2014 First-rounder Michael Chavis promoted to High A Salem

SoxProspects.com Executive Editor Chris Hatfield is reporting that third baseman Michael Chavis has been promoted to High A Salem. Boston’s 2014 first-round pick, Chavis has hit .244/.321/.391 in 74 games with Greenville this season and is the organization’s 13th-ranked prospect on SoxProspects.com. 

Chavis joins a Salem squad that has already clinched a playoff berth by virtue of its first-half division championship. With Rafael Devers already patrolling Salem’s hot corner, Chavis will likely split time with the Dominican slugger at that position and get at-bats as a designated hitter. 

The promotion may be a bit surprising to some, as it comes amid a long slump for Chavis, who has hit just .184 in August and has failed to match his early-season success since spending six weeks on the DL after spraining a ligament in his thumb on April 23. The injury derailed what had been a promising start to the season in which Chavis was hitting .356 with three home runs in 15 games. Since returning from the DL on June 7, he has hit just .214/.296/.341 with five home runs in 59 games. After improving his strikeout rate early in the season, he has whiffed 64 times in 247 plate appearances (26%) after striking out just 10 times in his first 65 trips to the dish (15%)

With Chavis having now logged more than 900 plate appearances for the Drive over the past two seasons, the organization likely felt a new challenge was appropriate. He has hit 24 home runs, 40 doubles and four triples in 183 games in Low A. Although Chavis has "above-average-to-plus raw power," as noted by SoxProspects.com Director of Scouting Ian Cundall a month ago, Chavis repeated the level to start this year after striking out in more than 30 percent of his plate appearances last season.

Salem outfielder Danny Mars will head to the seven-day disabled list to make room for Chavis. Mars fouled a ball off his foot last Tuesday and has not played since. For their part, the Drive will activate right-handed starting pitcher Daniel Gonzalez from the temporary inactive list to fill the vacated roster spot, quelling any speculation that Lowell third baseman and 2016 draftee Bobby Dalbec, who has hit 6 home runs in 23 games for the Spinners, might be called up to take Chavis' place.

Photo Credit: Michael Chavis by Kelly O’Connor

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