1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:04,840 Speaker 1: Welcome to bostin Teratre, Ladies and gentlemen. We're drawing closer 2 00:00:05,080 --> 00:00:08,039 Speaker 1: and closer to the twenty twenty sixth season. I'm very 3 00:00:08,119 --> 00:00:10,160 Speaker 1: excited about it. I know all of you at home 4 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:13,160 Speaker 1: are very excited about it as well. But for this episode, 5 00:00:13,400 --> 00:00:16,080 Speaker 1: going to preview a little bit more of this upcoming season. 6 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:18,880 Speaker 1: I'm going to talk about five players on the Red 7 00:00:18,920 --> 00:00:22,160 Speaker 1: Sox this year that I'm feeling pretty good about. 8 00:00:22,239 --> 00:00:22,479 Speaker 2: Now. 9 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:26,000 Speaker 1: I'm not going to talk about guys like Garrett Crochet, 10 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:27,200 Speaker 1: Roman Anthony. 11 00:00:27,400 --> 00:00:30,880 Speaker 2: Those are obvious guys I like for twenty twenty six. 12 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:33,800 Speaker 1: You know, you could even include Ranger Suarez in that mix, 13 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:36,720 Speaker 1: sign him to the big deal this past offseason. I mean, heck, 14 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:39,320 Speaker 1: you could even throw Trevor's story into that mix. Finally 15 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:42,120 Speaker 1: coming off a good season, Jared Duran, even though he 16 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:44,239 Speaker 1: was a bit up and down last year, he's been 17 00:00:44,280 --> 00:00:46,560 Speaker 1: one of the better players in baseball over the last 18 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:48,360 Speaker 1: couple of years. So I'm not going to talk about, 19 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:50,320 Speaker 1: you know, those kind of guys. I'm gonna look at 20 00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 1: guys maybe a tier below that I'm just feeling very 21 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 1: good about this year, you know, kind of weighing a 22 00:00:57,720 --> 00:01:00,520 Speaker 1: few different things looking at metrics, you know, and just 23 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:03,000 Speaker 1: overall feel if that makes sense. 24 00:01:03,080 --> 00:01:04,160 Speaker 2: So I'm gonna give you. 25 00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:08,280 Speaker 1: Five players that I'm feeling very confident about in twenty 26 00:01:08,319 --> 00:01:10,399 Speaker 1: twenty six before I get started, If you can hit 27 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:12,399 Speaker 1: that like button subscribe if you're new. We're trying to 28 00:01:12,400 --> 00:01:15,119 Speaker 1: get the seven k by opening day. We're running out 29 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:18,280 Speaker 1: of time, but we are within five hundred subscribers. I 30 00:01:18,319 --> 00:01:20,560 Speaker 1: think we could do it. So if you can help 31 00:01:20,640 --> 00:01:23,160 Speaker 1: us out, and if you are listening in podcast format, 32 00:01:23,319 --> 00:01:25,240 Speaker 1: leave us a five star review. It really helps us 33 00:01:25,319 --> 00:01:29,840 Speaker 1: out a lot. So let's get to number one on 34 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:32,000 Speaker 1: my list. That's a newcomer for the Red Sox this year, 35 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:34,840 Speaker 1: and that is Sonny Gray. 36 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:36,440 Speaker 2: Also, if you're. 37 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:39,000 Speaker 1: With me here on YouTube, how do you like the 38 00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 1: new look of everything right now? We've been doing some 39 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:45,800 Speaker 1: updates over here on Massa Territory. I know you can't 40 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:48,320 Speaker 1: see this if you're listening in podcasts, but if you 41 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:51,200 Speaker 1: are listening on a podcast, come on over to YouTube 42 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:53,520 Speaker 1: and come check it out. It's looking a little snazzy 43 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:56,840 Speaker 1: over here. I'm just saying so very excited we got 44 00:01:56,840 --> 00:01:59,720 Speaker 1: the post games coming up this year for Massa Territory. 45 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:03,640 Speaker 1: I'm very excited about all the new looks that were bringing. 46 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:03,840 Speaker 2: To the show. 47 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 1: Anyway, let's get to it here. So Sonny Gray I 48 00:02:06,440 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 1: got first on my list. 49 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:08,520 Speaker 2: Now. 50 00:02:08,760 --> 00:02:12,760 Speaker 1: I remember when the Red Sox first acquired Sonny Gray. 51 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 1: There was a lot of debate, Oh is he the 52 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:17,480 Speaker 1: number two? Oh man, there's no way he's the number two. 53 00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:19,560 Speaker 1: Then you had a good handful of people as well 54 00:02:19,639 --> 00:02:22,919 Speaker 1: saying no, you know, he's a pretty solid number two. Now, 55 00:02:22,960 --> 00:02:26,800 Speaker 1: when you asked my personal opinion, I said, as a 56 00:02:26,880 --> 00:02:30,200 Speaker 1: number two, I saw him more like, you know, like 57 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:32,480 Speaker 1: as a six out of ten, maybe a six and 58 00:02:32,480 --> 00:02:34,880 Speaker 1: a half out of ten, seven out of ten tops. 59 00:02:35,080 --> 00:02:37,040 Speaker 1: As a number two in the rotation, I thought it 60 00:02:37,080 --> 00:02:41,160 Speaker 1: was okay as a number two. But for me personally, 61 00:02:41,600 --> 00:02:44,320 Speaker 1: I think he was better as a number three in 62 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:47,000 Speaker 1: the rotation. As a three in the rotation, I was thinking, 63 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:49,040 Speaker 1: all right, maybe more like an eight or a nine 64 00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:50,960 Speaker 1: out of ten. I think he's easily one of the 65 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:54,360 Speaker 1: better threes in the rotation in all of Major League Baseball. 