Infielder (and outfielder-to-be?) Michael Chavis made a memorable first impression in 2019 after debuting with the Red Sox on April 20 as a second baseman, later to be moved primarily to first base. In his first 36 games with the big club, he homered 10 times and drove in 27 runs, finishing May with a .263/.357/.496/.853 line. That fast start earned him American League Rookie of the Month honors for May
Chavis’ arrival and fast start was fortuitous timing for the Red Sox. Steve Pearce, the 2018 World Series MVP counted on to platoon at first base with lefty-hitting Mitch Moreland, was lost to an injury for the last four months of the season, with Moreland missing about two overlapping months in the middle of the season, forcing a move of Chavis from second to first.
Subsequently, Chavis went from sensational rookie fill-in to the grind of full-time status. Eventually, opposing pitchers caught up with free-swinging Chavis’s breeze-producing bat. They started feeding him a steady diet of high-90’s fastballs up in (or above) the strike zone, serving as Chavis’s kryptonite.
An AC joint sprain in his left shoulder sent Chavis to the injured list on Aug. 12, where he stayed. That ended his 2019 season, albeit with an impressive 18 home runs and 58 runs batted in just 347 at-bats to go with a .254/.322/.444/.766 line. However, his 127 strikeouts (one every 2.73 at-bats) stuck out as a negative.
Chavis is expected to be fully recovered to participate in spring training and could compete with rookie Bobby Dalbec for the first baseman’s role. He could also end up at second base or even in left field should Mookie Betts and/or Jackie Bradley Jr. get traded. Finding a regular spot for Chavis in the lineup has to be high on the list of Manager Alex Cora’s 2020 priorities.
If Chavis can get his K’s down to a reasonable level (something in the 150 range over a full season would be a noticeable improvement) and stay healthy, he would be a strong candidate to move into the No. 5 or No. 6 spot. That would give the batting order the added length needed to help compensate for the possible loss of leadoff hitter Betts.