4 Red Sox players who will pleasantly surprise Boston fans in 2024
The buzz surrounding the Boston Red Sox offseason has been overwhelmingly negative. Regardless of the talent the front office leaves on the market or the trades that didn't get made, the players on the team are still doing all they can to put out the best possible product for Red Sox Nation.
Boston may not compete for a playoff spot this season, but there are talented players on the roster looking to make their mark in a big way. From rookies to veteran sluggers to relievers in the starting rotation, a lot of Sox players have something to prove this year.
Every season has its bright spots. Sox fans everywhere saw Triston Casas' transformation and offensive impact last year, and his transition into a leader in the clubhouse is already happening. A lot of players have the potential to "Casas" themselves this year — a new season is another chance to make an impression. Some have had multiple seasons of work and haven't met expectations while others are brand new.
Boston fans are demanding. A few of these players have felt the eyes of Red Sox Nation burning into them before, and getting on the fans' and management's good side could be a must for them if they want to keep their spot on the roster. Here are some players we think will prove their worth this season.
4 Red Sox who will pleasantly surprise Boston fans in 2024
OF Masataka Yoshida
Masataka Yoshida arrived from Japan last season with the weight of the world's expectations on his shoulders — literally. Baseball fans across the globe saw Yoshida perform in the World Baseball Classic, and his showing was definitely noteworthy. The 30-year-old set a record for the most RBI in a single WBC tournament and blasted a three-run homer to send his team to the championship game, which he helped team Japan take from the United States.
Yoshida started slow in a Red Sox uniform and his offensive production stalled at the end of the season, too. But he still hit .289/.338/.445 and struck out less frequently than most, if not all of the other players on the roster. Baseball Savant ranks Yoshida in the 93rd percentile in K percentage, making him one of the better sets of eyes in the league.
There were a lot of barriers to Yoshida's production last year that don't exist or are not as prevalent this year. He entered the season tired from playing in the WBC and he's had a season of work at Fenway to get used to the Green Monster. And after hearing of the Sox's efforts to trade him this offseason, Yoshida has a lot to prove.
Get ready. He could come out swinging in his WBC form.