66 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:55,440 Speaker 2: You know, if you take a look. 67 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:59,160 Speaker 1: Here over the last few years or so, he ranks 68 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:01,840 Speaker 1: top ten. It comes to Fangraft wins of overplacement, has 69 00:03:01,880 --> 00:03:05,400 Speaker 1: a very good strikeout to walk ratio. Sonny Gray is 70 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:08,560 Speaker 1: an excellent picture to add to the rotation. No matter 71 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:10,959 Speaker 1: where you put him there, this guy's gonna be a bulldog. 72 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:13,919 Speaker 1: He's a competitor out there. And I think he's also 73 00:03:14,480 --> 00:03:16,920 Speaker 1: just a perfect fit at Femway Park. And if you 74 00:03:16,919 --> 00:03:19,000 Speaker 1: take a look at the batted ball profile, when it 75 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 1: comes to balls in the air, he gives up more. 76 00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:24,760 Speaker 2: Opposite field contact. 77 00:03:24,800 --> 00:03:27,200 Speaker 1: And at Famway Park, you got a couple of guys 78 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:29,560 Speaker 1: running around out there that just so happened to win 79 00:03:29,639 --> 00:03:32,840 Speaker 1: some Gold Gloffs last year. Sadam Rafaela, well, I think 80 00:03:32,840 --> 00:03:35,160 Speaker 1: he's the best center fielder in all of Major League Baseball, 81 00:03:35,440 --> 00:03:39,000 Speaker 1: and Willie or Bray, who's excelled in right field over 82 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 1: at Famway Park. So Sonny Gray, I think is gonna 83 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 1: fit very well. He's gonna feel very comfortable out there 84 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:48,680 Speaker 1: giving up contact in the air because he got those 85 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:51,920 Speaker 1: two guys behind him. Now, another thing about Sonny Gray 86 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:56,120 Speaker 1: that I like, not necessarily about him, but it gives 87 00:03:56,200 --> 00:03:58,920 Speaker 1: Brian Bao the opportunity to go down into the four 88 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:01,640 Speaker 1: spot in the rotation. And we've been waiting for Bao 89 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:04,160 Speaker 1: to really take that next step forward, and I think 90 00:04:04,160 --> 00:04:06,760 Speaker 1: with him being in the fourth spot, that takes some 91 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:08,640 Speaker 1: pressure off of him. He can work on trying to 92 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:11,640 Speaker 1: increase those strikeouts a little bit more this coming year. 93 00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:14,080 Speaker 1: So that's a benefit of having Gray in this rotation 94 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:17,640 Speaker 1: as well. But with Gray, I'm also very comfortable with 95 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:20,880 Speaker 1: him in the postseason over six postseason starts e Al 96 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 1: Ray at a three point two six. Like I said, 97 00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:26,719 Speaker 1: this guy is a competitor, He's a bulldog. I've talked 98 00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:31,000 Speaker 1: about this before. Really reminds me of Jake Peevey back 99 00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:34,240 Speaker 1: from twenty thirteen. A guy that he's just gonna get 100 00:04:34,279 --> 00:04:36,799 Speaker 1: put his heart on his sleeve out there. He's gonna 101 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:39,360 Speaker 1: work quick, he's gonna have a good tempo, he's gonna 102 00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:42,720 Speaker 1: be fiery out there. I just love the intangibles of 103 00:04:42,839 --> 00:04:45,400 Speaker 1: Sonny Gray. But again getting back to the point that 104 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:48,040 Speaker 1: I just made, you know, with where he gives up contact, 105 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:49,200 Speaker 1: I'm very comfortable with that. 106 00:04:49,480 --> 00:04:50,520 Speaker 2: I think he's gonna fit. 107 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,920 Speaker 1: Like a glove Infamway Park, and with Andrew Bailey as 108 00:04:53,920 --> 00:04:57,760 Speaker 1: the pitching coach, I think that's also gonna be fun 109 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:01,279 Speaker 1: to see how this unfolds because with he's got a 110 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:03,120 Speaker 1: ton of different pitches that he works with a lot 111 00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:05,880 Speaker 1: of different breaking pitches, off speed pitches as well. You know, 112 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:07,719 Speaker 1: he's not gonna come at you, you know, with a 113 00:05:07,760 --> 00:05:09,880 Speaker 1: ton of v low. He's gonna sit you know, ninety 114 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 1: two ninety three. He can you know, bump it up 115 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:13,960 Speaker 1: there a little bit as well. But I think with 116 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:17,039 Speaker 1: Andrew Bailey and you know, with what the Red Sox 117 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:20,159 Speaker 1: pitching staff and on the coaching side of things have 118 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:22,479 Speaker 1: been doing when it comes to the pitch mix with 119 00:05:22,600 --> 00:05:24,840 Speaker 1: their guys over the last couple of years, you know, 120 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:29,240 Speaker 1: getting more so away from those four seemers and really 121 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:31,839 Speaker 1: utilizing the strengths. I think this is going to be 122 00:05:31,880 --> 00:05:36,480 Speaker 1: a very good place for Sonny Gray moving forward. Even 123 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:41,360 Speaker 1: you know, with Gray at at his worst, I think 124 00:05:41,680 --> 00:05:44,360 Speaker 1: is still a very solid option at the three spot. 125 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:46,720 Speaker 1: Very excited to see what Sonny Gray can do for 126 00:05:46,760 --> 00:05:48,680 Speaker 1: the Red Sox this coming year. But we got a 127 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:52,360 Speaker 1: few more guys. Let's go talk about them, all right, 128 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:54,400 Speaker 1: So moving on to the next guy. And like I 129 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:57,560 Speaker 1: said in the intro, I'm not focusing so much on. 130 00:05:57,560 --> 00:05:58,799 Speaker 2: The obvious candidates. 131 00:05:58,839 --> 00:06:02,560 Speaker 1: I talked about Garrett crowche Roman Anthony fitting into that category, 132 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:05,320 Speaker 1: but in the bullpen I would put ear oldest Chapman 133 00:06:05,480 --> 00:06:07,200 Speaker 1: and Garrett Whitlock in that category. 