Trevor Story’s Red Sox resurgence has been a long and difficult journey marked by injuries and inconsistent performance since signing his six-year, $140 million contract with Boston in 2021. Struggling to stay healthy, Story managed only 163 games over three seasons from 2022 to 2024, falling short of expectations in both offense and defense during his early years with the team. However, recent months have shown signs that he may finally be living up to the value the Red Sox initially envisioned.

Past Struggles in Batting Performance

One of the concerns surrounding Story has been his offensive output outside of Colorado’s hitter-friendly environment. There, he earned All-Star honors and maintained strong stats, hitting .272 with an average of over 26 home runs per season. Yet, in Boston, his batting average dropped to .232, with only 21 home runs across three seasons and an on-base plus slugging (OPS) score declining sharply from .863 with the Rockies to .693 with the Red Sox. These struggles contributed to rumors that the Red Sox might consider designating him for assignment despite the heavy financial commitment remaining on his contract.

Manager Alex Cora reflected on Story’s difficulties earlier in the season, saying,

“It got to the point in May where you looked at him at the plate and it was like, ‘Oof – a non-competitive at-bat,’”

and added,

“It was. And he knows it. Now, you feel like something big is going to happen with every swing. The swing decisions are great. He’s going the other way. He’s been outstanding for us.”

Recent Surge Boosting Red Sox Playoff Hopes

After a slow start to 2024, Trevor Story has become one of Boston’s most productive hitters, significantly contributing to the Red Sox climbing the American League wild-card standings while maintaining pressure on the AL East-leading Blue Jays. Over his past 50 games, Story has hit .314 with a .353 on-base percentage and a .565 slugging rate, leading to an impressive .918 OPS. Defensively, his steady play at shortstop, combined with Alex Bregman’s presence at third base, has strengthened a defense that has often been criticized for inconsistency.

Story has primarily excelled hitting in the No. 4 and No. 5 spots in the batting lineup, amassing a team-leading 72 RBIs, which ranks seventh in the American League this season. His ability to drive in runs has become a critical component of Boston’s late-season surge.

Story Embraces Role as Key Run Producer

Acknowledging his responsibility in the middle of the batting order, Story has expressed a positive attitude toward his crucial role in generating offense. Although he has surpassed 100 RBIs only once before—in 2018 with Colorado—he appears comfortable and focused on delivering in high-pressure spots for the Red Sox.

He said,

“Hitting in the middle of the order, (knocking them in) is kind of your job,”

continuing,

“They get on base for you and it’s our turn in the middle of the order to cash those guys in. There’s times to take your shot. But yeah, it’s been fun coming through in those situations.”

Implications of Story’s Revival for Boston’s Season

Trevor Story’s recent resurgence offers the Red Sox a genuine boost as they vie for a postseason berth in 2024. His improvement at the plate and reliable defense provide stability in key areas where the team had struggled for years. If he maintains this level of play, Story could justify the significant investment and help Boston compete at a higher level in the near future. The ongoing momentum also signals that the team’s midseason struggles might be fading, setting up a critical stretch of games that could determine their playoff fate.