Are Red Sox Seeing Best Version Of Trevor Story Yet?

BOSTON — After an encouraging start to the 2025 season, Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story has hit a wall offensively for Boston.

Story is in a slump that is hard to ignore — batting just .167 in May, and an even more concerning .122 in his last 82 at-bats since April 22.

While the numbers make it hard for fans to understand why Story has not been benched in favor of top prospect Marcelo Mayer, Red Sox manager Alex Cora is encouraged by what they saw at the plate from Story in Friday’s 4-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

“Actually, yesterday, we felt better,” Cora said before Saturday’s game at Fenway Park. “He fouled off a ball towards our dugout on a fastball that was basically down the middle. He’s just missing his pitches.

“That’s the bottom line. I know he’s swinging a lot, but he’s getting pitches in the zone and he’s fouling them off. … Sometimes he’s in 2-0 counts, and then they buried him. Early on, he wasn’t doing that. He was actually connecting and driving the ball hard, and lately he hasn’t had that.”

After playing just 69 games across the last two seasons with Boston, Story has appeared in 43 of the 46 Red Sox games. However, Cora doesn’t believe being an everyday player has affected how Story has been batting.

“No, no, no. I think it’s just adjustments during the game,” Cora said. “When he’s really good, he’s hitting the fastball. We know that. … He feels great. The bat speed is there. His hands are where they’re supposed to be. Everything looks okay. The only thing we’re not doing right now is hitting the ball forward. Physically, he feels great.

Cora was quick to point out that Story is not the only Red Sox player struggling at the plate.

“If you look at (Kristian Campbell), KC has struggled for 50 at-bats, and we’re not talking about that, right?” Cora said. “It’s a lot. Right now, I think offensively, we got some holes, and it’s not because they’re bad players or hitters. They’re just for a stretch here, and we just have to get them going.”