Though productive, Ryan Fitzgerald still has not had an opportunity to display his talent with the big league club. It is an injustice that can be remedied with a September call-up. That proposal will not be easy, however.
Deserving of a September Call-Up Ryan Fitzgerald Waits
He has demonstrated on more than one occasion that he deserves at least an opportunity with the big league club. During Spring Training in 2022, Fitzgerald showed off a penchant for power. He hit four home runs in only 16 at-bats. Fans thought, eventually, if not in 2022, then assuredly by 2023 Fitzgerald would get a call up. Yet, it is nearly September and Ryan Fitzgerald has watched as he has been passed over by teammates in Worcester. Other Major League clubs and minor league affiliate players have been called up over Fitzgerald as well.
WooSox lineup in their series finale with Rochester:
Ceddanne Rafaela SS
Yu Chang 3B
Enmanuel Valdez 2B
Bobby Dalbec RF
Stephen Scott C
Ronaldo Hernandez DH
Ryan Fitzgerald LF
Niko Kavadas 1B
Bradley Zimmer CF
Brandon Walter P— Chris Henrique (@ChrisHenrique) August 27, 2023
Fitzgerald and the Red Sox
In addition to Fitzgerald’s spring training campaigns of 2022 and 2023 where it looked as though he would make the Opening Day roster, he has also had a highly productive 2023 in Worcester. Fitzgerald is batting .289 with 11 home runs, and 58 RBI. Fitzgerald also plays a variety of positions including outfield and middle infield, yet has been passed over by WooSox teammates. Those teammates include Enmanuel Valdez, David Hamilton, and Bobby Dalbec. He has also watched the Boston Red Sox acquire Pablo Reyes from the Oakland A’s, and promote him to the Major League roster. Fitzgerald also saw the Red Sox acquire Luis Urias at the trade deadline this season.
Ryan Fitzgerald’s Future with the Red Sox
It is not likely that Fitzgerald will return to the Red Sox organization next year. Many players that have produced as well as Fitzgerald that have not gotten a chance to prove themselves at the big league level would not come back either. For Fitzgerald, it is surely frustrating to know that even though he produced and at the least, deserved a chance to prove himself at the Major League level, the Red Sox have not obliged. Fitzgerald will likely catch on with another organization. It is an opportunity he is looking for at the Major League level, he would be wise to seek out organizations who have a young roster where he could have an opportunity to contribute.
Overseas
There may be another route that Fitzgerald could take to make his Major League dream come true; playing overseas. Playing in Japan or Korea may be the best opportunity to prove he belongs with a Major League club. Fitzgerald would not be the first player to prove his worth in either country. Going to play overseas is arguably viewed as more competitive than playing at the minor league level in the US.
Takeaway
It is expected that he will not be back with the Red Sox organization next year. To get his chance in the major leagues, Fitzgerald should either sign with an organization with relatively young players on their Major League roster or attempt to prove his worth by playing overseas in either Japan or Korea. Regardless, people are rooting for Ryan Fitzgerald because he has done everything he possibly can to prove he deserves a chance at the Major League level.
Main photo credits:
WooSox/Ashley Green / USA TODAY NETWORK
