 19.7 mph, and recording a 97.5 pct route efficiency.

MLB’s Gregor Chrisholm wrote an article about the impressive catch made by Revere on August 27th, 2015. The catch occurred in the third inning, during a 2-2 game in which the Jays were facing the Rangers. Revere’s striking catch prevented Delino DeShields extra bases. Statcast recorded Revy’s first step occurring 0.40 seconds after contact was made, covering a distance of 75.3 feet, having max speed of 15 mph, with a route efficiency of 95.5 pct.

MLB’s Jordan Bastian recants a stunning catch made by Revere in 2015 during Game 6 of the ALCS against the Kansas City Royals. Salvador Perez‘s hit was stomped cold in its tracks when Revere took it away with a jumping catch into the wall. The catch occurred during the seventh inning of the game. Statcast recorded his first step occurring 0.44 seconds after contact, covering 77 feet, maintaining max speed of 17.1 mph, with route efficiency of 93.1 pct.

In April of 2013, while playing for the Phillies, Revere gained notable attention for a catch made while paying tribute to Boston. Revere made a diving catch that would have otherwise been a double for Reds Todd Frazier. Simultaneously, Jay Bruce, the player who was at first base was rounding second when he had to return to first. Revy was able to make the throw to first before Bruce could arrive. The Phillies wound up losing the game. However, Revere’s catch gained a standing ovation by the home team Reds fans. It was the message on Revere’s glove that increased attention to the play. He displayed the message “PRAY For Boston” on his glove in recognition of the tragic marathon incident.

Ben Revere’s StatCast Profile

MLB’s Andrew Simon breaks down Ben Revere’s Statcast profile.

“At the plate, the 27-year-old employs his speed, contact ability and grounder-heavy approach to make up for the absence of pop in his bat.”

When the article was written in 2016, Revere was recorded as seventh for lowest strikeout rate and fourth for lowest swinging-strike rate. In addition, during the 2015 season, Revere was recorded seventh for his line-drive rate, ninth for ground-balls, third for lowest fly-ball rate, and fourth for infield hits. Simon remarks that Revere’s style of contact allows him to then use his talent and speed to reach bases.

Revere isn’t known for his ability to draw walks; however, he doesn’t have an abnormally high strikeout rate. Simon attributes this as an increased willingness of pitchers to challenge him using the zone since they know that he isn’t a huge power threat.

 Salary

The outfielder has signed both major and minor league contracts. In 2017, he signed a one year $4 million contract with the LA Angels with incentives of $2.25 million. The amount fell from his previous contact with the Washington Nationals, where he gained $6.2 million. The Nationals acquired Revere through a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2018, he signed a minor-league deal with the Angels farm team, the Salt Lake Bees, for $100,000. After an early-season injury placed him on the disabled list with a left foot fracture, Revere was released by the team on July 26, 2018.

Why Boston Should Sign Revere

Revere has struggled throughout his career in the MLB to stay consistent and healthy. Revere will never be a player known for his power. With that being said, Revere will put the ball in play, get on base, and use his speed to get into pitchers’ minds by threatening to steal bases. Revere doesn’t have the strongest of arms, but his speed gives him the range and capability to make noticeably good catches.

Revere is seen as being goofy, often smiling and having fun while he’s on the field. He’s funny and likable during interviews with the press. During interviews, he often references plays or personalities of teammates in a very honest and positive manner, giving fans an inside view.

Revere is a smaller player, he’s faced having a chip on his shoulders. He’s bounced around from teams.

Revy is an older player, but he’s likely to sign a low-cost deal. He could fit in well as a backup player for the Red Sox. He’s capable of being a utility outfielder. With his speed, ability to steal bases, and defensive abilities he would mesh into the system of the Red Sox. As a result of his recent injuries and struggles, there’s unlikely to be heavy competition for Revere, making him a low-cost risk.