The Boston Red Sox have a lot of promise entering the 2025 MLB season. Individuals around the roster have a lot of potential, and one of those players is the Red Sox catcher.
Connor Wong has shown great potential in his first four years with the Red Sox, but there is still room for improvement.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora identified a key area he needs to improve upon.
According to Masslive.com, Cora mentioned how Wong needs to improve his receiving, as Wong was in the ninth percentile in framing among catchers.
About Wong’s catching ability, he said that Wong “cannot lose strikes.”
One of the ways Wong can improve his catching and framing ability is by being more assertive with his moves. Cora said that Wong “looks more athletic” and “seems like more conviction with the moves” regarding his receiving.
The message for Cora was on Wong’s athleticism. He wants Wong to be more athletic behind the plate. Cora called Wong “a freak athlete.”
Cora wants to see more from Wong, starting with utilizing his freak athleticism.
The main goal is to keep strikes as strikes, and not lose any strikes.
With an improved receiving game behind the plate, utilizing his “freak” athleticism, Wong can cut down on losing strikes.
Wong has shown his ability to “steal” strikes, but the critical thing for Cora is not to lose strikes.
“I know we can steal strikes. But if we don’t lose strikes, we’re going to be in a good spot,” Cora said.