5 Boston Red Sox players who have the most to prove in 2022

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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 05: Bobby Dalbec #29 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after beating the New York Yankees 6-2 in the American League Wild Card game at Fenway Park on October 05, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Red Sox first baseman Bobby Dalbec

It’s a testament to Bobby Dalbec‘s resilience and ability to make adjustments that he enters 2022 with a starting spot in the Red Sox lineup.

Through June 8, Dalbec was slashing just .185/.237/.358 with only six home runs while striking out in whopping 47.4% of plate appearances. With the trade deadline approaching, many Red Sox fans were clamoring for a replacement at first base and Dalbec to go back to the minors for more development.

Like a switch, Dalbec not only played his way back into an everyday role, but he became one of the best first baseman in baseball. From June 10 on, Dalbec posted a .275/.336/.580 slash line with 19 home runs and 54 RBI. Though he was pushed out of the starting lineup in the postseason with the acquisition of Kyle Schwarber, Dalbec proved he could hit at the big-league level.

That doesn’t mean the pressure is off Dalbec, however. Top prospect Triston Casas is coming off another solid minor league season that saw him finish in Triple-A. Casas has already shown much more plate discipline and a better all-around feel for hitting than Dalbec. With the promising youngster so close to the majors, Dalbec cannot afford to get off to another ice-cold start.

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