134 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:10,000 Speaker 2: But there's another guy I like a lot. 135 00:06:09,839 --> 00:06:12,160 Speaker 1: For twenty twenty six coming out of the bullpen, and 136 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:16,200 Speaker 1: that is Justin Slayton. Now, twenty twenty five was a 137 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:18,720 Speaker 1: weird year for Justin Slayton. He came off a very 138 00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:22,080 Speaker 1: good season in twenty twenty four. Lots of hopes for 139 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:24,599 Speaker 1: Justin Slayton going into the twenty twenty five season, but 140 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:27,400 Speaker 1: then he started having some issues with the injuries. 141 00:06:27,480 --> 00:06:29,760 Speaker 2: He wasn't looking as sharp in the early going. 142 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 1: He ended up coming back from injury later on in 143 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:34,560 Speaker 1: the season and he was looking a lot better there after. 144 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:38,000 Speaker 1: A couple of bunths, but just a very inconsistent season 145 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:41,000 Speaker 1: for Justin Slayton. Now, taking a look at the overall 146 00:06:41,120 --> 00:06:43,480 Speaker 1: numbers with him. Last year, e Alray was at a 147 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:45,880 Speaker 1: four point twenty four, but the fifth was better at 148 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 1: a three point six to nine. Now, what made Slayton 149 00:06:49,279 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 1: so good in twenty twenty four was a very good 150 00:06:52,320 --> 00:06:56,039 Speaker 1: strikeout to walk ratio nine point four strikeouts per nine, 151 00:06:56,440 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 1: one point four to six walks per nine, zero points 152 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:02,920 Speaker 1: six home runs per nine. So he's not gonna rack 153 00:07:03,000 --> 00:07:05,359 Speaker 1: up like a ton of strikeouts out of the bullpen. 154 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:07,840 Speaker 1: But he's gonna have great command, he's gonna keep the 155 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 1: ball in the yard. Justin Slayton's a guy with very 156 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:12,680 Speaker 1: good stuff, good vel. So that's why, you know, we 157 00:07:12,680 --> 00:07:14,480 Speaker 1: were all hoping, you know, based off of what he 158 00:07:14,480 --> 00:07:16,440 Speaker 1: did in twenty twenty four, to take a step forward 159 00:07:16,760 --> 00:07:19,239 Speaker 1: last year, you know, even bump up those strikeouts further. 160 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:21,560 Speaker 1: But again, you know, he was having a lot of injuries, 161 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:26,160 Speaker 1: a lot of inconsistencies, but still he ended up providing 162 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:29,120 Speaker 1: some pretty solid numbers overall. Like if you looked at 163 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:31,840 Speaker 1: the LA and FIP, you know, for I'm just like 164 00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:35,040 Speaker 1: a blank you know, baseball card out there, you'd be like, okay, no, 165 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:37,800 Speaker 1: those are pretty good numbers. You know, nothing amazing, but 166 00:07:38,040 --> 00:07:40,720 Speaker 1: you know, not bad by any means. So with Slayton, 167 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:43,400 Speaker 1: the fact that this is only over thirty six games, 168 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 1: having injuries, inconsistencies, I'd say he actually turned out to 169 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 1: be pretty good. So taking a look over at stackcast 170 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:54,840 Speaker 1: and this is what has me hopeful as well. Again, 171 00:07:55,240 --> 00:07:58,040 Speaker 1: a lot of issues last year, but still putting up 172 00:07:58,120 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 1: really good metrics. Overall, the el was looking good. He 173 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:03,239 Speaker 1: was still getting guys to chase out of the zone. 174 00:08:03,440 --> 00:08:06,280 Speaker 1: The swing and miss was still very solid, and he 175 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:09,600 Speaker 1: was inducing a lot of weak contact. He was in 176 00:08:09,640 --> 00:08:12,680 Speaker 1: the upper tiers when it came to the hard hit percentage. 177 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:15,240 Speaker 1: And with the extension that he has, you know, this 178 00:08:15,320 --> 00:08:17,720 Speaker 1: is a guy that he's gonna give you good stuff. 179 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:20,520 Speaker 1: He's gonna throw a lot of strikes, and with the 180 00:08:20,600 --> 00:08:23,280 Speaker 1: extent and with the extension and with the extension that 181 00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:25,240 Speaker 1: he has, he's just gonna be harder to pick up. 182 00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:27,880 Speaker 1: So combine that, you know, with the good VLO, the 183 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:31,360 Speaker 1: good stuff that he has, and a more consistent season 184 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:34,680 Speaker 1: for Justin Slayton in twenty twenty six, hopefully, you know, 185 00:08:34,760 --> 00:08:37,439 Speaker 1: with some good health. I'm feeling good about him right 186 00:08:37,720 --> 00:08:40,200 Speaker 1: and I think that's gonna be really important because you know, 187 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:42,680 Speaker 1: like I said, a oldest Chapman, Garrett Whitlock, you know, 188 00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:45,600 Speaker 1: those are obvious guys that you're counting on to have 189 00:08:45,679 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 1: good seasons. But you know what if one of those guys, 190 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 1: or even both those guys take a bit of a 191 00:08:50,480 --> 00:08:53,000 Speaker 1: step back this coming year. So that's why you're looking 192 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:57,960 Speaker 1: at Justin Slayton to really improve on how things went 193 00:08:58,080 --> 00:09:01,120 Speaker 1: last year, for him to really step up here. 194 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:01,920 Speaker 2: In twenty twenty six. 195 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:04,560 Speaker 1: I think he's