Potential Red Sox Game-Changer Takes Big Step Forward Monday; Could He Be On Way To Club?

Boston may get Mondesi back sooner rather than later

The Boston Red Sox have plenty of upside but injuries may be what causes the team the most harm in 2023. 

At this point in spring training, everything seems to be going well. All-Star hurler Chris Sale seems to be in a good place, James Paxton is healthy for the first time in years, and a few others -- like Tanner Houck -- are operating at full strength. Things are looking up for the Red Sox but after so many injuries in 2022, there are certainly reasons to be wary. 

One player the Red Sox have to keep a close eye on is former Kansas City Royals infielder Adalberto Mondesi. The speedster is dynamic when he's healthy, but like so many other members of the club hasn't been. Mondesi did take a positive step forward, though, and participated in his first on-field batting practice since tearing his ACL last season Monday, according to The Athletic's Chad Jennings. 

"Adalberto Mondesi walked onto a back field at JetBlue Park on Monday and stuffed a bright blue infielder's glove into a brand-new Red Sox bag," Jennings said. "He pulled out a pair of red batting gloves and grabbed a black bat. He then stepped into the cage for his first real batting practice in 10 months."

Mondesi didn't stop there and even took part in some fielding drills once his batting practice ended. 

"On Monday, he did his usual cage work, then took his four rounds of batting practice before taking a few groundballs at shortstop," Jennings said. "Assistant general manager Eddie Romero watched from the dugout while multiple coaches stood on the field. One muttered the word 'smooth' to no one in particular." 

Mondesi played in just 15 games in 2022 but could be a game-changer for Boston this season if he's healthy. He likely will pencil in as the everyday second baseman when he's healthy and provide the team with a stolen base threat they haven't had in a long time. Mondesi recorded 24 thefts in 2020 in just 59 games and led the league the year prior with 10 triples in 102 games. 

The 27-year-old has played in just 50 games over the last two seasons but before injuries derailed his career showed immense potential. His bat has always been solid and he's slashed .244/.280/.408 throughout his career but when he's been able to get on base he is a threat. Defensively, he has proven that is at least an above-average middle infield defender. 

Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom wouldn't rule Mondesi out for Opening Day but said it would be unlikely he would be ready. It sounds like Mondesi still is pushing for it, so who knows, maybe he will be. 

Whenever Mondesi eventually is ready to take the field for Boston if he's healthy, he certainly could help the team in many ways. 

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