Red Sox News: Bobby Dalbec has his crosshairs on 40-man roster
The Boston Red Sox have some gaps in their lineup and one of their top prospects has his crosshairs set on making the 40-man roster for 2020.
One of the top prospects in the Red Sox system is ready to make the jump to the big leagues. With a strong chance to make the 40-man roster out of Spring Training, Bobby Dalbec has his crosshairs focused. The first baseman has a clear sight of the vacant position with only one man standing in his way.
This spring Red Sox Nation will get to witness one hell of a positional battle as Dalbec and Michael Chavis go toe-to-toe to become Boston’s new first baseman. Chavis has the big league experience after 2019 but Dalbec isn’t far behind him and is more than capable of making the next step in his career. With Chavis also having aspirations at second base, Dalbec may have a stronger chance of claiming the prize.
The infielder has had some stints with the big club, the most recent coming back in September. He was never on the roster but he did get some valuable time with the squad and got to get solid reps in. During that time he got a taste of life with the Red Sox and it lit a fire under him to keep pushing to make the squad this spring.
Dalbec spoke about his goals for 2020 and he didn’t mince any words on what he wants. It’s clear that he’s taking his invitation to Spring Training very seriously and wants to use it to catapult to the Red Sox 40-man roster.
“Definitely. I just think there’s different ways to go about that goal, I guess,” Dalbec said Thursday at Fenway Park. “Mine is just to do my thing. Control what I control and not let a bunch of other stuff get in the way.”
This winter hasn’t been the kindest to the Red Sox and with some free agency turnover in the ranks, there isn’t a better time to strike for Dalbec. If things work out as they may then we could be seeing both Chavis and Dalbec joining Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers in the infield. That’s one hell of a core-four for the next manager and I wouldn’t want to run into them on a given night.
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The first baseman spent most of his 2019 with the Portland Sea Dogs before being promoted to the Pawtucket Red Sox. Through 135 games he’d post a .239/.356/.460/.816 line with 27 homes, 73 RBI, and 19 doubles. If he can translate that to the major league level then there’s a solid chance he could be holding down first base for the foreseeable future.
As it stands right now, Bobby is ranked #83 in the Top 100 Prospects for 2019. Not a bad place to find yourself considering the amount of talent located in the farm systems around the league. Dalbec knows where he stands, at least in his mind, as far as his career is concerned and where he wants to be as this new season begins.
“It felt attainable when I was here in September,” Dalbec said. “I felt like I belong. But obviously I’ve got a lot to prove. So I’m just going to have fun.”
I recently wrote about the prospect of Chavis making his move to the everyday roster and the benefits it would offer him. Dalbec is no different as with anything in this world the more you do something the better your odds are at excelling at it.
If he can earn that vacant first baseman spot then he’ll be figured into the lineup damn near every day. This’ll allow him to continue his career ascent and find a rhythm with his play that will make him a true asset to the Red Sox.
“I feel really comfortable,” Dalbec said about first base. “Just getting consistent work in there every day.”
Next. Michael Chavis looking to become versatile for 2020. dark
The Red Sox are in the middle of some serious turnover not only on the field but off. With several spots needing bodies they need to look at anyone and everyone they have in camp this spring. Bobby Dalbec has all the tools necessary to excel in the Major League and he’ll get his chance to prove it down in Fort Myers.