I buy this set every year, although it has been shrinking. For the second year in a row, there are just ten cards in this set, along with a parallel. Here is the set this year:
1. Rafael Devers. Of course Devers is in the set, as the biggest star on the team. Devers has been hurt a bit, but has continued to put up big-time hitting numbers. He has even improved defensively.
2. Masataka Yoshida. This was my parallel and it is serial-numbered to 99, so that was not terribly exciting for me. It is the most common parallel.
3. Triston Casas. Unfortunately Casas has been dealing with a rib injury for most of the season. He has been a decent, if not particularly great, hitter when he's been healthy. Hopefully he bounces back next season. There is still time for him to go on a hot streak this season though.
4. Ceddanne Rafaela. One of my favorite rookies, Rafaela signed an extension earlier this season. Hopefully he can cut down on his strikeouts, but he is already an extremely valuable player.
5. Masataka Yoshida. It will be interesting to see if Boston hangs on to Yoshida next season. He can hit, but doesn't add much else. He does not seem to be a favorite of manager Alex Cora, who won't give him a chance in the outfield and benched him for several games at one point without any real explanation. I really like Yoshida, but he doesn't offer much flexibility for the roster.
6. Vaughn Grissom. The biggest disappointment on the team is Grissom, who was acquired in a trade with Atlanta for Chris Sale, who looks like he will win the Cy Young this season. Grissom has played in just 23 games with Boston and hit .148 with no power. Hopefully he can turn it around next season, but David Hamilton turned in a nice season and probably deserves the second base job until Kristian Campbell is ready.
7. Tyler O'Neill. 2021 was Hunter Renfroe. 2023 was Adam Duvall. This year Tyler O'Neill could be a right-handed power-hitting outfielder that turns in just one season. O'Neill has hit 27 home runs so far this season, but has been on the IL several times. With Roman Anthony knocking at the door and an already crowded outfield with Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran and Ceddanne Rafaela, it doesn't make a lot of sense to bring O'Neill back next season.
8. Trevor Story. Story played just a handful of games, then went on the IL. It was thought his season was over, but he made it back with about 20 games to spare. Hopefully he can show enough to justify his spot next season. He has had a lot of difficulty staying on the field in his three seasons in Boston.
9. Brayan Bello. Bello has been inconsistent this season. At times he has looked like a future ace. At others he has been maddening. Bello signed a big extension, so he will be around for awhile, but he needs to work on his command and on not getting too worked up after a mistake. He seems to get upset when something bad happens and fall apart.
10. Wilyer Abreu. Abreu should be one of the leaders in the Rookie of the Year vote, but he seems to be getting completely ignored. He has been very good this season on both sides of the ball.
11. Jarren Duran. More than anything, this has been the year of Duran. He has become the best overall player on the team and currently leads the league in doubles and triples while putting up a 20/20 season. He has an outside shot at 200 hits and a 10.0 WAR season. He could also win a Gold Glove. On top of everything, he won the All Star Game MVP. He has had a simply incredible season.
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