The Boston Red Sox are enveloped in a dreadful month of July, posting a 6-16 record while falling to last place in the American League East. It's clear they need a shot in the arm.
While that boost would ideally come on the pitching staff -- Boston has allowed 156 runs in the month, an average of 7.09 per game -- as the Major League Baseball trade deadline approaches on Aug. 2, they may be able to find a boost out of one of their own prospects: Triple-A Worcester catcher Ronaldo Hernández.
"Looking at Hernández's numbers before the three-hit performance, he appears to be a totally different hitter," MassLive's Katie Morrison wrote Monday. "Before May 24, he slashed .128/.157/.209 in 23 games. After May 24? He's hitting .358 with seven home runs and 18 doubles."
Hernández has caught fire over the last two months, with MLB.com naming him a player to keep an eye on after his strong start to July.
Hernández was acquired in February 2021, arriving from Tampa Bay with current Triple-A Worcester infielder Nick Sogard for pitchers Jeffrey Springs, Chris Mazza and cash. The 24-year-old quickly made his way to Triple-A, joining Connor Wong as the battery pack for Chad Tracy's WooSox.
While Kevin Plawecki has a firm hold on the No. 2 catching job in Boston behind Christian Vázquez, both players are due to hit free agency following the season. Allowing Hernández, who is on the Red Sox's 40-man roster, a crack at the major leagues can only serve to help him moving forward. Who knows, it may even help the struggling Red Sox.
