The already young Red Sox core may have found another member.
Meet Michael Chavis, the power-hitting infielder who has turned heads and helped Boston overcome a shaky start since getting called up Apr. 19.
In just 22 games, he has 21 RBIs and seven home runs, along with a robust .296/.406/.580 slash line and .986 OPS, supplying punch at second base with Brock Holt and Dustin Pedroia both working their way back from injuries.
The 26th pick in the 2014 draft, the 23-year-old Chavis has helped the Red Sox rebound after a 3-9 start, lengthening an already deep lineup that is fifth in the American League in runs scored with 230. He won Wednesday game’s over the Rockies with a walk-off hit as the Red Sox enter Friday night’s ALCS rematch against the Astros having won eight of their last 10.
“He’s helped us a lot. It reminds me of Andrew McCutchen when he came up with Pittsburgh when I was there,” first baseman Steve Pearce told the Boston Globe. “You can see he’s not afraid and that he can hit. You want to see him at the plate.”