Every year, there are high expectations for each player during Spring Training. Alex Cora was aware that would be the case for Wilyer Abreu, as he told Rob Bradford earlier this year on his podcast Baseball Isn’t Boring.
The Boston Red Sox outfielder had a breakout performance in the World Baseball Classic. He hit a go-ahead home run against Japan and then added another against Team USA in the championship game for Venezuela. His season has started very well, with six hits in 12 at-bats, including two home runs and two doubles. On Sunday, he was a triple shy of the cycle.
“I think he has a pretty good idea of who he is,” said manager Alex Cora to the reporters on Sunday. “Physically, I know there are a lot of people making a big deal that he looks different, but last year, you need to remember, he went through a lot in Spring Training and he was able to go out of the gates and swing the ball well. I think this is sustainable.”
There are a lot of people who have high expectations for Wilyer Abreu in 2026.
When the outfielder hit his home run against Japan, former Detroit Tigers slugger Victor Martinez approached him and told him something. The former catcher and designated hitter was part of the Venezuelan coaching staff.
“I told him he was good,” Martínez told El Emergente during the World Baseball Classic. “They need to believe it.”
Abreu confirmed that was the case.
“He told me he trusted me,” Abreu added. “And he was happy that I was able to show it—that I’m good at this and that I should trust what I’m doing.”
Earlier this year, the FanGraphs ZiPS system projected that no one in the Red Sox organization would hit 20 home runs in 2026. However, many believe that Abreu has the potential to reach 30 homers this season.
“I don’t set a goal or a number in my mind,” Abreu said in Spanish a few days ago. “Whatever happens, happens.”
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Wilyer Abreu has six home runs in the month of March (2025 and 2026 combined). He opened the 2025 season with a two-homer game on Opening Day. This year, he hit two home runs in the World Baseball Classic and added two more in the 2026 opening series against the Reds.
Photo: MLB.com