a key piece of this bullpen, but 196 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:06,880 Speaker 1: I'm excited to see how he does it. If he's healthy, 197 00:09:07,160 --> 00:09:08,840 Speaker 1: I'm counting on him to have a very good year. 198 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:12,480 Speaker 1: So let's move on here. We got a few bats 199 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:14,920 Speaker 1: to talk about. Let's go talk about the next guy, 200 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:18,920 Speaker 1: all right, So let's talk about another newcomer for the 201 00:09:18,920 --> 00:09:22,280 Speaker 1: Red Sox in twenty twenty six. And not the flashiest 202 00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 1: player by any means. He's not Alex Bregman. He's not 203 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:28,160 Speaker 1: gonna tell Marte, He's not even Estock Paradis. But he 204 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:32,199 Speaker 1: goes by the name of Caleb Durbin, who I think 205 00:09:32,400 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 1: could end up being a really solid pickup for the 206 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:38,360 Speaker 1: Red Sox. Here in twenty twenty six, when this trade 207 00:09:38,400 --> 00:09:40,840 Speaker 1: first happened, a lot of people were thinking, Oh, man, 208 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:43,360 Speaker 1: I thought we were gonna go get Estoc Paratus from 209 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:45,640 Speaker 1: the Astros. I mean, that's a guy who could hit 210 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:48,320 Speaker 1: around probably thirty home runs of Famway Park. But instead 211 00:09:48,640 --> 00:09:52,319 Speaker 1: they opted to go for a guy that is pretty undersize. 212 00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:55,000 Speaker 1: Kind of reminded a lot of people of Dustin Badroya. 213 00:09:55,120 --> 00:09:58,160 Speaker 1: Now I'm not gonna start making comparisons to Dustin Bajroy 214 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:01,000 Speaker 1: by any means, I don't think that's fair. Dustin macdroy 215 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:03,080 Speaker 1: one of the best Red Sox players of all time. 216 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:07,120 Speaker 1: But Durbin, you know, because of the frame that he has, 217 00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:09,200 Speaker 1: you know, a guy that's five foot seven, you know, 218 00:10:09,280 --> 00:10:12,760 Speaker 1: not the biggest guy out there, but a very gritty player, 219 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:15,200 Speaker 1: a guy that's not afraid to get dirty. He's gonna 220 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:17,079 Speaker 1: be a dirt dog kind of a player. So I 221 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:20,600 Speaker 1: can understand why people were thinking of pd you know, 222 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:22,719 Speaker 1: from the get go. But I don't think, you know, 223 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:24,840 Speaker 1: we got another Dustin macdroy on our hands. But I 224 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:27,400 Speaker 1: do think we have a very solid player who I 225 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:30,240 Speaker 1: think can fit very well at Family Park. Now take 226 00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:33,480 Speaker 1: a look at the numbers here with Durbin last year. 227 00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:35,760 Speaker 1: He finished third in Rookie of the Year voting last 228 00:10:35,840 --> 00:10:38,720 Speaker 1: year for the Milwaukee Brewers, hitting two fifty six on 229 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:41,360 Speaker 1: base at a three thirty four, slugging only at a 230 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:43,640 Speaker 1: three eighty seven. We'll talk about that in just a second. 231 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:47,680 Speaker 1: WRC plus set an OK one oh five, a little 232 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:51,000 Speaker 1: above league average last year, but a two point six 233 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:55,160 Speaker 1: fangraft wins above replacement overall, and the reason it's getting 234 00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:57,079 Speaker 1: close to the three here is because he's gonna give 235 00:10:57,080 --> 00:10:59,520 Speaker 1: you very good defense, and you know, for the Red Sox, 236 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:04,960 Speaker 1: that's something that they were looking to improve this coming year. Now, 237 00:11:05,040 --> 00:11:06,520 Speaker 1: if you take a look here when it comes to 238 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:08,760 Speaker 1: the outs above average, you know, he was pretty middle 239 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:12,040 Speaker 1: of the road. But over at third base, he also 240 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:14,560 Speaker 1: played some second base too. He was a lot better 241 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:17,440 Speaker 1: over at third base, and that's looking like maybe where 242 00:11:17,480 --> 00:11:20,040 Speaker 1: the Red Sox are gonna be going with him more so, 243 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:23,200 Speaker 1: I could see him bouncing around between third and second 244 00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:26,559 Speaker 1: base depending on macshups and whatnot. You know, Marcella Meyer 245 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:28,600 Speaker 1: is going to be in the mix in some way, 246 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:31,760 Speaker 1: shape or form. You know, don't forget you have Ikf 247 00:11:31,760 --> 00:11:35,160 Speaker 1: in there. You got someone like Angie Monasterio, maybe Brendan Rodgers, 248 00:11:35,240 --> 00:11:37,640 Speaker 1: but obviously Caleb Durban is gonna be one of the 249 00:11:37,640 --> 00:11:41,160 Speaker 1: full time guys here. So I'm just saying, depending on macshups, 250 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:43,920 Speaker 1: he'll be at either third or second base, whatever it 251 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:45,680 Speaker 1: may be. But if you are looking for something that 252 00:11:45,720 --> 00:11:48,320 Speaker 1: he can at least help make up the loss of 253 00:11:48,400 --> 00:11:51,640 Speaker 1: Bregman for, it's definitely the defense. So I'm not gonna 254 00:11:51,679 --> 00:11:53,400 Speaker 1: be surprised to see him play a lot of third 255 00:11:53,440 --> 00:11:56,200 Speaker 1: I could definitely see him playing some second base as well. 256 00:11:56,240 --> 00:12:00,400 Speaker 1: But when it comes to the bat of Caleb durbancited 257 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:02,920 Speaker 1: about the fit at