Bobby Dalbec's 2020 run as a standout Boston Red Sox rookie feels like an eternity ago. Because it was. Empty crowds. Cut-outs in the Fenway seats. Loud ping-ponging of bouncing baseballs through the cavernous expanse. Dalbec, who posted a 149 OPS+ during that shortened season, was never able to recapture the magic in Boston — and departing the system didn't help either, as evidenced by his recent DFA at the hands of the lowly Chicago White Sox.
Now, though, Dalbec will get another chance to mash in the minors, something he's been quite good at in recent years, even as he struggled to find a foothold at the MLB level.
Dalbec elected free agency after going 4-for-18 in a short stretch with the White Sox, then losing his grip on a roster spot. He did cameo at Fenway Park during that ChiSox tenure, replacing another ex-Red Sox - Chase Meidroth - when Chicago came to visit Dalbec's former team. When it came time for infielder Josh Rojas to return from the injured list, though, Dalbec was the odd man out.
His next stop? Milwaukee. Dalbec was signed to a minor-league deal by the NL Central-contending Brew Crew, where he'll report to Triple-A Nashville.
Brewers Sign Bobby Dalbec To Minors Deal https://t.co/S44GzQ27Rm pic.twitter.com/YmpWTJJayx
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) May 10, 2025
Former Red Sox fan favorite Bobby Dalbec heads to Milwaukee Brewers after losing job with White Sox
The Brewers aren't exactly short on slugging first basemen at the MLB level, and just pulled the plug on the Vinny Capra experience after paving a path for the journeyman's rise to the Opening Day roster. The bloated Rhys Hoskins deal has him atop the Brewers' depth chart, followed closely behind by Jake Bauers. Milwaukee does a good job rotating reps across the infield and outfield, but it's still a tough picture for Dalbec to crack unless an injury frees some space.
Thus far in 2025, the 29-year-old Dalbec is hitting a robust .326 with a 1.050 OPS and four homers in his first 46 Triple-A at-bats this season. That variety of familiar surge hasn't been enough to earn him a significant MLB leash in previous years, but perhaps this time's the charm in Milwaukee, a city that loves uncovering other peoples' gems.
Mashing in the minors is nothing new for Dalbec, though; he owns a career .876 OPS below the surface. The issue has always been the MLB translation.