The Boston Red Sox have been a disappointment, which is the term used in polite company. When it reaches the stage of death threats, the situation goes from frustrating to dangerous. The roster has collected its fair share of diamonds in the rough, or hidden potential not yet realized. The latest is Abraham Toro, who has an MLB history that screams Quad-A.
Toro was a depth filler assigned to Worcester for a breakglass to use the moment Triston Casas sustained a season-ending injury. Toro’s MLB history is with several teams before Boston signed the 28-year-old switch-hitter, and it was a fortuitous move, especially when Romy González also departed for the IL.
The results have been positive, with Toro even tossing an inning in a laughter game. The power occasionally shows, and the fielding is not a disaster. Manager Alex Cora is judicious enough to use Toro, so as long as he hits, he’ll play and be part of the first base rotation. Toro is slashing .319/.333/.514 with three homers and seven RBI in 22 games.
The Casas situation also brought forward 28-year-old Romy González, whom Boston had selected off waivers when the White Sox sent him packing. He slashed .222/.239/.361 over his three seasons with Chicago.
Red Sox getting surprising production from Abraham Toro
In Boston, that changed when the right-hander hit .266 with six home runs in 2024. This season, González settled in at the first base rotation until the IL intervened. Will Toro or González duplicate the Red Sox’s current premier diamond in the rough?
Rob Refsnyder is everything you would expect from a competent fourth outfielder. Like Toro, he had an extensive MLB resume until he came to Boston — a right-handed bat with respectable power and decent defensive acumen. Refsnyder has become the type of player who doesn’t miss a beat when he is inserted into the outfield rotation.
Refsnyder thrived off lefty pitching until 2024 when he hit .267 off righties. His numbers are even better this season, and he is topping his numbers against lefties. If the 34-year-old were 10 years younger, management would toss Refsnyder a long-term deal.
The Red Sox have also been fortunate to collect other semi-diamonds, usually via trade. Wilyer Abreu, David Hamilton, Carlos Narváez, and Greg Weissert have been solid and often surprising contributors, but none have the track record of disappointment elsewhere.
