BOSTON — Red Sox rookie Wilyer Abreu has struggled offensively here late in the season, going 11-for-62 (.177 batting average) in September.
But his defense hasn’t slumped at any point this season.
“Obviously my defense for me has been the big thing. It’s been the thing that’s always been a constant,” Abreu said through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez on Friday. “On the offensive side, obviously I had some success but I also had some ups and downs. And I struggled a little bit. But that’s something that happens. So for me to be able to contribute in all other aspects of the game was huge.”
Abreu is a strong candidate to win a Gold Glove award. He has 16 defensive runs saved in 903 ⅓ innings in right field. He’s tied with Milwaukee’s Sal Frelick for the most defensive runs saved among major league right fielders (minimum 750 innings).
Abreu and Frelick are behind only Toronto’s Daulton Varsho (28) and Boston’s Jarren Duran (23) for most defensive runs saved among all major league outfielders. So the Red Sox potentially could have two Gold Glovers in Abreu and Duran.
“If it happens, it’s a huge honor,” Abreu said. “At the same time, it wasn’t a goal for me this year. The goal for me this year was to go out and try to help the team in any way I can. And I was able to do that. So if that award comes, I’ll be very happy. But at the same time, it wasn’t something that was on my mind.”
Abreu has posted such strong metrics playing his home games in one of the most spacious and challenging right fields in baseball.
“I enjoy it. I definitely enjoy it,” Abreu said. “I obviously got used to playing this right field very fast and all the challenges that come with it. At the same time, I enjoy being out there with the fans. Every time you’re out there with the fans pretty close to you, they cheer for you and they always try to support you. So for me to play in right field at Fenway Park is very nice.”
Abreu learned at an early age to take pride in his defense.
“Since I was playing Little League baseball back in Venezuela, they always told me that the offensive side always comes with ups and downs and there’s some things you can’t control but the defense is definitely something you can control,” Abreu said. “And sometimes even if you’re not producing offensively, you always have a chance to help the team on the defense. So for me, that’s been my mindset since I’ve been a little kid all the way until right now. That’s something I can control. If it’s something I can control, I’m going to do my best.”