Femway Park. Now, as you can 258 00:12:02,960 --> 00:12:05,400 Speaker 1: see last year in twenty twenty five, he had a 259 00:12:05,520 --> 00:12:10,000 Speaker 1: poll air percentage of twenty point four that was above 260 00:12:10,080 --> 00:12:13,400 Speaker 1: league average last year. And what do you got over 261 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:16,079 Speaker 1: in Femway Park, That big old green wall. I think 262 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:18,040 Speaker 1: you guys know what I'm talking about, the green Monster, 263 00:12:18,160 --> 00:12:21,080 Speaker 1: of course. So with Caleb durban being right handed back, 264 00:12:21,360 --> 00:12:23,640 Speaker 1: I could see him playing a lot of wallball. Now, 265 00:12:23,760 --> 00:12:26,160 Speaker 1: if we're taking a look at the expected home runs 266 00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:28,600 Speaker 1: last year, you know, he had eleven home runs, but 267 00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:32,200 Speaker 1: at Femway Park, according to Statcast, they're only giving him five. 268 00:12:32,559 --> 00:12:35,720 Speaker 1: So because of the long jangle, I could see, you know, 269 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:38,720 Speaker 1: more balls bouncing off that wall. But a guy that 270 00:12:38,760 --> 00:12:40,880 Speaker 1: could definitely get a lot of extra base hits. So, 271 00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:43,640 Speaker 1: you know, the more bases that he racks up, you know, 272 00:12:43,679 --> 00:12:46,240 Speaker 1: the more I could see that slugging creep up there 273 00:12:46,280 --> 00:12:48,200 Speaker 1: a little bit, you know, maybe even get into that 274 00:12:48,520 --> 00:12:51,120 Speaker 1: you know, four twenty to four thirty kind of arrange. 275 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:53,400 Speaker 1: But what I'm looking for with Caleb Durbin is just 276 00:12:53,440 --> 00:12:56,040 Speaker 1: a good gritty at bat every time he comes up 277 00:12:56,040 --> 00:12:58,120 Speaker 1: to the plate. He was very good when he came 278 00:12:58,160 --> 00:13:00,400 Speaker 1: to the plate discipline last year. He was top twenty 279 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:03,079 Speaker 1: five when it came to the contact percentage, but when 280 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:05,560 Speaker 1: it came to strikeout percentage, he was in the ninety 281 00:13:05,600 --> 00:13:08,320 Speaker 1: eighth percentile. When it came to the fifth percentage, he 282 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:11,800 Speaker 1: was in the ninety sixth percentile, Chase right in the 283 00:13:11,880 --> 00:13:15,480 Speaker 1: second in the seventy second percentile, and he squared up 284 00:13:15,760 --> 00:13:18,559 Speaker 1: a lot ninety fifth percentile. Overall, You're not going to 285 00:13:18,640 --> 00:13:21,320 Speaker 1: get an amazing bat of ball profile with him. He 286 00:13:21,440 --> 00:13:23,439 Speaker 1: was pretty low in pretty much all of the major 287 00:13:23,480 --> 00:13:26,760 Speaker 1: categories there. But again at Fenway Park, with the right 288 00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:29,280 Speaker 1: handed bat, he could play with that monster, and I 289 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:31,719 Speaker 1: could see him having himself a really solid year for 290 00:13:31,760 --> 00:13:34,600 Speaker 1: the Red Sox this year. You know, again, not the 291 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:37,440 Speaker 1: flashiest of players. You know, he's not Alex Bregman. He's 292 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:39,560 Speaker 1: not you know, Katell Marte, who was at the top 293 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:41,719 Speaker 1: of our wish lists if we weren't going to bring 294 00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:43,200 Speaker 1: back Bregman last year. 295 00:13:43,920 --> 00:13:47,200 Speaker 2: You know, even Esauk Paradas sue with him. Not an 296 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:48,319 Speaker 2: amazing bat of ball. 297 00:13:48,120 --> 00:13:52,040 Speaker 1: Profile, but a guy that definitely had enough power to 298 00:13:52,240 --> 00:13:54,360 Speaker 1: clear the green monster at Fenway Park. If you say 299 00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:57,640 Speaker 1: around thirty thirty five home runs. Now with Durbin, I'm 300 00:13:57,679 --> 00:14:00,600 Speaker 1: not expecting, you know, twenty to two twenty five home 301 00:14:00,679 --> 00:14:03,079 Speaker 1: runs by any means. But is this a guy that 302 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:06,280 Speaker 1: could maybe get into that fifteen to twenty range if 303 00:14:06,280 --> 00:14:08,800 Speaker 1: he could adjust that long jangle a little bit, get 304 00:14:08,840 --> 00:14:10,880 Speaker 1: a bit more loft in his swing. I don't think 305 00:14:10,920 --> 00:14:14,080 Speaker 1: it's completely out of the question. But overall, with Durbin, 306 00:14:14,240 --> 00:14:16,400 Speaker 1: a guy that's gonna be a gritty player. He's gonna 307 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:18,600 Speaker 1: give you good defense, he can play with that monster 308 00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:19,080 Speaker 1: a little bit. 309 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:20,840 Speaker 2: And he's also gonna give you a little bit. 310 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:22,840 Speaker 1: Of speed as well. That's something I forgot to mention. 311 00:14:23,120 --> 00:14:26,520 Speaker 1: Eighteen stolen bases last year. So overall, you know, I'm 312 00:14:26,560 --> 00:14:29,720 Speaker 1: excited to see what Durbin can bring to the table. 313 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:32,920 Speaker 1: I think he's someone that can be a fan favorite 314 00:14:32,960 --> 00:14:36,120 Speaker 1: with the Red Sox. All right, moving on to the 315 00:14:36,160 --> 00:14:38,520 Speaker 1: next player on this list and another newcomer for the 316 00:14:38,520 --> 00:14:42,040 Speaker 1: Red Sox in twenty twenty six. Now, going into the offseason, 317 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:44,680 Speaker 1: Craig Breslo was talking about adding a big bat for 318 00:14:44,760 --> 00:14:45,240 Speaker 1: the middle. 319 00:14:45,080 --> 00:14:46,840 Speaker 2: Of the order. They can give you some good power. 