In his rookie year, Triston Casas initially shared first base duties, predominantly facing right-handed pitchers while Justin Turner took over against lefties. However, as the season progressed, Casas found himself in the lineup against left-handed starters as well, a decision driven by the team’s strategic approach and the rookie’s developing skills.

Red Sox’ Wilyer Abreu triples against the Giants on April 30

Manager Alex Cora acknowledged the challenges faced when dealing with left-handed pitchers but emphasized the importance of letting Casas play and grow through the process. Similarly, Wilyer Abreu, another left-handed hitting rookie for the Red Sox, finds himself in a comparable situation this season. Despite his impressive performance, Abreu often sits when the team faces left-handed starters, with limited plate appearances against them.

Yet, Abreu’s stats paint a compelling picture of his impact on the team. Ranking fourth in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) among all Red Sox players, Abreu boasts solid offensive numbers, including a .283 batting average, .369 on-base percentage, and .496 slugging percentage. Moreover, his defensive prowess in right field adds significant value to the team’s daily performance.

Despite Abreu’s evident contributions, the team’s current plan is to continue platooning him, with Rob Refsnyder and Romy Gonzalez providing alternatives. Cora’s managerial approach leans towards platooning left-handed hitters due to the inherent challenges of facing left-handed pitchers. He remains confident that Abreu will eventually find success against lefties, citing past experiences with players like Casas and Rafael Devers.

Abreu’s performance against left-handed pitchers this season has been limited, but Cora expresses faith in his ability to adjust and succeed. Despite recent struggles at the plate, Abreu’s disciplined approach and ability to control the strike zone have impressed Cora, reflecting in his solid on-base percentage even during batting slumps.

Cora attributes Abreu’s smooth transition to the majors to his strong understanding of the strike zone, which has minimized the need for major adjustments. While acknowledging the challenges rookies face in adapting to major league pitching, Cora remains optimistic about Abreu’s potential, highlighting his composure and skill set in the batter’s box.