Marcelo Mayer made the Boston Red Sox's Opening Day roster — as many fans expected he would — but he couldn't command the starting job in their Opening Day game. Mayer proved that Alex Cora should've trusted him with the start after he entered the game as a pinch-runner and scored two of their three runs.
Mayer also had a double in the Sox's second game against the Cincinnati Reds. He showcased the offense Cora hoped to see from him, but he's a top prospect and people expected him to meet the moment. Another player's unexpected offense in the opening series shocked fans.
Connor Wong has two hits and one strikeout in his two games so far this season, and Red Sox fans weren't shy about their surprise. One of his two hits was a double and he hit only eight of them over 63 games last season, his only extra base hits of the year.
Wong slashed just .190/.262/.238 with seven RBI last season, an atrocious stat line that caused the Red Sox to look into the catcher market over the winter. Boston was linked to J. T. Realmuto and Victor Caratini over the offseason.
Connor Wong got his first extra base hit of the year out of the way early and has Red Sox fans hoping for a rebound season
It's still far too early in the season to jump to conclusions about how Wong will perform all year, but it's always a good sign to see players getting to work early. The year before his underwhelming 2025 season (through much of which he may have been injured), Wong was a key part of Boston's offense. He clocked a career-best .280/.333/.425 with a .758 OPS with 24 doubles, a triple, 13 homers and 52 RBI over 126 games.
Wong's early work could signal a return to his 2024 form, which the Red Sox might desperately need. Boston's 2025 issues with advancing runners resurfaced in its first series of the year, and while that also has time to change, an offensively productive Wong helps make its lineup longer and its catching tandem better. Narváez will be and should be the primary catcher, but Wong could stand to take some pressure and playing time off his back.
Wong will hardly be a savior of these Red Sox at the plate. But any bats that produce to the best of their ability will help, especially if Boston is looking at a replay of last season, as far as strikeout numbers are concerned.