​NEW YORK — Just a month ago, Anthony Seigler was an unknown quantity in the Red Sox organization. Brought to Boston as the third piece in the six-player trade that sent Kyle Harrison to Milwaukee for Caleb Durbin in mid-February, Seigler plodded well beneath the radar as the Red Sox staggered through the season’s first three months. A former Yankees first-round pick who debuted in the majors with a 34-game stint with Milwaukee last year, Seigler arrived at spring training with a knee issue and didn’t appear in a game before camp ended. He spent the first two weeks of the regular season in Fort Myers, ramping up for a potential assignment to Triple-A Worcester. In April, his bat lagged, and he appeared to be another low-ranking piece on a roster already stretched thin on the 40-man.
After a productive May for Worcester, Seigler earned his first call-up to the Red Sox on June 3, but he collected only four at-bats before being optioned back to Worcester six days later. On June 20, with de facto starting second baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa heading to the injured list, Seigler rejoined the major-league club in Seattle. In the three weeks since, the 27-year-old hasn’t looked back.
Seigler opened Friday’s win over the Mets by moving into position at second base when a line drive deflected off Juan Soto’s glove. He later helped seal the victory with a two-run homer off A.J. Minter in the seventh. The Red Sox have rattled off seven straight wins and 12 of 14 overall, and Seigler has emerged as a central figure in the surge.
“He’s been a huge lift,” interim manager Chad Tracy said. “He’s been huge for us.”
At the season’s outset, Seigler—who logged time at both second and third for the WooSox—found himself behind a crowded depth chart that included Marcelo Mayer, Caleb Durbin, Kiner-Falefa, Andruw Monasterio, and Nick Sogard. The Red Sox even preferred carrying three catchers over promoting Seigler while leaning on Mickey Gasper during a May hot spell. But circumstances shifted dramatically, and Seigler has seized the opportunity.
Since June 20, Seigler has started 18 of 19 games at second base for Boston, leading off in 10 of those contests (including the last six). He has offered solid defense at the position and injected energy with a dynamic, fiery style. Most importantly, he has produced with the bat. Entering Friday’s game, Seigler was hitting .292 with two homers, six doubles, a .477 slugging percentage, and an .855 OPS. He has surpassed every expectation.
“Every day’s a grind,” Seigler said modestly. “I’m just trying to put myself in a good spot to where everybody else behind me can succeed.”
Friday night underscored what Seigler has brought since his promotion. After a 24-hour travel delay that tested everyone’s patience, Seigler came through with timely hitting and steady defense, helping the Red Sox maintain their momentum and continue their climb in the standings.