CINCINNATI — Michael Chavis grabbed his phone, noticed the Boston area code and felt a little confused. The Red Sox had traded Chavis to the Pirates minutes before last Friday’s deadline in exchange for reliever Austin Davis. What could anyone from there want now?
After answering the call, Chavis learned it was actually Pirates general manager Ben Cherington on the other end, wanting to re-introduce himself and also wish Chavis well with his new organization.
Cherington, of course, was in charge when the Red Sox drafted Chavis in the first round (26th overall) out of Clemson in 2014, and the GM watched as Chavis enjoyed a stellar run through the minor leagues.
“Just from that conversation, I could tell that he still believed in me, and that was something that really meant a lot,” Chavis told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by phone on Thursday. “Knowing that this team believes in me and that I’m going to get opportunities, I’m really excited to be here.”
That phone call — and that relationship — could help Chavis get his career on track. If there’s anybody who knows the once-highly-ranked prospect, both what he can do and what makes him tick, it’s Cherington, dating back to his time as general manager of the Red Sox.
A 5-foot-10, 210-pound infielder who was drafted as a shortstop and has ample experience at the other three spots, Chavis led all Red Sox minor leaguers in home runs in both 2015 (16) and 2017 (tied with 31) while hitting a total of 47 homers in 193 minor league games from 2017-19.
Cherington watched from afar (though still in the AL East with Toronto) when Chavis burst onto the big league scene. When he entered the 2019 season as Boston’s No. 2 prospect, per Baseball America, and proceeded to hit .254 with 10 doubles, a triple, 18 home runs and 58 RBIs in 95 games as a rookie that year.
“He's got really good power,” Cherington said minutes after the trade deadline had passed. “He's been a good hitter since he was in high school, and obviously getting to know him back then, there's some defensive versatility there.
“We're looking forward to getting Michael over here, maybe a bit of a fresh start for him coming out of the organization that drafted him originally, but looking forward to reconnecting with him and getting him in a Pirates uniform.”
The issue with Chavis, of course, is that he didn’t have much opportunity in Boston, and the sporadic playing time limited his success at the plate.
At the time of the trade, Chavis had split 2021 between Boston and Class AAA Worcester while hitting just .190 with four doubles, a triple, two home runs and six RBIs in 31 games with the Red Sox.
The lack of production ultimately squeezed Chavis out of a spot, a step backward after he started 40 of Boston’s 60 games in 2020.
“That was one thing that was kinda tough in 2020 as well as this season; I didn’t really get a whole lot of opportunities to play,” Chavis said.
The difficulty there involved getting enough out of cage work and finding a way to translate that swing into game reps. Clearly that did not happen as much as Chavis or anyone would have liked.
But it’s clear that both Chavis and Cherington believe he still has what others saw in 2019. The difference remains opportunity and the chance to play every day, which Chavis should get in Class AAA Indianapolis. In his first two games there, Chavis collected three hits in seven at-bats, including a pair of doubles.
Chavis said he knows a couple people with the Indians — Cole Tucker from a Perfect Game event in high school and Steven Wright from their time together in Boston’s system. He and Anthony Alford share an agency. Class AAA Indianapolis hitting coach Jon Nunnally also worked in Boston’s minor league system and spent some time around Chavis.
The conversations with Nunnally so far have been less about mechanics and more about Chavis’ approach at the plate. Trying to do too much has always been something Chavis has had to battle, and the desire to make an impression with limited chances only exacerbated the situation.
“He’s the man,” Chavis said of Nunnally. “Talking to him [Wednesday], I cannot wait to get going with him again. I do feel like my swing is in a good spot and has been. It’s more what I’m trying to do with the ball and the approach to the at-bat.
“A lot of the issues come from me trying to do too much instead of getting my pitch to hit. It’s been more about mindset and approach. That’s exactly what I need, and I’m excited to get more of that.”