320 00:14:46,960 --> 00:14:49,800 Speaker 1: So we were all thinking maybe Pete Alonso, Maybe Kyle 321 00:14:49,880 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 1: Schwarber bought Alonso went to the Orioles. Schworber he went 322 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:55,480 Speaker 1: back to the Phillies. So we were all thinking, all right, 323 00:14:55,520 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 1: who is gonna be this big power bat for the 324 00:14:58,280 --> 00:15:00,000 Speaker 1: middle of the order, And the Red Sox ended up 325 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:03,160 Speaker 1: pivoting to a guy that doesn't come off as this 326 00:15:03,280 --> 00:15:06,000 Speaker 1: big power bat that can hit third or four to three, 327 00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 1: and that's Wilson Contreras. Now, Contreras has been very solid 328 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:12,600 Speaker 1: in his career up to this point, help the Cubs 329 00:15:12,600 --> 00:15:15,120 Speaker 1: win the World Series back in twenty sixteen in his 330 00:15:15,240 --> 00:15:17,920 Speaker 1: rookie season, put up solid numbers along the way with 331 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:21,600 Speaker 1: the Cubs and most recently the Cardinals, and last year 332 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 1: had another solid year, hit two fifty seven, on base 333 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:26,560 Speaker 1: at a three forty four, slugging at a four to 334 00:15:26,600 --> 00:15:30,120 Speaker 1: forty seven, a very good WRC plus at one twenty four, 335 00:15:30,240 --> 00:15:33,640 Speaker 1: twenty home runs, and a two point eight f war overall. 336 00:15:33,880 --> 00:15:36,720 Speaker 1: Now with Contreras, the most home runs that he's hit 337 00:15:36,960 --> 00:15:39,520 Speaker 1: in his career up to this point is twenty four 338 00:15:39,880 --> 00:15:43,120 Speaker 1: back in twenty nineteen. But here's another guy that I 339 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:46,240 Speaker 1: think could fit like a glove at Femway Park. I 340 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:48,320 Speaker 1: think you're starting to notice a bit of a trend 341 00:15:48,360 --> 00:15:51,200 Speaker 1: here with a few guys on this list. Now with 342 00:15:51,360 --> 00:15:54,920 Speaker 1: Contreras last year yet again putting up some very good 343 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:57,560 Speaker 1: batted ball data ran very well with the barrel percentage, 344 00:15:57,600 --> 00:15:59,640 Speaker 1: the hard hit percentage, the eggs of ve Lo is 345 00:15:59,640 --> 00:16:02,720 Speaker 1: pretty solid overall. The expected slugging was in the eighty 346 00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 1: fourth percentile. The ex wOBA was in the eighty six 347 00:16:05,920 --> 00:16:09,160 Speaker 1: percent tile. We know Wilson Contreras is a solid bat. 348 00:16:09,360 --> 00:16:13,800 Speaker 1: Now where I really like Contrera's, especially at Famway Park, 349 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:18,120 Speaker 1: is once again bringing up the pull air percentage. We 350 00:16:18,160 --> 00:16:21,480 Speaker 1: talked about this with Caleb Durban, but with Contreras, he's 351 00:16:21,520 --> 00:16:25,200 Speaker 1: got more power upside than Durban. So last year with Wilson, 352 00:16:25,320 --> 00:16:27,160 Speaker 1: he said a career high when it came to his 353 00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:30,600 Speaker 1: pull air percentage where they nineteen point eight percent. The 354 00:16:30,760 --> 00:16:33,080 Speaker 1: highest he had put up in his career up to 355 00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:36,440 Speaker 1: that point was a fifteen point nine back in twenty 356 00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:39,160 Speaker 1: twenty two. So he jumped up right around four percent. 357 00:16:39,200 --> 00:16:41,520 Speaker 1: That's a pretty big increase, and the Red Sox saw 358 00:16:41,560 --> 00:16:43,520 Speaker 1: that and said, hey, you know what, we don't have 359 00:16:43,560 --> 00:16:45,880 Speaker 1: to give up a whole ton for Contreras. You know, 360 00:16:45,920 --> 00:16:47,560 Speaker 1: we'll have to pay some of the contract, but the 361 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 1: Cardinals they were going to pay off most of the contract. 362 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:51,800 Speaker 1: And you know, he didn't have to give up a 363 00:16:51,800 --> 00:16:55,440 Speaker 1: whole ton of prospects to acquire him. So in the 364 00:16:55,560 --> 00:16:57,760 Speaker 1: end I ended up really liking this acquisition for the 365 00:16:57,800 --> 00:17:00,960 Speaker 1: Red Sox. Again, you know, he's not Pete Lonzo, he's 366 00:17:00,960 --> 00:17:02,840 Speaker 1: not Kyle Schwarber. But you know, when you take a 367 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:05,119 Speaker 1: look at the battle ball profile, the amount that he 368 00:17:05,240 --> 00:17:08,000 Speaker 1: pulled in the air last year, you know, could this 369 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:10,359 Speaker 1: be a guy that ends up giving you around twenty 370 00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:12,840 Speaker 1: five thirty home runs? Even could he set a career 371 00:17:12,960 --> 00:17:15,160 Speaker 1: high in home runs for the Red Sox this year. 372 00:17:15,240 --> 00:17:18,400 Speaker 1: I don't think it's completely out of the question, especially 373 00:17:18,440 --> 00:17:21,480 Speaker 1: if he can utilize that green monster out there. Now, 374 00:17:21,640 --> 00:17:25,360 Speaker 1: another bright side with Wilson is the defense that he's 375 00:17:25,359 --> 00:17:27,960 Speaker 1: going to bring. Now, remember Contrera's he was a catcher 376 00:17:27,960 --> 00:17:30,560 Speaker 1: in his career all the way up until last year. 377 00:17:30,600 --> 00:17:32,840 Speaker 1: He moved over to first base for the first time, 378 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:36,000 Speaker 1: and he ended up excelling over there. You take a 379 00:17:36,040 --> 00:17:38,919 Speaker 1: look here at the metrics, he ranked very well in 380 00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:40,960 Speaker 1: outs above average at the position he was in the 381 00:17:41,080 --> 00:17:44,879 Speaker 1: ninetieth percentile with six outs above average. The arm strength 382 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:47,479 Speaker 1: was looking very good, of course, obviously being a catcher 383 00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:49,399 Speaker 1: for years, so you know, he ended up fitting like 384 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:51,359 Speaker 1: a glove there and with the Red Sox. Like I 385 00:17:51,400 --> 00:17:54,560 Speaker 1: said earlier, you know, we're talking about infield defense. That's 386 00:17:54,600 --> 00:17:57,960 Speaker 1: something they've struggled with over the last few years, especially 387 00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:00,919 Speaker 1: at first base too. But he's gonna be a solid 388 00:18:00,920 --> 00:18:03,199 Speaker 1: guy there. I think he's also just gonna bring a 389 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:05,520 Speaker 1: good presence for the clubhouse, a guy that you know, 390 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:08,240 Speaker 1: he's been viewed as a leader for the clubhouse before 391 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:11,000 Speaker 1: both of the Chicago and Saint Louis. He's gonna bring 392 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:13,520 Speaker 1: a good energy to this Red Sox team, a competitor, 393 00:18:13,640 --> 00:18:15,800 Speaker 1: He's gonna put his heart on his sleeve out there. 