Wilyer Abreu

Abreu was limited to 115 games due to oblique and calf injuries, the latter costing him a month late in the season, and he also frequently sat against left-handed pitching. His production remained similar to the previous year, with increased contact but diminished authority. Because he's a pull-heavy fly ball hitter, he doesn't fully benefit from the Green Monster, and Fenway's deep right field further suppresses his power. He earned a second straight Gold Glove, and the club reportedly plans to reward his defense with more starts against southpaws, which should improve his counting stats but may drag down his batting average. Even so, if he maintains his improved strikeout rate while regaining exit velocity and using the opposite field more often, he may be able to minimize or even reverse any decline in average. Read Past Outlooks