Red Sox's Pablo Reyes Did Something Never Done Before In MLB History

The versatile defender is fighting for his job

Scott Neville | Aug 8, 2023

Red Sox's Pablo Reyes Did Something Never Done Before In MLB History /

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Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox utility man Pablo Reyes had a lot on his plate entering Monday's game. He was in the starting lineup responsible for turning the tide after getting swept by the Toronto Blue Jays at home and had to fight for his job with the impending return of Trevor Story.

Reyes aided both pursuits and made Major League Baseball history in the process, not a bad way to start the week.

"Tonight Pablo Reyes of the Red Sox: collected 3+ hits, scored 3+ runs, had multiple extra-base hits, stole a base - hit a walk-off grand slam," OptaSTATS tweeted Monday after the game. "No other player in MLB history has done all of that in the same game."

Reyes had the big blast to put the Kansas City Royals down in the first of a four-game series, placing Boston five games back of an American League Wild Card spot. He also made it quite difficult for the Red Sox's front office to designate him for assignment.

Boston has to make room for Story on the roster, and it's likely either Reyes or fellow middle infielder/utility man Yu Chang. The latter is on the roster mainly for his defensive capabilities at shortstop, which will not be as prominent of an advantage when Story returns.

It appeared as if Reyes had the upper hand entering Monday but might have just sealed the deal. Reyes has the better bat (107 OPS+ to Chang's 44) and the ability to play outfield. Chang is the better overall defender but Reyes can slot in at more positions and is having a much better season.

The decision will be made prior to Tuesday's game, we'll find out soon enough.

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Published Aug 8, 2023

SCOTT NEVILLE

Scott Neville covers the Boston Red Sox for Sports Illustrated's new page "Inside The Red Sox." Before starting "Inside The Red Sox", Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate and current co-worker Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series" where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join the Sports Illustrated Media Group in his current endeavor as the publisher of "Inside The Red Sox." The successful launch and quick rise of "Inside The Red Sox" led to Neville joining the Baseball Essential ownership group, a national baseball site under SIMG. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: nevilles@merrimack.edu