A few months back Pablo Reyes couldn’t even crack the lowly Oakland Athletics’ roster.
Now he’s the last man standing in the Red Sox middle infield.
Reyes survived yet another roster cut on Tuesday as Yu Chang was designated for assignment to clear space for returning shortstop Trevor Story. He previously earned the nod over Kiké Hernández and Christian Arroyo, the club’s opening day starters at shortstop and second base, and now it appears Reyes will be Boston’s primary reserve infielder for the rest of the season.
It’s a remarkable turn for the career journeyman, who has emerged as an unlikely difference-maker since his arrival in mid-May.
“Controls the strike zone, hits the ball hard, good baserunner, good defender, he can hit lefties,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Overall a good pickup by the front office. They recognized him in a time that we were looking for a middle infielder that can help and since he got here the at bats have been good, the approach we really like, he’s very patient, he swings at the right ones and that’s always good.”
Reyes still being here at this point would have seemed unlikely not long ago, but the 29-year-old has earned his place. Though his biggest contributions have come on defense, Reyes has also been surprisingly productive at the plate. Entering Tuesday he was batting .312 with a .773 OPS in 33 games, and Monday he delivered perhaps the biggest hit of the season, crushing a liner off the left field foul pole for a walk-off grand slam.
“From the beginning, coming here when I came here, everyone here treated me like I was part of the family from day one,” Reyes said via translator Daveson Perez. “I never felt uncomfortable being in this clubhouse and (Monday) night was incredible.”
Though Cora said his walk-off had no bearing on Tuesday’s roster decision, it was hard to imagine Reyes getting the boot after that. Putting the grand slam aside, Reyes still went 3 for 4 on Monday with three runs scored, and his fellow infielders described him as an energetic clubhouse presence who’s capable of excelling in any role.
“His confidence is honestly contagious,” said first baseman Triston Casas. “Just the way he goes about his at bats you’d think he’s 6-5, 270.”
Even with Story back in the picture Reyes is expected to see plenty of playing time. He will start at shortstop whenever Story isn’t in the lineup and he’ll see regular time at second base, particularly when a lefty is on the mound. The club is also comfortable playing him in the outfield, but no matter what’s asked of him Reyes said he’ll do anything to help the Red Sox win.
“I’m just a sponge listening to everything the staff has to say, any tips they have that will make me better after a game,” Reyes said. “If I didn’t play well and coach has some advice or things I could do better, I go home right after the game, I write it down so I don’t forget, and I come the next day and work on those things.”
As for if he feels any sense of satisfaction for what he’s already accomplished, Reyes said nothing has changed for him.
“My mentality has always been the same, whether I’m playing or not playing, I’m focused on the moment,” Reyes said. “I come in here and I work, I work hard every day, I don’t take anything for granted and that’s never going to change.”