Red Sox second baseman Michael Chavis hits historic 10th home run
By Sean Penney
Boston Red Sox second baseman Michael Chavis hit a game-winning home run against the Toronto Blue Jays that holds a far greater historical significance.
It would be an egregious understatement to say that Michael Chavis is off to a good start to his career with the Boston Red Sox. The production from the top prospect in the organization is venturing into historically great territory.
Chavis delivered his 10th home run of the season Wednesday night, a solo blast in the 13th inning that proved to be the game-winner in Toronto. This was the 28th game at the big league level for the rookie, making Chavis the fastest second baseman in MLB history to reach 10 career home runs.
New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres held the previous record, set last season when he tallied 10 homers in his first 36 games.
Michael Chavis of the @RedSox hit his 10th career HR tonight in his 28th career game.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) May 23, 2019
That's the fastest any 2nd baseman in MLB history has reached 10 career HR (based on most played position up to that point), breaking the record held by Gleyber Torres (36 games).#DirtyWater
Granted, only seven of Chavis’ home runs have come as a second baseman but this milestone is based on the position that the player has spent the majority of his time on the field. The natural third baseman has been learning second base on the fly, in part due to injuries to Dustin Pedroia and Brock Holt. With Rafael Devers enjoying a breakout year at the hot corner, Boston has been forced to find other ways to fit Chavis in the lineup. Most of his playing time has come at second base but he’s spent at least parts of a few games at first and third.
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His latest home run also puts Chavis in the elite territory from a franchise history perspective. The 10 career home runs he tallied in 28 games makes Chavis the second-fastest Red Sox hitter to reach that total, trailing only George Scott (10 home runs in 21 games back in 1966).
Chavis is the third-fastest hitter in franchise history to record 25 career RBI. Scott reached that total in his first 26 career games while Ted Williams recorded his 25th RBI in his 27th career game in 1939.
The back-and-forth affair with the Blue Jays turned into a home run derby late in the game. Devers tacked on an insurance run with a solo shot in the 8th inning but Justin Smoak cut the lead down to one in the bottom of the inning and the Jays would tie it up in the ninth. Mookie Betts gave the lead back to Boston with a homer in the 12th, only for Rowdy Tellez to even the score again with one of his own. It was only fitting that the game was won by another home run.
FOR THE WIN! pic.twitter.com/LDmyNOa3cM
— Red Sox (@RedSox) May 23, 2019
Chavis has had quite the flare for the dramatic in his young career. A pinch-hit double in his first career plate appearance against the Tampa Bay Rays put the winning run in scoring position. He added his first career walk-off hit against the Colorado Rockies last week. Now his extra-inning home run gave the Red Sox another win while cementing an impressive milestone for Chavis.
Next. Jackie Bradley showing signs of life. dark
The Ice Horse has quickly established himself as a fan favorite in Boston with the torrid start to his career and he shows no signs of slowing down. The rookie isn’t done mashing home runs and may not be done setting records along the way.