By Matt McCarthy, 985TheSportsHub.com
Much has been made about Red Sox hitting prospect Bobby Dalbec’s power, and he showed flashes of that pop in the Red Sox spring training opener against Northeastern Friday afternoon in Fort Myers.
Have you met @BobbyDalbec?
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) February 22, 2019
Let us introduce you. #SoxSpring pic.twitter.com/KvGhxDCp5Q
Dalbec’s solo home run came in Boston’s 6-0 victory over the Huskies.
Dalbec was named the number one prospect in the Red Sox farm system entering 2019 by Baseball America and 98.5 The Sports Hub. He was one of the most prolific power hitters in the minor leagues in 2018.
The 2016 fourth round pick out of Arizona saw the early part of his career slowed by a broken bone in his wrist. 2018 was his coming-out party, setting a single-season record with 26 home runs at Single-A Salem before being promoted to Double-A Portland, where he hit six more homers in 29 games.
The concern with Dalbec remains his strikeouts. He struck out 176 in 521 plate appearances in 2018.
Talent evaluators peg Dalbec as a good defensive third baseman. He saw some time at first base in the Arizona Fall League as the Red Sox look to find him as many potential paths to the big leagues as possible.
Dalbec is a non-roster invitee to spring training with the big league club. He is expected to start the year at Double-A Portland or Triple-A Pawtucket.
You can hear Matt McCarthy on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s own Hardcore Baseball podcast and on various 98.5 The Sports Hub programs. Follow him on Twitter @MattMcCarthy985.