Longest Red Sox Home Run This Year Belongs To Unsung Utilityman

Romy Gonzalez, come on down! The Boston Red Sox utilityman hit his fourth home run of the season in Monday’s 9-3 win over the Colorado Rockies. And here’s the best part: the eighth-inning blast to Fenway Park’s center field traveled an estimated 454 feet, making it the longest home run hit a Red Sox player this season, according to Masslive.com’s Christopher Smith.

“I was on deck and that was pretty sick,” rookie Roman Anthony said, per Smith. And remember, Anthony is no stranger to long balls after hitting a 497-foot grand slam last month for Triple-A Worcester.

“He’s great to hit behind,” Anthony continued. “When you have him in front of you, you probably have a runner on base a lot of the time. He’s awesome. He’s just an awesome player, awesome person. So it’s fun to watch.”

Smith reports Gonzalez’s home run ball had an exit velocity of 111.1 mph.

The 28-year-old is crushing left-handed pitchers this year, slashing .400/.452/.754 with four home runs and 16 RBIs in 65 at-bats. He’s slashing just .250/.254/.375 with no home runs against right-handers in 64 at-bats.

“It’s kind of bad that I almost like expect that from him when a left-handed pitcher’s up because he’s been so amazing this year,” Anthony said, according to Smith.

“Tremendously locked in,” Gonzalez said, per Smith when asked about hitting lefty pitchers. “Me and Rob (Refsnyder are) constantly grinding, working together.

“Before I got over here, obviously my career was not great,” Gonzalez continued. “I wasn’t proud of it by any means. And ever since I got over here, just working with the hitting guys and Rob, it’s been tremendous for my career and it’s been awesome.”

The Red Sox claimed Gonzalez off waivers from the Chicago White Sox ahead of the 2024 season. In three seasons with Chicago, Gonzalez batted .222 with a WAR of -0.7. In less than two seasons with Boston, Gonzalez is hitting .290 with 1.9 WAR.