Chavis could also use some routine at this point. He was traded while on the road with the Red Sox, in Tampa, Fla. He flew directly to Des Moines, Iowa, and has been working remotely to procure housing in Indianapolis and figure out what to do with his place in Boston.
Chavis’ fiancé, Sarah Esposito, has been living there and packing with Charlie, their Great Dane Lab Mix, and Chavis can’t wait to eventually have everyone under one roof.
“We’re just trying to figure it out as we go,” Chavis said. “I feel like I’ve been on the road for so long. I miss everybody.”
In the meantime, Chavis will get a chance to play every day, something he didn’t always get in Boston. And if he produces, there’s also a good chance the Pirates will be able to find a spot for him at the major league level as well.
“I know I’m going to have an opportunity to play here,” Chavis said. “Everyone has been incredibly open and friendly and wanting to help. It’s been incredible, and I’m really excited to get going.”
TOP 10 REPORT
Numbers through Thursday’s games
1. Nick Gonzales, 2B, High-A Greensboro: Has turned it on in the second half, hitting .348 with a .937 OPS over his past 17 games, which includes four doubles, a triple, two homers and 11 RBIs.
2. Quinn Priester, RHP, High-A Greensboro: Went a season-high seven innings last Thursday. He’s 2-0 with a 2.20 ERA, a .179 batting average against and 37 strikeouts in 41 innings over his last eight starts.
3. Oneil Cruz, SS, Class AA Altoona: Has not played since June 30 due to right forearm soreness. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Cruz is progressing and working through a throwing program. He’s supposed to start hitting this week.
4. Liover Peguero, SS, High-A Greensboro: Homered in four straight games last week (five home runs total). Hitting .342 with a 1.180 OPS over his last nine games, though just .261 and .776 for the season.
5. Hudson Head, OF, Low-A Bradenton: Homered this week and is tied with teammate Jase Bowen for the fourth-most in the Low-A Southeast this season with 11. Average (.214) remains on the low side.
6. Tahnaj Thomas, RHP, High-A Greensboro: Looks like the mechanical work he did helped. Earned his first win of the season Sunday, giving up three earned runs over five innings, striking out five and walking one. That’s his only walk in his past three starts.
7. Tucupita Marcano, INF, Class AAA Indianapolis: After going hitless in his first seven at-bats, has started to produce more and have better at-bats, hitting .333 over his past five games while striking out just twice in 23 plate appearances.
8. Brennan Malone, RHP, FCL Pirates: Was moved from Low-A Bradenton to rookie ball for developmental purposes in May. Had allowed four runs over 3 2/3 innings before the move. Sustained a “mild” right shoulder injury, too, but is now throwing side sessions again.
9. Travis Swaggerty, OF, Class AAA Indianapolis: Will be out for the remainder of the season after undergoing right shoulder surgery in May.
10. Cody Bolton, RHP, Class AA Altoona: Likely will not pitch this season after undergoing right knee surgery at the beginning of the season.
Other notables:
• Recently promoted to Class AA Altoona, Matt Fraizer’s 1.158 OPS in July was the highest among all MiLB players with at least 125 plate appearances.
• Po-Yu Chen has allowed just one earned run in his first four starts (16 innings) and ranks second in the Florida Complex League in ERA (0.56).
• In his first two Florida Complex League games, 2021 first-round pick Henry Davis is 3 for 7, with two doubles, a home run and four RBIs.
• Bouncing back and forth between Class AA and Class AAA this season, left-hander Cam Vieaux is 5-0 in his last six starts, producing a 2.32 ERA while allowing a .188 batting average against. He’s walked eight and struck out 30 in 31 innings.
• Jack Suwinski, an outfielder acquired in the Adam Frazier trade, was hitting .346 through his first seven games with Class AA Altoona. Meanwhile, his .954 OPS ranks third among all Class AA hitters.
Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.
First Published: August 6, 2021, 4:30 p.m.