Boston Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu has won two Gold Gloves at his position in his first two MLB seasons.
Even so, Abreu is moving to left field for Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic to accomodate Ronald Acuña, Jr., who is more comfortable in right.
Speaking about the position change recently, Abreu showed that he's a team-first guy.
“If I had to play shortstop in the WBC, I would,” Abreu said, per The Boston Globe's Tim Healey. “I just want to win and help the team and help the country.”
Wilyer Abreu (2X Gold Glove in RF) on having to move to LF in the WBC to accommodate Ronald Acuña Jr. playing RF for Team Venezuela 🇻🇪
— Matthew Crory (@matthewcrory) February 20, 2026
“If I had to play shortstop in the WBC, I would,” Abreu said. “I just want to win and help the team and help the country.”
per @timbhealey pic.twitter.com/1fHuwtMKfr
Abreu delivered a solid 2025 campaign for the Red Sox, continuing his emergence as a reliable outfielder with strong defensive skills and notable power. In 115 games (417 plate appearances), the left-handed hitter posted a .247 batting average, .317 on-base percentage, and .469 slugging percentage for a .786 OPS.
He launched 22 home runs—his career-high in a single season—and drove in 69 runs while scoring 53 times and stealing 6 bases. Injuries, including an oblique strain earlier in the year and a right calf issue that sidelined him for about a month starting in mid-August, limited his playing time, but he returned late in September to finish strong.
Abreu's standout contribution came on the defensive side, where his elite arm and range in right field earned him his second consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Award in the American League following the season. Advanced metrics backed up his glove work, and his performance reinforced his value as a cornerstone in Boston's outfield.
In his Red Sox career so far, Abreu has accumulated a .256 batting average, 39 home runs, 141 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases across 848 at-bats and 275 games. His career OPS sits at .791, with a 3.2 WAR in 2025 adding to a total around 7.3. After a brief but impressive 2023 debut (.316 average in limited action), he built on a 15-homer 2024 by increasing his power output despite the injury setbacks.
Entering 2026 spring training, Abreu remains a key piece for Boston, with the team committing to giving him more opportunities against left-handed pitching to boost his overall contributions. His blend of power, defense, and youth positions him well for continued growth in the Red Sox lineup.
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