394 00:18:15,960 --> 00:18:18,720 Speaker 1: I think the Red Sox fans are really gonna love him. 395 00:18:18,880 --> 00:18:19,080 Speaker 2: You know. 396 00:18:19,240 --> 00:18:21,640 Speaker 1: Sure, let's see, you know, what he can do here 397 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:23,280 Speaker 1: over the next couple of years. You know, he is 398 00:18:23,320 --> 00:18:26,040 Speaker 1: thirty three, so by the time he's done with the 399 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:28,160 Speaker 1: Red Sox, or at least his contract is over, he'll 400 00:18:28,200 --> 00:18:30,280 Speaker 1: be thirty five. So let's see if the Red Sox 401 00:18:30,320 --> 00:18:34,159 Speaker 1: can tap into a bit more with Wilson here. Again, 402 00:18:34,359 --> 00:18:36,720 Speaker 1: I like the fit of Family Park. I just think 403 00:18:36,760 --> 00:18:39,159 Speaker 1: this is a guy that could really take advantage, you know, 404 00:18:39,200 --> 00:18:41,080 Speaker 1: the veteran that he is. I think he can make 405 00:18:41,119 --> 00:18:45,080 Speaker 1: those adjustments even more playing at Family Park for half 406 00:18:45,080 --> 00:18:48,399 Speaker 1: a season. I'm very excited about Wilson Contreras, but you 407 00:18:48,440 --> 00:18:51,359 Speaker 1: know what, I'm also very excited about ladies and gentlemen, 408 00:18:51,560 --> 00:18:56,080 Speaker 1: and that is the World Baseball Classic coming up. And 409 00:18:56,320 --> 00:19:00,919 Speaker 1: you know Wilson Contreras, He's on Team Venezuela along. 410 00:19:00,720 --> 00:19:02,400 Speaker 2: With Will You or bra you my day. 411 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:06,680 Speaker 1: I really liking Venezuela this year for the World Baseball Classic. 412 00:19:06,720 --> 00:19:09,440 Speaker 1: And you got some good players here, of course, Wilson Contrez, 413 00:19:09,480 --> 00:19:11,879 Speaker 1: will your bra You. But you got roder Kacunyuk Junior 414 00:19:12,119 --> 00:19:15,360 Speaker 1: in the mix. You got Juhenio Suarez, you got Glaber Torres, 415 00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:18,880 Speaker 1: you got makel Garcia, even a hitting machine like Luisa 416 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:22,400 Speaker 1: rise Andre sa menez Ezekiel Tavar, very good defense there. 417 00:19:22,440 --> 00:19:24,600 Speaker 1: You got a lot of good position players here with 418 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:27,320 Speaker 1: Team Venezuela. Now they are going to be on a 419 00:19:27,440 --> 00:19:30,680 Speaker 1: tough side of the bracket here. Of course, you got 420 00:19:30,680 --> 00:19:34,120 Speaker 1: the defending champs Japan. They're always very good anytime they 421 00:19:34,160 --> 00:19:36,760 Speaker 1: do a World Baseball Classic, and you got the Dominican 422 00:19:36,800 --> 00:19:40,320 Speaker 1: Republic as well in the same pool. So it's gonna 423 00:19:40,320 --> 00:19:42,439 Speaker 1: be very tough on this side of the bracket. But 424 00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:46,479 Speaker 1: Venezuela absolutely has the talent, I think to go on 425 00:19:46,520 --> 00:19:48,400 Speaker 1: some kind of a run. But another good thing about 426 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:50,919 Speaker 1: the World Baseball Classic is all of the coverage is 427 00:19:50,920 --> 00:19:54,120 Speaker 1: brought to you by our friends over at Fox one, 428 00:19:54,280 --> 00:19:57,240 Speaker 1: which is live stream all of your Fox favorites together 429 00:19:57,480 --> 00:20:00,560 Speaker 1: in one place, including all the World Baseball Class games 430 00:20:00,680 --> 00:20:03,479 Speaker 1: over the next few weeks, and after that the best 431 00:20:03,520 --> 00:20:06,840 Speaker 1: Major League Baseball action all season long, from the World 432 00:20:06,880 --> 00:20:09,520 Speaker 1: Baseball Classic, through the World Series, to the World Cup, 433 00:20:09,520 --> 00:20:12,760 Speaker 1: to NASCAR and Indy Car. With Fox one, you get 434 00:20:12,760 --> 00:20:15,320 Speaker 1: it all live. You can start your seven day freak 435 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:18,840 Speaker 1: trial today. Offers our subject to change, but you could 436 00:20:18,880 --> 00:20:22,440 Speaker 1: download Fox one today and stream the World Baseball Classic live. 437 00:20:22,560 --> 00:20:26,240 Speaker 1: Go to foxwe dot com for complete terms and conditions. 438 00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:30,000 Speaker 1: Fox one streaming now. Alrighty, moving on to the final 439 00:20:30,119 --> 00:20:32,800 Speaker 1: player on my list. The guy that I just brought 440 00:20:32,880 --> 00:20:36,240 Speaker 1: up teammates with Wilson and Treris and the WBC this year, 441 00:20:36,440 --> 00:20:39,520 Speaker 1: and that is Willier A Bray You. I'm very excited 442 00:20:39,520 --> 00:20:42,080 Speaker 1: about Willier in twenty twenty six. Now, over the last 443 00:20:42,080 --> 00:20:44,840 Speaker 1: couple of seasons, he has shown a lot of good things, 444 00:20:44,880 --> 00:20:48,080 Speaker 1: but I don't think he's fully put it together. There's 445 00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:50,560 Speaker 1: a couple of things he still has to take a 446 00:20:50,600 --> 00:20:51,480 Speaker 1: step forward with. 447 00:20:51,720 --> 00:20:52,000 Speaker 2: Now. 448 00:20:52,280 --> 00:20:54,840 Speaker 1: Last season, remember he got off to a very hot start. 449 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:57,400 Speaker 1: Hit two ninety five with a nine to sixty five ops. 450 00:20:57,440 --> 00:20:59,000 Speaker 1: He was coming up with some big hits, had to 451 00:20:59,040 --> 00:21:01,560 Speaker 1: walk off against the car Cardinals. Remember, he was setting 452 00:21:01,600 --> 00:21:03,879 Speaker 1: the world on fire, and a big part of that 453 00:21:04,240 --> 00:21:06,800 Speaker 1: was he had made some good adjustments going into the 454 00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:09,119 Speaker 1: twenty twenty five season. If you remember, back in twenty 455 00:21:09,119 --> 00:21:13,119 Speaker 1: twenty four, he struggled against both breaking and off speed pitches, 456 00:21:13,160 --> 00:21:16,399 Speaker 1: so pictures were trying to attack him there. But he 457 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:19,440 Speaker 1: made the good adjustments and he was just pounding those pictures. 