Wilyer Abreu DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu (illness) is still ill and unable to take the field. Abreu was able to do some work on Friday, but manager Alex Cora noted, "There's still something there." Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but the 25-year-old still has ample time to return to action before Opening Day. After appearing in just 28 games during the 2023 season, Abreu logged a career-high 132 contests during the 2024 season. Abreu held a .253/.322/.459 slash line with 33 doubles and 15 home runs. He swiped eight bags. Abreu generated an elite 50.5 percent hard-hit rate and drew walks at a strong 8.9 percent rate. When healthy, fantasy managers should expect the 25-year-old to be deployed on the strong side of a platoon in right field.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that outfielder Wilyer Abreu (illness) is sick but should be back on the field soon at spring training. Abreu heads into the 2025 season in Boston as their everyday right fielder against right-handed pitching after hitting .253/.322/.459 with a .781 OPS, 15 home runs, 58 RBI, eight stolen bases and 59 runs scored in 132 games and 447 plate appearances in his first full big-league season. The 25-year-old left-handed swinger had a weak .532 OPS against left-handers, though, and also struck out nearly 30% of the time against righties. However, he made up for it with impressed batted-ball metrics when he did make contact, and he also won a Gold Glove in right field. If Abreu can make more contact, he could improve his numbers across the board, but fantasy managers shouldn't count on it. He's outfield depth in deeper fantasy leagues.

The Boston Red Sox could be looking to trade outfielder Wilyer Abreu this offseason as they seek to upgrade their starting rotation. The primary reason that makes Abreu expendable is the fact that Boston is rich with young outfielders at the moment -- Roman Anthony is their top prospect, while Kristian Campbell is their No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- and they also have Jarren Duran and Ceddanne Rafaela. The Seattle Mariners are one team that would be interested in Abreu after he received some votes for Rookie of the Year in 2024. MLB Network's Jon Morosi also mentioned the San Francisco Giants as a potential good fit for Abreu. The 25-year-old Dominican also won a Gold Glove in 2024 while slashing .253/.322/.459 with 15 home runs, 58 RBI, eight steals and 59 runs scored in 132 games in his first full MLB campaign.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu will retreat to the bench for Thursday's series opener in the Bronx against the division-rival New York Yankees. Rob Refsnyder will make the start in right field for the BoSox and will hit third against Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes. Refnsyder will definitely be a sleeper to take a look at for DFS lineups on Thursday. He's hit .500 with a 1.188 OPS and an RBI in 16 career at-bats against Cortes and has hit .304 (38-for-125) on the year against southpaws, with eight of his 11 home runs coming against them. Abreu, 25, has struggled against lefties this year, slashing .177/.236/.275 with only one of his 15 homers coming against them in 51 at-bats. The Venezuelan outfielder is hitting .265 (93-for-351) overall in his first full season in the big leagues with 15 homers, 55 RBI and seven steals for Boston in 392 plate appearances.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu came ready to play during Sunday's game against the Texas Rangers. Abreu has been hot with the bat recently and that continued during Sunday's contest. He went 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs and four RBI in the 7-2 victory. Abreu has three long balls during the first three games of August. He is hitting well over .300 over his last 25 games or so. Fantasy managers in need of another bat should consider adding Abreu.