Boston Red Sox Minors: 2019 will be the year of Bobby Dalbec

The Boston Red Sox have plenty of prospects that the following season could be good too. Just exactly who will make it their year in 2019 though?

Last season was great for plenty of individuals. This is a new year though. Who will make 2019 the year of them? Let’s take a look at a Boston Red Sox prospect who has a chance to do just that.

2018 was the year that established Bobby Dalbec as the prospect with the most raw power that the Red Sox have. Due to his ridiculous power, it’s easy to overlook just how good he is in other parts of the game as well.

In 2018, Dalbec smoked 35 doubles and three triples, as well as a ridiculous 32 home runs. Obviously the pop is the most enticing part of his game. It’s not the only though. Although strikeouts were a problem, the right-handed hitter got on-base at a solid .361 clip last season. He’s also lethal with runners in scoring position.

Last season, Dalbec hit .313 (42-for-134) between Advanced-A and Double-A with runners in scoring position. The combination of clutch-hitting and power led to the 23-year-old driving in 109 runs in 129 games.

The third baseman is also a solid defender with a plus-plus arm. At the moment he wouldn’t be a Gold Glove winner in the Majors, but has potential to be great at the position.

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Third base also just so happens to be one of the weak points of the Red Sox. Rafael Devers is extremely young and talented. He’s also had major issues defensively. This could make Boston consider moving him to first (unlikely) or having him as the designated hitter in the future.

This is promising for Dalbec, as there’s only one third baseman ahead of him in the Minors right now. That happens to be Boston’s number one prospect Michael Chavis. Chavis could also potentially move to first. Either way, he’ll see the Majors this year.

With that in mind, Dalbec’s almost guaranteed at least a look in Triple-A. Pending on his play, the Majors are definitely a possibility as well.

2018 saw Dalbec start the year at a level higher than he’d ever been to – Advanced-A. It ended with him even higher in Double-A. Despite stronger competition, Dalbec thrived. 2019 will see him get another crack at Double-A and his first taste of Triple-A.

Having already experienced Double-A last season, the expectation should be improvements from Dalbec. Can he cut down on the strikeout rate? Are even more home runs in his future?

The good news is that 2018 truly was a breakout year for the prospect. He found his true power swing and is now on the map of every Red Sox fan. Now that he’s in the spotlight and already has his breakthrough out of the way, it’s time to just hit.

Bobby Dalbec is one of the Boston Red Sox best prospects. Thanks to a breakout year in 2018 and promotions being imminent in 2019, this looks to be his year.