Boston Red Sox
“‘Well, Abreu is going to hit 30 homers this year.’ Like this is a given.”
Alex Cora believes the Red Sox have plenty of power within their lineup. AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
The 2026 Red Sox boast plenty of upside, especially with younger players like Roman Anthony poised to build off the promise they showcased last summer.
But, FanGraphs isn’t all that confident in Boston’s lineup and its ability to launch pitches into the Green Monster seats this season.
FanGraphs’ 2026 ZiPs projections for the upcoming season have zero players in the Red Sox lineup expected to hit 20 or more home runs in 2026 — a serious concern for a Boston club that was largely pedestrian last year when it came to generating power at the plate.
Those projections had Trevor Story, Anthony, and Wilyer Abreu tabbed with 18 home runs this season, with Willson Contreras, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Jarren Duran all projected at 17 dingers apiece.
Count Alex Cora among those who think that his ballclub should have no issue with knocking the ball out of the park this season, especially in regards to one outfielder.
In the latest “Baseball Tonight Podcast” episode, ESPN baseball scribe Tim Kurkjian revealed in a conversation with Cora that the Red Sox manager believes Abreu will surpass 30 home runs this season.
“I talked to Alex this spring for an extended time, and we’re just talking about his team, and he just volunteers: ‘Well, Abreu is going to hit 30 homers this year.’ Like this is a given,” Kurkjian. “I mean, you look at how much better he’s gotten each year.
“He’s been in the big leagues and won a Gold Glove each of the last two years. [Cora] said,’ Oh, he’ll hit 30 this year.’ And when you watch him against Japan, and then you watch him [Tuesday vs. Team USA], who is going to question that now? And you’re right, that’s why the Red Sox are a very dangerous team — because they have a few players like Wilyer Abreu.”
Beyond his value as an elite defender in right field, Abreu has plenty of upside with his production at the plate.
After slugging 15 home runs as a rookie in 2024, Abreu swatted 22 homers and drove in 69 runs in just 115 games last season. Had he avoided an extended stint on the IL, Abreu could have either come close or cleared that 30-homer threshold last summer.
So long as Abreu can avoid the injury bug this season, there’s a lot to like about what Abreu can provide Boston as a featured bat in its lineup moving forward. Abreu showcased some of that power during the 2026 World Baseball Classic for Team Venezuela.
Abreu closed out the international tournament with two home runs, connecting on a three-run shot against Japan in the quarterfinal round before hitting a solo shot against the U.S. in the championship game. He closed out the WBC with seven RBI for the eventual champions.
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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