GLENDALE, Ariz. — Having his longtime hitting guru Marcos Hernandez round this spring was a bonus for Jose Abreu.
Abreu has all the time spoken effectively of Sox hitting coach Todd Steverson and assistant hitting coach Greg Sparks, however he’s not the one pitcher or hitter who leans on a personal teacher or one other voice within the group. For Paul Konerko, it was Mike Gellinger. For Abreu, it’s Hernandez, who goes again to Abreu’s taking part in days in Cuba.
“Yes, absolutely,” Abreu mentioned via translator Billy Russo. “I had an concept about the way to do issues, however Marco found out the way to put these concepts into observe. It clicked with me and I used to be capable of execute that plan.’’
Abreu has by no means been a dead-pull hitter, however he used the center and reverse sides of the sector loads this spring. He hit 4 homers, together with two to proper subject in a single sport towards the Reds Wednesday night time.
Jose Abreu throws a ball to followers throughout a spring coaching baseball sport towards the Cubs Friday, March 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
“I’ve been utilizing the identical routine I started with within the offseason,” Abreu mentioned, “and my approach is to keep my arms inside the ball to put the barrel on the ball and make solid contact. That was my goal and key here in spring training.”
Signed to a six-year, $68 million deal in October, 2013, Abreu has been a examine in regular energy manufacturing, with house run/RBI totals of 36-107, 30-101, 25-100, 33-102 and 22-78 whereas posting a profession .295/.426/.621 hitting line.
The solely factor stopping him from one other 25 and 100 or extra season in 2018 have been two freak setbacks, present process an emergency process for a testicular torsion after which affected by an an infection on his thigh from an ingrown hair follicle.
“Last year was tough, and for the organization it wasn’t good because I didn’t play all the games I usually play,” Abreu mentioned. “This yr I’m prepared to hold this crew once more and do the issues I do know I can do.’’
Abreu, 32, can grow to be a free agent after the season, and whereas a brand new deal or an extension doesn’t line up with the Sox’ plan to put money into a younger core throughout their present rebuild, he’s each a fan favourite revered and beloved by the Sox – entrance workplace and proprietor included.
“We all love Pito,” supervisor Rick Renteria mentioned.
And Abreu says he loves the Sox and desires to stay one. What they do with him can be a narrative line value watching in 2019, particularly because the July 31 commerce deadline attracts close to.
None of the above has affected Abreu this spring. He led the crew in at-bats (62) and hit .319 with 4 homers, 4 doubles and a team-high 17 RBI.
“Every year you come to spring training eager,” he mentioned. “Last yr was a troublesome one, however on the finish of the day you don’t must show it to anybody else.’’
Even in a down yr for him – profession lows in common (.265) on-base proportion (.325), homers (22) and RBI (78), Abreu gained the Silver Slugger Award as the perfect hitting first baseman within the American League and made his second All-Star crew, honors earned by his repute and previous manufacturing as a lot as something – amongst AL gamers since his first season, Abreu ranks second in extra-base hits (339) and is third in doubles (180), whole bases (1,502) and RBI (488).
And this yr, it gained’t harm having Eloy Jimenez batting someplace close to him for defense.
“The lineup goes to be method higher,” Abreu mentioned. “The young guys have a year of experience. The new guys, [Yonder] Alonso, Eloy, we have a lot of talent. We’re ready for a good season. It’s going to be a fun season.”