Bobby Dalbec Is Having A Better Season Than Many People Might Recognize
By Michael Hurley, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- Everybody may owe an apology to Bobby Dalbec.
He entered the season as a 25-year-old-rookie, penciled in to play out of position, for a team that wasn't expected by many to contend for a playoff spot. He's since become a 26-year-old power hitter who's taken significant strides forward defensively while helping to keep the Red Sox very much alive in the hunt for a wild-card spot.
Considering that Dalbec struggled in the field (he primarily played third base throughout his minor league and collegiate career, only playing sporadically at first base), and considering he batted under .200 for a month-plus stretch in June and July, Dalbec caught quite a bit of heat from local fans and media for not being capable of contributing for a playoff team.
Since then, though, Dalbec has been on a special sort of roll.
He smashed an opposite-field solo home run on Tuesday night to tie the game in Seattle at 2-2, a game which the Red Sox would go on to win. It was Dalbec's fourth home run in his last six games, and his seventh extra-base hit in his last eight games.
On the season, he's now up to 22 home runs on the year, with 18 doubles, five triples, and a .786 OPS. Since Aug. 5, though, he's been nothing short of incredible, batting .330 with 11 homers, six doubles, two triples, and 32 RBIs for a 1.177 OPS.
In doing so, he's found himself joining some rather elite company with some of his accomplishments, all of which have been documented by the Twitter account, @SoxNotes.
The latest one was this:
Fewest games to reach 30 career HR (Red Sox):
— J.P. Long (@SoxNotes) September 15, 2021
1. Walt Dropo – 121
2. Tony Conigliaro – 131
3. Bobby Dalbec – 143
4. Ted Williams – 144
But there have been many more. Most of them would surprise a lot of people -- especially if those people stopped paying attention to Dalbec during his midsummer slump.
Red Sox since 2000 to record 3+ RBI in 3 consecutive games:
— J.P. Long (@SoxNotes) August 15, 2021
Manny Ramirez (2006)
David Ortiz (2009)
Bobby Dalbec (2021)
In his last 3 games, Dalbec is 7-for-11 with 6 XBH and 11 RBI.
Bobby Dalbec is only the 11th Red Sox rookie to hit more than 20 HR in a season. Most recently:
— J.P. Long (@SoxNotes) September 11, 2021
Bobby Dalbec (2021) – 21
Brian Daubach (1999) – 22
Nomar Garciaparra (1997) – 30
Jim Rice (1975) – 22
Fred Lynn (1975) – 21
Bobby Dalbec is only the 7th Red Sox player ever to reach 25 career HR in 130 games or fewer:
— J.P. Long (@SoxNotes) August 29, 2021
Bobby Dalbec
Ted Williams
Tony Conigliaro
Brian Daubach
Walt Dropo
Dick Gernert
Norm Zauchin
Among AL players with 50+ plate appearances in August, Bobby Dalbec ranked 1st in OPS (1.205), 2nd in OBP (.431), 2nd in SLG (.774), and 8th in AVG (.339).
— J.P. Long (@SoxNotes) September 1, 2021
Bobby Dalbec's last 5 hits:
— J.P. Long (@SoxNotes) September 11, 2021
Double
HR
HR
HR
Triple
Highest OPS since July 31:
1. Bobby Dalbec – 1.198
2. Bryce Harper – 1.189
Highest wRC+ since July 31:
1. Bobby Dalbec – 211
2. Bryce Harper – 202
(min. 100 PA)
Highest slugging % in the American League since July 31:
— J.P. Long (@SoxNotes) September 10, 2021
1. Bobby Dalbec (BOS) - .744
2. Hunter Renfroe (BOS) - .683
3. Ryan Mountcastle (BAL) - .647
In that time, Dalbec also leads the AL in OPS (1.152) and wRC+ (201).
Min. 100 PA
Bobby Dalbec's MLB rankings since Aug. 1:
— J.P. Long (@SoxNotes) September 3, 2021
213 wRC+ (1st)
.434 OBP (7th)
.758 SLG (3rd)
1.192 OPS (3rd)
21.7 barrel % (3rd)
Min. 75 PA
As you might expect, some of those hits were absolutely tattooed, as well:
Bo(m)bby Dalbec ???? pic.twitter.com/IQJ17xIM3Q
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 29, 2021
Demolished by Dalbec. pic.twitter.com/8UlpCJNWIQ
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 14, 2021
Dalbec got ALL of that baseball. pic.twitter.com/BJ8xQ9rBtY
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 31, 2021
It is, quite simply, an impressive turnaround for Dalbec, who's become a steady presence in the lineup. It's also a story in perseverance and a dedication to improvement, characteristics that are invaluable in a sport with 162-game seasons.
So while Dalbec may not quite reach the levels of Ted Williams or David Ortiz in his career, the fact that he's found himself among some elite company for his production at this stage of his career provides a lot more promise than many would have anticipated or even believed at various points throughout the season, it's worth shining a little light on as he continues to produce for a team that refuses to bow out from the fight for a playoff spot.