The Boston Red Sox had one of the most exciting trade deadline showings in the league, but it included some delayed gratification moves. Former Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman has been on the injured list since his move up the East Coast, but that is set to change soon.
Rutschman has traveled with the Red Sox to Toronto for their upcoming series against the Blue Jays after completing his rehab assignment with the Worcester Red Sox, according to multiple sources including The Boston Globe (subscription required). Rutschman will work out with the Sox before the series opener and isn't expected to be activated until Tuesday.
Rutschman is the Sox's biggest trade deadline acquisition — it took a shocking three top-five prospects to land him — and the news of his impending activation is exciting. The catcher slot in Boston's lineup has been lacking offensive impact this season after Carlos Narváez regressed from last year's showing and Connor Wong remains inconsistent.
Rutschman has been on the IL with wrist inflammation since August 3. It's his third stint on the IL this season following earlier bouts with ankle inflammation and a concussion.
Adley Rutschman traveled with Red Sox to Toronto following short Triple-A rehab assignment, activation coming Tuesday
The catcher posted a two-game rehab stint in Triple-A before the Sox felt comfortable enough to bring him to Toronto. He logged one hit (a double), two walks, a strikeout, two runs and two RBI during his brief stint with the WooSox.
Rutschman is a switch-hitter who will bring Boston much-needed offensive impact from the right side of the plate as well as elite defense behind the dish. He batted .251/.331/.433 with 19 doubles, a triple and eight home runs over 67 games with the O's before the trade. He struck out 40 times (14.1 strikeout percentage, 88th percentile) and walked 30 (10.6 walk percentage, 68th percentile).
Part of the reason the Orioles might've been so willing to trade Rutschman is because their former top catching prospect Samuel Basallo has gotten the majority of the reps behind the plate this season. As the best defender and best hitting catcher on the Sox, Rutschman will likely get the majority of the innings behind the plate. He performs better offensively when he catches (.840 OPS over 49 games) than when he's the designated hitter (.470 OPS in 16 games).
Rutschman's Red Sox debut will complete Craig Breslow's trade deadline. Erik Miller and Eli White's impacts have been immediate and positive. Rutschman's offensive potential and the extremely high price it took to acquire him have fans extra hopeful that he'll fall into lockstep with the hottest team in sports.
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