Enmanuel Valdez, who Boston acquired from the Astros in the Christian Vázquez trade at last year’s deadline, already is helping the Red Sox.
The 24-year-old rookie is 12-for-37 (.324 batting average) with a .342 on-base percentage, .486 slugging percentage, .828 OPS, one homer, three doubles, four runs, six RBIs and three stolen bases since Boston promoted him.
Wilyer Abreu, the other prospect from the Vázquez trade, might not be too far behind Valdez.
“In spring training, him (Valdez) and Abreu, they were really good,” manager Alex Cora said Sunday. “They caught my attention. I’m always paying attention to how Abreu is doing in Triple A and he’s doing a great job, too. At the end of the day, we made a decision and I think we got two good players.”
Cora added about Valdez: “This kid, he’s going to be here for a while. He’s going to play. We’ve just gotta help him to go through all this and help him defensively. But I think the bat is going to play.”
Abreu, who is on the 40-man roster, has gone 8-for-19 (.421 batting average) with a .458 on-base percentage and two extra-base hits in six games for Triple-A Worcester in May.
The 23-year-old is batting .303 with a .402 on-base percentage, .474 slugging percentage, .876 OPS, three homers, four doubles, 15 runs, 15 RBIs, 14 walks and 19 strikeouts in 21 games overall for the WooSox this season. The Red Sox named the outfielder, who has made starts in center, right and left this year, their minor league defensive player of the month for April.
Mayer goes 4-for-4
After going 3-for-6 with 5 RBIs Saturday, Marcelo Mayer remained hot Sunday. He went 4-for-4 with a homer, two doubles, three runs and two RBIs to lead High-A Greenville 7-3 over Asheville.
The 20-year-old left-handed hitting shortstop is ranked Boston’s No. 1 overall prospect. Baseball America ranks Mayer No. 9 overall on its Top 100 list.
He’s batting .337 (33-for-98) with a .414 on-base percentage, .582 slugging percentage, .996 OPS, four homers, 10 doubles, one triple, 17 runs, 23 RBIs, 13 walks, 24 strikeouts and four stolen bases in 23 games.
Yorke goes 2-for-4
Red Sox 2020 first round draft pick Nick Yorke reached base three more times Sunday in Double-A Portland’s 5-4 loss to Akron. He went 2-for-4 with a walk and RBI.
The 21-year-old second baseman is batting .291 with a .419 on-base percentage, .500 slugging percentage, .919 OPS, three homers, five doubles, two triples, 24 runs, 10 RBIs, 17 walks, 24 strikeouts and four steals in 23 games for Portland.
