The Boston Red Sox rookies are leading the WAR race among all rookies, with three Sox players being the top three. Wilyer Abreu is the leader with a 2.9 WAR, David Hamilton at two with 2.6 WAR, and Ceddanne Rafaela tied at third with a 2.5 WAR.
Abreu has been a top contender for Rookie of the Year this whole year, and his stats back it up. As a rookie, he is slashing .270/.388/.474/.862 with 14 homers and 30 doubles. He also has been a great glove in right field, snatching up a lot of balls with jumps and dives.
Hamilton is seeming like an answer at second base, a position the Sox have been trying to fill since Dustin Pedroia’s career-ending injury. While he may become a utility man later on, he is doing great at second. He is slashing .248/.303/.395/.697 with eight homers, and he has 33 stolen bases.
Rafaela has been a late game hero, and a great defender. He has made outstanding plays at both shortstop and center field, and his bat has been explosive in late-game situations. He is slashing .256/.286/.404/.690 with 14 homers, 20 doubles, and 17 stolen bases.
Rafaela will be the sole rookie starting tonight, playing shortstop in the second game against the Detroit Tigers at 6:10pm EST.
American League rookie WAR leaders (position players):
1. WILYER ABREU (BOS) 2.9
2. DAVID HAMILTON (BOS) 2.6
T3. CEDDANNE RAFAELA (BOS) 2.5
T3. Colton Cowser (BAL) 2.5(Baseball-Reference WAR)
— J.P. Long (@SoxNotes) August 30, 2024
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