GOOD BET TO STICK AROUND
With roadblocks in front of him, Red Sox top prospect Bobby Dalbec figures to stay put with the PawSox for the foreseeable future
PAWTUCKET — Rafael Devers didn’t hang around McCoy Stadium for very long. For that matter, neither did Michael Chavis.
Bobby Dalbec could prove to be the exception to what’s been an unofficial rule around these parts – a Red Sox top-flight prospect making what amounts to a cameo appearance in a PawSox uniform.
Dalbec is getting his first taste of Triple-A life, his promotion to the minor-league realm that’s commonly known as “one phone call away” taking place late Friday night. The 24-year-old made a beeline out of Bowie, Md., where Double-A Portland was playing. You can bet pitchers were far from heartbroken to see Dalbec and his Eastern League-leading 20 home runs move on to the International League.
“It’s nice to know the organization feels I’m ready for this. I feel like I’m ready for the challenge,” said Dalbec. “I think I’ve been ready for it. It’s nice to be here.”
A car ride and flight later, Dalbec found himself at McCoy and penciled in Pawtucket’s lineup for Saturday night’s game. The player known for owning “light tower power” scratched out two hits in four at-bats. Dalbec was generously credited with a bloop single to shallow left field in his first-ever PawSox at-bat, then collected an infield hit in the ninth inning.
For Dalbec, life wasn’t nearly as hectic on Sunday. He appeared in his second straight game for the PawSox, finishing 1-for-4 with three strikeouts. Lauded by industry types for having a cannon of an arm, Dalbec showed it off with one down in the eighth inning and the bases loaded.
Time was of the essence on a slow roller hit to Dalbec at third base. He charged in, gloved it, and was on target with a strike of a throw to catcher Juan Centeno.
It was a very close play, but Dalbec’s strong
read and accuracy prevailed. Rochester’s Alejandro De Aza was called out and Pawtucket held on for a 7-3 win.
That particular play justifies Baseball America’s decision to laud Dalbec as the owner of the best arm among Eastern League third basemen. If you’re the Red Sox, why continue to expose Dalbec to first base? The arm he possesses appears to be quite special, hence it would be a total waste to shift Dalbec across the diamond.
“I feel like I get kind of dogged a lot so I don’t really pay attention to it honestly,” said Dalbec when the topic of holding the rank of top prospect in the Red Sox system was broached. “If they think I have good tools, that’s good.”
Dalbec in 2019 has appeared in 13 games at first base. Boston loves the idea of exposing their minor leaguers to multiple positions. Versatility is the cool buzz word. In the organization’s eyes, a third baseman who is also capable of playing first possesses the kind of value that can open a ton of doors – particularly when making a roster decision.
“I feel comfortable at first,” said Dalbec, noting he played there during his college days at the University of Arizona. “I’ve got to backhand double-play balls a little bit different. Other than that, I feel pretty good.”
The locker stall that was awarded to Dalbec in the PawSox clubhouse was quite telling. It’s a corner spot that doubles as prime real estate. Usually, it’s set aside for a Red Sox player on a rehab assignment. Once upon a time, that same McCoy locker was utilized by Jon Lester when he was on the comeback trail after beating cancer.
It’s a power spot that’s befitting of Dalbec’s power-hitting tendencies. A year ago, he smashed 32 home runs. A tall drink of water at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Dalbec looks the part of a middle-of-the-order slugger who probably can’t wait to take his cuts against the
Green Monster.
Taking a 30,000-foot view, the odds are pretty good that Dalbec will remain property of the PawSox for much longer than either Devers or Chavis, the two players we referenced at the top. In 2017, Devers lasted all of nine games with Pawtucket before Boston knocked on his door. Chavis was gone after 20 Triple-A games – 12 coming in the first month of this season.
Whether we’re talking injuries or ineffectiveness, situations arose with the parent club that lowered the curtain on the period of Class AAA growth for Devers and Chavis. Just when PawSox fans were starting to get to know each player, they were removed from the equation and wound up never to be heard from or seen around these parts ever again.
With Dalbec, it just feels different. For starters, he doesn’t seem to have a clear path to the majors. Again, this is where Devers and Chavis figure prominently.
Devers is having an MVP-type season. Defensively at third base, he’s done his best to silence the doubters. Chavis has more than held his own in what’s turned out to be his rookie MLB season. Entering Sunday, he’s appeared in 47 games at first base and 40 games at second – two positions he barely touched while coming up through the minors.
With Devers and Chavis entrenched atop, PawSox followers shouldn’t have to worry when it comes to Dalbec breezing in and out of this Triple-A town. The smart money is on him remaining in Pawtucket for the season’s final four weeks and opening the 2020 season with the minor-league team he ended the 2019 campaign with.
From an observer standpoint, it will be nice to track the progress of a Red Sox farm hand who comes to Pawtucket with a well-established reputation. It’s something we haven’t been able to say in recent years. We’re welcoming them and saying goodbye to them in one fell swoop.
With 110 strikeouts and a .234 batting average with Portland, it would appear Dalbec has some hitting issues that need addressing. After collecting a solid hit in his first at-bat Sunday, he struck out on a 97-mph pitch, then later in the game expanded the zone on an 83-mph offering The third strikeout was the result of a swing-and-miss on an 80-mph pitch.
“It’s about getting reps and continuing to get better every single day in an effort to become more consistent,” said Dalbec.
With a crowded situation above him, one of the crown jewels in the Red Sox farm system figures to get plenty of chances to smooth out the rough edges in Pawtucket. That would certainly represent a refreshing change of pace.