Wilyer Abreu has never been a top prospect. The Venezuela native had planned to sign with Boston in 2016, but the Red Sox were not allowed to participate in the international draft that year as punishment for violating international signing rules.
A year later, Abreu signed with the Houston Astros and played four-plus years in their minor league system, moving up to number 30 on their prospect rankings. At the trade deadline in 2022, the Astros sent Abreu and Enmanuel Valdez to Boston in return for Christian Vázquez. The trade was not viewed favorably in Boston (not in the clubhouse nor in Kenmore Square), as no one seemed to understand how the move made the team better. It didn’t much matter, as the Red Sox finished in last place that season. But it sure worked for Houston, as they won their second World Series in five years.
Meanwhile. Abreu reported to Double-A Portland, and began his career in the Red Sox organization. After playing 86 games at Triple-A Worcester in 2023, Abreu got his first taste of major league competition. In 76 at bats, he slashed .316/.388/.474, with two home runs, 14 RBI, and three stolen bases. Coming into the 2024 season, Abreu found himself listed as the Red Sox’ #6 prospect, whose quickness and canon for an arm made him a perfect fit for the capacious right field at Fenway Park
- OPS: .856 (1st)
- 2B: 24 (1st)
- Batting Average: .273 (4th)
- Home Runs: 12 (5th)
- RBI: 42 (7th)
But it was last Sunday afternoon when Abreu really made his mark. Late Saturday night, Abreu was informed his beloved grandmother passed away in Venezuela. The rookie didn’t share much with his team or his coaches about the death, his mental state, or how he was feeling upon arriving at Globe Life Field Sunday morning. Rather, he simply went out and had the first multi-home run game of his career, helping propel the Red Sox to a 7-2 victory. After the first homer, he wiped tears from his eyes in the dugout as he was consoled by players and coaches. His eyes were still red when he hit his second dinger, a three-run homer in the 6th inning, which blew open a 3-2 ballgame
