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Takeaways from the first week of Red Sox Spring training

By Daniel Fox

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 10: Nick Pivetta #37 of the Boston Red Sox reacts during the twelfth inning of game three of the 2021 American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on October 10, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 10: Nick Pivetta #37 of the Boston Red Sox reacts during the twelfth inning of game three of the 2021 American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on October 10, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 03: Bobby Dalbec #29 of the Boston Red Sox bats against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on October 03, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 03: Bobby Dalbec #29 of the Boston Red Sox bats against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on October 03, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

Red Sox 1B Bobby Dalbec looks primed for a monster season

One of the most underrated storylines for the 2021 Red Sox was the in-season rebound of Bobby Dalbec. After slashing just .185/.237/.358 through June 8 and appearing on the cusp of a demotion, Dalbec suddenly became one of the best first basemen in baseball, posting a .275/.336/.580 the rest of the way. His month of August particularly showed his massive potential, as he won AL Rookie of the Month by slashing .339/.431/774 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs.

Despite his remarkable turnaround, there are still gains to be made in Dalbec’s game. His full-season on-base percentage was below .300, and he led the team in strikeouts despite having just the seventh-most plate appearances. There is also plenty of room to grow against right handers (.212/.278.458). Dalbec’s monster power will always find him a place on an MLB roster, but making the aforementioned improvements could make him an All-Star caliber player.

If the first week of spring is any indication, Dalbec is starting to take steps towards being that player. He has shown a refined two-strike approach, cutting down on his big leg kick that he uses early in counts. The result has been a red-hot start this spring, totaling three extra-base hits in his first twelve at-bats. Two of those hits came against right-handed pitching, including a two-run shot off Twins righty Cole Sands on a fastball up in the zone, a pitch he struggled mightily with last year. It is obviously way too early to be making grand proclamations, but there is a lot to like about Dalbec’s early performance.

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