Have a day, Christian Koss.
The Boston Red Sox improved their spring training record to 2-0 on Friday with a 7-6 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at JetBlue Park, and Koss made a strong impression on manager Alex Cora by blasting two home runs, including a walk-off shot over the replica Green Monster at Fenway South.
“He’s another one of these kids, you see him, he’s athletic, stronger than what he looks,” Cora told reporters, per MLB.com. “Good moves, great defender. We actually have him rated very high at shortstop. Just a ballplayer. He knows the game. He’s one of those kids, just like Marcelo (Mayer) and (Nick) Yorke, leaders on the field. He communicates well. He’s not afraid.”
Koss’ first home run came in the eighth inning and pulled the Red Sox to within a run. He then followed up in the ninth inning by lifting a 3-2 offering over the left field wall.
To make matters even cooler: Koss’ father filmed his son’s power outburst, with NESN cameras even showing Dad right before the game-winning homer.
Of course, wins and losses don’t mean much during spring training, a time for players to prepare for the upcoming season. But Koss, a 24-year-old infielder acquired from the Colorado Rockies in December 2020, certainly made the most of his opportunity Friday, and that’s no small development when trying to carve a path to the majors.
SoxProspects.com lists Koss as the No. 31 prospect in the Red Sox system.
