The emergence of Connor Wong has been one of the biggest — and best — surprises of the year for the Boston Red Sox.
The catcher has been a picture of consistency at the plate and he's brought a new level of athleticism behind it. Wong is slashing .330/.390/.480 with a .870 OPS, seven homers and 29 RBI through 57 games. He's been a huge part of Boston's recent climb up the standings and owns a 13-game hit streak before his short stint on the paternity list.
Wong is one of the fastest catchers in MLB and his athleticism translates well to each of his roles, although his defensive metrics have taken a hit since last season. But athleticism breeds versatility, which Wong is keen to embrace.
“I’ve pretty much played every position in my life,” Wong said to Chris Cotillo of MassLive. “I know it’s a different beast at this level but having that background gives me a little bit of confidence. . . I’m ready for anything at any time. I take pride in being athletic and being able to do different things.”
Red Sox believe Connor Wong can play multiple positions, especially after emergence of Kyle Teel
Wong shuffled around the diamond during his time in the minor leagues. He caught along with stints at second base, third base and designated hitter. The Red Sox have used Wong in the infield in tight moments this season, and his willingness to play the field could serve him well with a top catching prospect working his way up to the majors.
The Red Sox's No. 3 prospect Kyle Teel has posted an outstanding season for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, and a promotion to Worcester may be in his near future. His offensive stats rival Wong's breakout season metrics — he's slashing .311/.402/.484 with a .886 OPS with eight homers and 46 RBI through 56 games and is projected to reach MLB by 2025.
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With Teel's arrival so near, many Red Sox fans didn't expect Wong to stick with the club. But his dramatic offensive shift and athletic ability could afford him new opportunities with the club. If Wong continues to make a positive impact, Boston should keep him around.
Alex Cora and Jason Varitek have attested to Wong's motivation and abilities. He and Teel could become a deadly combination behind the plate for the Red Sox, especially if they opt to platoon the two backstops early in Teel's career.
But even if Teel takes a primary role as the Sox's catcher, Wong is ready for anything, and his coaches believe he has the skills and mindset to succeed.