How new Red Sox 2B Luis Urías impressed Alex Verdugo, Jarren Duran in WBC

BOSTON — Despite spending his entire career in the National League before being traded to Boston earlier this week, new Red Sox second baseman Luis Urías already knows a couple of his new teammates well. In March, Urías played for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic alongside two Red Sox outfielders, Jarren Duran and Alex Verdugo.

With Mexico making a surprise run to the WBC semifinals, both Duran and Verdugo got a long look at Urías, who was coming off a strong two-year stretch in Milwaukee during which he hit .244 with 39 homers, 122 RBIs and a .766 OPS in 269 games. In the tournament, he played in all six of Mexico’s games, going 5-for-18 (.278) with a homer, four RBIs and two walks.

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Urías was an under-the-radar pickup on a quiet deadline day for the Red Sox but is expected to get significant run at second base down the stretch after Christian Arroyo was designated for assignment Friday. Boston is banking on Urías’ upside. Both Verdugo and Duran think there’s plenty of it.

“I played against him too in the National League. It’s someone who’s got power. He can hit the ball out of the park,” Verdugo said Wednesday in Seattle. “He’s just a good player, man. He’s got tools. Shortstop is kinda taken with us but he’s a good infielder and he can play third, he can play second, he can play short. He gives you some versatility. He has power. I haven’t really seen too much of him this year but from what I remember, he’s got tools and he can play.”

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“He’s just a really good player,” Duran said. “He’s really quiet but he always goes about his business really good. I’m happy to see we’re going to get him.”

The 26-year-old Urías lasted just one game with Milwaukee before hitting the injured list with a hamstring strain, then struggled to a .145/.299/.236 line in 20 games before being optioned to Triple-A on June 29. He didn’t hit much in Nashville either and the Brewers, who have Brice Turang and Willy Adames up the middle, saw him as expendable piece as the deadline approached. Seeking a buy-low addition, the Sox shipped righty pitching prospect Bradley Blalock to Milwaukee for Urías, who is earning $4.7 million this season and is arbitration-eligible through 2025.

At best, the Red Sox have a player who can plug in at second base for the foreseeable future. At worst, they can non-tender Urías this winter. In the eyes of chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, it was a gamble worth taking. Duran concurred.

“He has done it in the past. This year, he has just been hurt,” Duran said. “They know what he can do. We all trust Chaim. He’s looking out for the team and wants to help us put together a good team. I’m excited to see what he can do.”

Urías provided Mexico with one of its best moments from this year’s World Baseball Classic. In the semifinals against Japan on March 20, Urías broke a scoreless tie with a three-run homer off right-handed phenom Rōki Sasaki in the fourth inning on March 20. While Japan ultimately won, 6-5, the blast created an electrifying atmosphere at Marlins Park.

“He had a home run against Japan to take the lead,” Duran said. “I know he’s been hurt this year but he’s a good player and I’ve seen what he can do. I’m excited.”

Both Verdugo and Duran both laughed about Urías’ unique stance, which includes Urías leaning far back before the pitch is delivered. Verdugo joked that Urías must have one of the strongest cores in baseball.

“There have been some uncomfortable ones that I’ve seen,” Duran added. “Whatever helps him feel comfortable in the box. Some people are just different than others. Whatever works for him.”

Both outfielders think their new Red Sox teammate might be able to take people by surprise in the final two months of the season.

“It’s a good pickup,” Verdugo said. “This is a guy that, when he’s right and he’s clicking, he can really help.

“For him, maybe a fresh start is what he needed.”