458 00:21:19,440 --> 00:21:24,000 Speaker 1: But eventually pictures started attacking him differently. They started coming 459 00:21:24,040 --> 00:21:26,639 Speaker 1: after him with the fastball, something that he did well 460 00:21:26,920 --> 00:21:29,600 Speaker 1: with back in twenty twenty four. They started attacking him 461 00:21:29,640 --> 00:21:32,120 Speaker 1: a little bit differently though, and he ended up struggling 462 00:21:32,160 --> 00:21:35,320 Speaker 1: against fastballs last year. So you know, he has shown 463 00:21:35,359 --> 00:21:38,760 Speaker 1: the ability to make those adjustments against those pictures, so 464 00:21:39,040 --> 00:21:41,000 Speaker 1: I think he can do the same here. In twenty 465 00:21:41,040 --> 00:21:44,360 Speaker 1: twenty six, get back on track against those fastballs which 466 00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:47,080 Speaker 1: he hit well back in twenty twenty four. So I 467 00:21:47,119 --> 00:21:49,520 Speaker 1: think this is the year where he finally puts it 468 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:53,400 Speaker 1: all together, you know, hitting consistently against all different kinds 469 00:21:53,440 --> 00:21:56,640 Speaker 1: of pictures. But another area is hitting left handers, where 470 00:21:56,920 --> 00:21:59,240 Speaker 1: last year he did you know, still you know, not 471 00:21:59,320 --> 00:22:03,480 Speaker 1: amazing by he means, but he did show improvement overall. 472 00:22:03,520 --> 00:22:06,440 Speaker 1: You know, taking a look at his numbers against left 473 00:22:06,440 --> 00:22:08,639 Speaker 1: handed pitching over the last couple of years. Back in 474 00:22:08,720 --> 00:22:12,920 Speaker 1: twenty twenty four, he only hit one eighty against left 475 00:22:12,920 --> 00:22:16,080 Speaker 1: handed pitching, but last year it went up to two thirty. 476 00:22:16,119 --> 00:22:19,760 Speaker 1: The WRC plus increased, the ops increased a little bit, 477 00:22:20,040 --> 00:22:22,280 Speaker 1: still not where you want it to be, but he 478 00:22:22,320 --> 00:22:26,840 Speaker 1: did show those improvements. So I'm banking on will you're 479 00:22:26,880 --> 00:22:29,080 Speaker 1: here for this year. You know the fact that he 480 00:22:29,200 --> 00:22:32,640 Speaker 1: has shown the ability to make those adjustments against pitches 481 00:22:32,760 --> 00:22:35,439 Speaker 1: and left handers last year, I think he can take 482 00:22:35,440 --> 00:22:38,080 Speaker 1: a step forward this year when it comes to both. 483 00:22:38,160 --> 00:22:39,600 Speaker 1: You know, if you take a look here, the BATA 484 00:22:39,640 --> 00:22:43,159 Speaker 1: ball profile still looked very solid last year. Average Egsavilo 485 00:22:43,280 --> 00:22:46,720 Speaker 1: in the sixty six percentile, seventy seventh percentile. When it 486 00:22:46,760 --> 00:22:49,400 Speaker 1: comes to the barrel percentage, the walks rolls are looking 487 00:22:49,520 --> 00:22:52,520 Speaker 1: very good last year in the sixty seventh percentile. Now, 488 00:22:52,560 --> 00:22:55,640 Speaker 1: he did show improvement with his fifth percentage last year. 489 00:22:55,760 --> 00:22:57,720 Speaker 1: If you take a look back in twenty twenty four, 490 00:22:57,960 --> 00:23:01,080 Speaker 1: it was at twenty to nine point six percent, But 491 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:03,199 Speaker 1: last year he did clean it up. He brought it 492 00:23:03,240 --> 00:23:06,639 Speaker 1: down to twenty four percent. Still not amazing by any means, 493 00:23:06,680 --> 00:23:09,280 Speaker 1: more middle of the road, but again, a guy that's 494 00:23:09,320 --> 00:23:13,720 Speaker 1: shown the ability to make those adjustments and improve year 495 00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:16,160 Speaker 1: after year, and the fact that he's still only twenty 496 00:23:16,200 --> 00:23:18,480 Speaker 1: six years old, I think you're going to see a 497 00:23:18,600 --> 00:23:21,480 Speaker 1: very good year from Willier this year. This is a 498 00:23:21,480 --> 00:23:23,520 Speaker 1: guy who I think has a ton of upside. You know, 499 00:23:23,840 --> 00:23:26,040 Speaker 1: he's gonna give you the good defense out and right field. 500 00:23:26,200 --> 00:23:28,679 Speaker 1: You know, let's see if he can fully stay healthy 501 00:23:28,720 --> 00:23:30,719 Speaker 1: this coming year. You know, a guy who has had 502 00:23:30,760 --> 00:23:32,960 Speaker 1: some issues over the last couple of years. Right he 503 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:35,760 Speaker 1: missed time towards the end of the season. Last year, 504 00:23:35,800 --> 00:23:38,840 Speaker 1: he came back to the postseason still wasn't looking quite right. 505 00:23:39,080 --> 00:23:42,600 Speaker 1: But I'm very excited about Willier for this coming year. Again, 506 00:23:42,720 --> 00:23:46,159 Speaker 1: I'm banking on the adjustments that he's shown that he 507 00:23:46,200 --> 00:23:48,879 Speaker 1: can make over the last couple of years. I'm looking 508 00:23:48,960 --> 00:23:51,720 Speaker 1: for a big year from Will your a brave you. 509 00:23:51,840 --> 00:23:55,439 Speaker 1: But those are my top five candidates for Red Sox 510 00:23:55,480 --> 00:23:58,600 Speaker 1: that I like in twenty twenty six. I know we 511 00:23:58,600 --> 00:24:01,119 Speaker 1: could go with a lot more players, but these are 512 00:24:01,160 --> 00:24:04,199 Speaker 1: the five guys that I feel very good about. You know, 513 00:24:04,240 --> 00:24:05,840 Speaker 1: we'll take a look back at this down the road, 514 00:24:05,840 --> 00:24:08,240 Speaker 1: but I'm feeling pretty good that I can go five 515 00:24:08,280 --> 00:24:10,800 Speaker 1: for five on these guys. Maybe I miss a little bit. 516 00:24:11,119 --> 00:24:13,640 Speaker 1: I think we could go at least four for five 517 00:24:13,920 --> 00:24:16,720 Speaker 1: on these guys. We'll take a look back in the future. 518 00:24:16,800 --> 00:24:18,760 Speaker 1: But let me go down below in the comments some 519 00:24:18,840 --> 00:24:21,920 Speaker 1: players that you're feeling very good about in twenty twenty six. 520 00:24:22,080 --> 00:24:25,080 Speaker 1: Like I said, we've got the obvious guys like Garrett Crochet, 521 00:24:25,200 --> 00:24:27,280 Speaker 1: who I think can go after a Cy Young this year, 522 00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:30,560 Speaker 1: could Roam and Anthony even go after an MVP. I'm 523 00:24:30,560 --> 00:24:34,000 Speaker 1: not gonna doubt them whatsoever. That guy is an absolute maniac. 524 00:24:34,080 --> 00:24:35,080 Speaker 2: He's a stud. You know. 525 00:24:35,080 --> 00:24:38,440 Speaker 1: You got guys like Rangers Suarez like I mentioned, and 526 00:24:38,640 --> 00:24:41,320 Speaker 1: guys in the bullpen as well, Roll as Chapman, Garrett Whitlock. 527 00:24:41,359 --> 00:24:43,400 Speaker 1: You know, other guys can fit in that category as well, 528 00:24:43,400 --> 00:24:46,040 Speaker 1: but I wanted to highlight guys who I think could 529 00:24:46,080 --> 00:24:48,119 Speaker 1: really take a good step forward with the Red Sox 530 00:24:48,119 --> 00:24:50,440 Speaker 1: of this year and have a very productive year. So 531 00:24:50,480 --> 00:24:53,400 Speaker 1: those are my choices. Let me know your choices down 532 00:24:53,400 --> 00:24:56,080 Speaker 1: below in the comments. But everybody, that's all I got 533 00:24:56,119 --> 00:24:57,720 Speaker 1: for now. If you kind of the way out, hit 534 00:24:57,720 --> 00:25:00,120 Speaker 1: the like button, subscribe if you're new, if you're listening 535 00:25:00,160 --> 00:25:03,280 Speaker 1: to us in podcast format, leave us a five star review. 536 00:25:03,440 --> 00:25:06,040 Speaker 2: It really helps us out. But everybody, that's all I got. 537 00:25:06,359 --> 00:25:07,400 Speaker 2: I'll talk to you next time.