On March 20, 2022, the Boston Red Sox signed Trevor Story, a powerful shortstop known for his hitting and previous All-Star appearances. At 29 years old, Story had earned Silver Slugger awards and MVP votes in three seasons, making him appear as a crucial addition to the team’s hopes for a comeback. The Red Sox, recovering from their 2021 ALCS defeat to the Houston Astros, invested $140 million over six years in Story, anticipating that he would stabilize their infield and lead a 2022 revival season. However, the outcomes in the first years fell short of expectations.

Despite the high hopes, the Red Sox ended both 2022 and 2023 with a 78-84 record, ranking last in the AL East. The 2024 season showed mild improvement, finishing with an 81-81 record and third place, yet the team still fell short of contention. Meanwhile, Story struggled with injuries and inconsistent performance, limiting his presence on the field and frustrating fans who awaited a return on their substantial investment.

Trevor Story’s Injury Woes and Early Red Sox Struggles

Throughout his initial three years in Boston, Trevor Story faced recurring injuries to his hand, heel, elbow, and shoulder, leading to a total of just 163 games played between 2022 and 2024. This extensive time on the injured list cast doubts over his durability and value for the Red Sox. Even when healthy, his offensive production was underwhelming. Story’s average OPS during these seasons was .679, a steep drop from his previous .863 OPS with the Colorado Rockies. His Wins Above Replacement (WAR) also declined sharply, from an average of 4.9 in Colorado to just 1.3 in Boston, signaling a downturn in overall effectiveness. The early promise once associated with his signing was slipping away amid mounting frustration.

A Rocky Start to the 2025 Season

Entering 2025 fully healthy and without further stints on the injured list, expectations were cautiously optimistic for Story’s impact. However, his first three months of the season failed to impress. Through March, April, and May, he posted a disappointing .190/.237/.267 slash line, translating to a .503 OPS. Defensively, Story struggled as well, committing five errors during this period and appearing as a liability at Fenway Park’s critical shortstop position. His early season performance continued to shake Red Sox fans’ faith in his ability to rebound and contribute meaningfully.

Turning Point: The June Awakening

With the arrival of June, everything began to shift. On June 1, Trevor Story seemed to rediscover the form that once made him a standout player. By the month’s end, his slash line surged to .286/.327/.500, resulting in a .827 OPS, marking the best offensive outputs he had delivered all season. During 98 at-bats in June, Story tallied 23 RBIs, although he still struck out 27.6% of the time. More importantly, he committed zero errors defensively, showcasing a significant improvement at shortstop. For a player who some were calling to be removed from the roster, this revitalization was a sign of promise.

A Stellar July So Far

Story’s momentum carried strongly into July, where he looked as though he was reestablishing his pre-injury capabilities. From July 1 to July 13, he slashed an impressive .391/.417/.674, posting a 1.091 OPS, his highest since joining the Red Sox. He also drove in 12 RBIs over 46 at-bats and lowered his strikeout rate to 16.7%. Story accumulated 32 total bases in less than two weeks, eclipsing halfway points of his June production. Beyond batting, he displayed a renewed aggressiveness on the bases, successfully stealing 16 bases without being caught and taking leads larger than the league average. This new-found form injected energy into both Story’s game and the team’s outlook.

Factors Behind Story’s Revival

Red Sox manager Alex Cora highlighted a turning point during a road series against the Milwaukee Brewers, where Story’s hitting suddenly ignited. The shortstop focused on simplifying his approach to the game, improving his pitch selection and emphasizing mental clarity amid baseball’s inherent complexities. This strategy, though difficult to achieve, allowed Story to reset his mentality and regain control at the plate. As he embraced simplicity, his gradual improvement gained momentum, transforming him into a formidable offensive threat once again.

Defensive Progress Despite Physical Decline

While Story’s offensive resurgence is the headline, his defense at shortstop has shown signs of struggle compared to earlier years. With only one Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) this season and a negative two Outs Above Average (OAA) rating, his defensive metrics reflect a loss of range and quickness. These figures are notably lower than previous seasons, with OAA dropping four points from last year and ten points from the year before. Despite this, recent plays have indicated improvement. A standout moment came when Story chased down a hard-hit, 102.9 MPH ground ball and executed a leaping throw to first base, a defensive highlight celebrated by rookie teammate Marcelo Mayer.

Mentoring and Team Dynamics Impacting Story

Marcelo Mayer, who made his major league debut on May 24, has been closely working with Story during spring training and throughout the season. Their positive relationship offers both veteran leadership and emerging talent within the infield. Nevertheless, there has been speculation about Mayer potentially replacing Story, a notion fueled by Mayer’s promising performances and questions about Story’s consistency. These replacement rumors and questions from the media undoubtedly added pressure but may also have motivated Story’s recent surge.

The Role of the Rafael Devers Trade in Story’s Form

Another significant development coinciding with Story’s upswing was the blockbuster trade of Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants on June 15. Devers, a designated hitter for the Red Sox since 2025, clashed with management after the team acquired Alex Bregman, a Gold Glove winner and three-time All-Star third baseman. Devers, under a lengthy $331 million contract, refused to change positions, fueling internal tensions that culminated in the trade. Although direct causes are speculative, fans and analysts have noted a correlation between Devers’ departure and Story’s increased productivity, leaving one certainty: Story is capitalizing on his current momentum and should maintain this course.