BOSTON — The Pink Sox made some fairly substantial strikes this offseason, however don’t sleep on their motion on the margins.
Carlos Narváez might be a contributor in 2025.
No, there aren’t any main expectations on the not too long ago acquired catcher simply but, however there’s a spot to be carved out. Connor Wong is the one different catcher at present on the energetic roster, which ought to give the 26-year-old an opportunity to carve out a roster spot down in Fort Myers, Fla.
“(He’s a) bodily, sturdy child, good athlete, good framer,” Pink Sox supervisor Alex Cora mentioned on Saturday. “I talked to (Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone) about him. He actually likes him as an individual. He did an excellent job offensively in Venezuela. It is going to be good for him to get at-bats (in spring coaching) and let’s see.”
The Pink Sox acquired the backstop in a commerce with the New York Yankees again in December. Narváez was enjoying in a winter ball league on the time however rapidly returned stateside to affix his new crew at Pink Sox Rookie Improvement Camp, which happened this week in Boston.
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“It’s actually invaluable for him to be uncovered to our main league coaches for a bit bit, getting a really feel for the clubhouse,” Pink Sox senior director of participant growth Brian Abraham mentioned on Tuesday. “… He’s competing for a spot, positively. I believe he is aware of there’s a methods to go for him to enhance, however we’re giving him that probability to see who we’re, and what we’re all about as a company. It’s actually invaluable for him to see.”
Narváez slashed .254/.370.412 with 11 residence runs, 20 doubles, 58 RBIs, 54 runs, 56 walks and 105 strikeouts in 96 video games (403 plate appearances) for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2024. The Pink Sox aren’t leaning on him for his bat, nonetheless.
“I’m at all times tremendous targeted on protection,” Narváez mentioned on Tuesday. “It’s crucial factor, to serve my pitcher — to be there for them. I need to get them calls, whoever is on the mound, I need to get one of the best from him… It’s the very first thing we concentrate on once we practice, is receiving these pitches and framing these pitches.”
Narváez is a gifted framer, having thrown out 30% of base stealers in his eight-year minor league profession. Boston will hope he can convey that defensive excellence to a brand new group whereas serving to out a couple of pitchers he’s already acquainted with in addition to the a number of newcomers who have been added alongside him this offseason.
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“I already know a few guys,” Narváez mentioned. “(Garrett) Whitlock, we performed collectively a protracted, very long time in the past. (Richard) Fitts, too. I’ll be in Fort Myers early subsequent week, simply to be prepared to satisfy everyone. I’m there for them. I’m tremendous pumped to get began… Boston, we’ve bought some huge probabilities right here. It’s a particular factor, they’ve an amazing crew, so it’s such a blessing to be part of it.”
