Surprising Red Sox Prospect Shining In Big League Opportunity; Is He Next Young Star?

The Boston Red Sox have dealt with a plethora of injuries so far this season. 

Boston entered the 2023 season with plenty of questions swirling around about the club's middle infield. With Xander Bogaerts leaving in free agency and Trevor Story missing time due to injury, the Red Sox looked different heading into the season. 

The Red Sox entered the season with Enrique Hernandez and Christian Arroyo as the club's expected starters with Yu Chang coming off the bench, but the club has dealt with even more injuries. Arroyo and Chang currently are on the injured list which has paved the way for young prospect Enmanuel Valdez to get an extended opportunity with the big league club and he's certainly making the most out of it so far. 

Valdez has appeared in 11 games so far this season for Boston and is slashing an impressive .324/.342/.486 to go along with one home run and six RBIs. His defense was shaky to begin the season, but he has improved at second base already. Valdez has added three doubles and three steals, so far this season, as well. 

The fact that Valdez has been able to help out at the big league level certainly is a welcomed sight. Valdez is just 24 years old and was acquired by the Red Sox from the Houston Astros in 2022 in the deal for catcher Christian Vazquez. The second baseman impressed in spring training and led some to wonder if there was a chance that he could take over the club's starting second base position, at least until Story returns. Although he wasn't able to win the job, he has shown that he can not only play at the big league level, but at a high level. 

Boston -- who already has surprised people so far this season -- is going to need Valdez to keep up this level of play. Arroyo, Chang, Story, and Adalberto Mondesi all are on the injured list so Valdez is going to continue to get a chance to show what he can do.