4 Red Sox who proved their spring training stats were a fluke

Spring training records don’t matter nor do the numbers certain players post. In some instances they can determine whether a player wins or loses a roster spot. One look at how certain members of the Boston Red Sox did back in March, we can see how fluky those numbers can be.

These four Red Sox had completely different preseason performances than they did when the games started to count. Good and bad, these Red Sox have reminded everyone how meaningless the stat logs are when the games don’t matter.

1) Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas proved his hot spring was a fluke

Triston Casas went 19 for 57 in the spring, clobbered 4 home runs, and drove in 10. He finished the preseason with a .333/.381/.632 slash line. It looked like the Red Sox had their first baseman of the future and present.

Unfortunately, it hasn’t been the same in the regular season. Casas has had a rough go at it. While it’s still early in the year and his career, the slow start should have some wondering if he really is the long-term solution at first base.

Casas is now batting .215/.335/.395 in his first 64 games for Boston in 2023. One of the few positives are the 8 home runs he has hit. It’s third on the team only behind Rafael Devers and Justin Turner. Casas has at least managed to differentiate himself from Bobby Dalbec.

Red Sox fans who bought into Casas’ spring performance will continue to feel disappointed with how the regular season has gone. He looked masterful. He looked ready to become the guy. The verdict has yet to come in on him. There is still time to swing some jurors.

2) Red Sox outfielder Rob Refsnyder proved his cold spring was a fluke

Rob Refsnyder had a much different spring than Triston Casas. The Red Sox knew better than to rely on those numbers for what Refsnyder could give them. In 177 trips to the plate in 2022, Refsnyder hammered 6 home runs while slashing .307/.384/.497.

There may have been a few doubts about what he would do in year two in Boston. After all, Refsnyder has been a journeyman over the last few seasons. He was only 8 for 44 in the spring. His slash line was a measly .182/.345/.318.

Refsnyder has exceeded expectations and even earned himself an extension through at least 2024 with an option for 2025. How did he do this?

After 125 plate appearances, Refsnyder is hitting .280/.419/.380 with a homer and 21 RBI. He has become regular in left field while also giving the team innings at the other two outfield positions. In the absence of Adam Duvall, he has proven his value as a part-time player capable of stepping in and doing a little bit more.

It’s players like Refsnyder who tend to have one of those big moments when the lights shine brightest. Whether he ends up with a big catch against the Big Green Monster, a clutch hit down the stretch, or just happens to be the guy who beats out a potential inning end double play that begins a rally, Refsnyder seems to have the intangibles Red Sox fans love to see.

3) Red Sox pitcher Corey Kluber proved his hot spring was a fluke

A player whose spring we wish was no fluke, Corey Kluber looked really good for the Red Sox. He made 5 starts, went 2-2, and had a 3.24 ERA. His 15 strikeouts in 16.2 innings of work was good to see, however, a deeper dive into some of his spring numbers and there are warning signs.

Kluber had a 1.44 WHIP and a .262 batting average against him. Maybe he wasn’t so much good as he was lucky in the preseason. As every Red Sox fan has suffered through in the regular season, a not-so-good yet lucky Kluber would be a welcomed addition to this roster.

Kluber’s tenure with the Red Sox has been so bad he was actually removed from the rotation and shoved into the bullpen to wait out the season. The change was the only thing Boston could do to salvage anything from him.

Overall season numbers for Kluber include a 3-6 record and 6.75 ERA. Sadly, he hasn’t been any better pitching in relief. Through the first 5 appearances he has an 8.71 ERA. One particularly bad appearance against the Cleveland Guardians is where most of the damage there took place.

Don’t hold your breath for a Kluber turnaround in any sort of role. Prepare for him to finish out the year as a mop-up guy. And to think it started so well in the spring.