Michael Chavis

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #2 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Chavis struggled early in his pro career before a breakout 2017 campaign in which he hit 31 homers to vault near the top of the system. However, an 80-game suspension for a positive PED test in 2018 raised significant questions. Once on the field, Chavis looked like a better prospect than he had in 2017, showing both better defense at third base and a more controlled effort level at the plate.
  
  Scouting Report: Early in his career, Chavis would sell out to get to his significant pull power, but he has learned to stay back on pitches and drive the ball from right-center field to the left-field foul line. He generates considerable power from his compact frame even while continuing to live with swing-and-miss in order to get there. Chavis has improved his conditioning and athleticism since turning pro, allowing him to stay at third base, though evaluators express uncertainty about his future position. He could see time in left field, and some in the organization want him to try second base.
  
  The Future: Profile remains the big question for Chavis. He appears capable of playing the corners and delivering platoon impact--if not more. He likely will open 2019 at Triple-A Pawtucket.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #2 prospect in 2018
  After struggling in 2015 and 2016 with a crude offensive approach and injuries, Chavis made a concerted effort to address those concerns in 2017. He took extensive notes about everything from his pregame routine and pitch-by-pitch sequences of his plate appearances, starting in spring training. That meticulous approach set the stage for a breakout season in which Chavis blasted 31 homers to rank fifth in the minors) and 68 extra-base hits (third), marks that had several evaluators identifying him as the system's top prospect.Chavis uses phenomenal bat speed and a strong core to generate standout power from his compact frame. While he proved hyper-aggressive in his attempt to drive the ball 600 feet in previous years, he showed a greater commitment to maintain his balance, stay back and drive the ball to all fields in 2017, particularly at high Class A Salem. That approach led to both a career-low 21.6 percent strikeout rate and impressive displays of in-game power. Defensively, Chavis likewise made significant improvements to the point that many evaluators now believe he can be playable at third base. Chavis has middle-of-the-order power, though his relatively low walk rates (7.4 percent in 2017) suggest more of a future No. 6 hitter in the mold of a Mike Moustakas than a No. 3 or 4 hitter. Even though he had balanced left/right splits in 2017, some evaluators wonder whether he'll end up being a platoon contributor. With Rafael Devers at third base, the Red Sox exposed Chavis to first base in the Arizona Fall League, and he also has the potential to add left field and perhaps second base to the corner infield positions. His spring training will dictate whether he opens 2018 at Double-A Portland or Triple-A Pawtucket.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #11 prospect in 2017
  The Red Sox challenged 2014 first-rounder Chavis with an assignment to low Class A Greenville in 2015. He hit for power but little else, so Boston had him repeat the South Atlantic League in 2016. Initially, the results suggested the possibility of a breakthrough. Chavis showed an ability to stay back on pitches and drive them to all fields with plus power, hitting .356/.415/.576 in his first 15 games of April. However, that early progress stalled when he sprained a thumb ligament that sidelined him for the next two months. When Chavis returned, he was unable to sustain the same approach that had proven so effective early, and he regressed to the pull-heavy, all-or-nothing form he showed in 2015 en route to a .237/.313/.372 season between Greenville and a season-ending seven-game cameo at high Class A Salem. Though his short, compact frame is atypical for third base, Chavis continued to make steady defensive strides to the point where some evaluators can now project him as a potentially average defender with an arm that may grade as a tick above-average, though some wonder if he faces a move to left field. He is likely to return to Salem to start 2017.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #10 prospect in 2016
  Despite questions about his future position, Chavis was drafted 26th overall in 2014 on the strength of his loft power. True to form, he led the Red Sox system with 16 home runs at low Class A Greenville in 2015, though he also led the organization with 144 strikeouts and hit just .223. Chavis features bat speed that generates plus raw power that plays as average in games. Some evaluators felt he cheated on fastballs in an effort to demolish them, and in the process became completely vulnerable to breaking balls. Chavis himself acknowledged the need to establish and refine his offensive approach and recognize pitches--something that he never required in high school. His short, thick frame is atypical for a third baseman (he more often evokes Dan Uggla comps), but he worked hard and showed defensive gains over the course of the season. Some evaluators would like to see him try second base or left field, and he will need to manage his size to maintain the necessary agility to contribute defensively. The struggles Chavis went through in 2015 were the most severe of his baseball life, but he showed improvement, leading to hope for further future gains. For all the questions about his overall profile, his plus power potential comes with a mandate for patience as he advances to high Class A Salem in 2016.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #11 prospect in 2015
  Selected 26th overall in 2014 and signed for $1,870,500, Chavis adjusted to pro ball after a slow initial start. With a thick, compact frame that is likely close to maxed out, Chavis generates tremendous bat speed. While he will swing and miss, he has a chance to hit 20 or more homers. A high school shortstop, Chavis embraced his first prolonged exposure to third base enthusiastically, and that's where he's expected to spend 2015 as he competes for a spot at low Class A Greenville. He has an above-average arm and the short-area quickness for third. Several Red Sox officials consider second base is his best fit, though first base or left field also are possibilities given his plus raw power. If his bat develops, Chavis will profile at any position, particularly if he remains under control instead of swinging for oncoming traffic.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #26 prospect in 2014 draft
  As many of the toolsy high school position players raise questions about their hitting ability, the players that teams are confident will hit have moved up draft boards, and Chavis is one of the better bats in the class. He has a chance to go in the first round, a testament to his consistency as a 5-foot-10, 192-pound righthanded hitter. Chavis has tremendous strength through his hands and wrists and produces plus bat speed from a short, compact stroke. He hit consistently on the showcase circuit, including sending a 94 mph fastball from Touki Toussaint right back up the box at East Coast Pro. He has plus raw power that translates to game action. Currently a high school shortstop, Chavis will likely move off the position as a pro. Third base remains his most likely destination because of his first-step quickness, body control and above-average arm. Catching is an option and he has the necessary physical attributes, but he has spent limited time behind the plate. He has slightly above-average speed that will likely settle in around average with his strong, compact build. The Clemson commit is a high-effort, gamer who endears himself to scouts with his style of play, and scouts lauded his work ethic.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Eastern League #13 prospect in 2017
  Portland didn't have to wait long after Rafael Devers was promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket to find a replacement at third base. Chavis got the bump from high Class A Salem on June 22 and immediately made an impact. Chavis swatted 14 home runs in half a season in Double-A and finished the year with 31, tied for fifth place in the minors. His power is obvious, but managers around the league did find holes in his swing. In particular, they noted a weakness on hard stuff inside and offspeed pitches in general, which could compromise his chance to hit for average. Chavis has improved defensively at third base but is not a lock to stick there despite having arm strength suitable for the position. Given his background as a shortstop and his athleticism, he faces a possible move to second base.
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  Ranked Carolina League #11 prospect in 2017
  After spending 2016 splitting time with Rafael Devers at third base at high Class A Salem, Chavis was on his own back there to begin this season. With everyday playing time came production and a quick return of some of the prospect sheen he'd lost. Already praised for his ability to hit premium fastballs, Chavis worked hard with Salem to get better at doing the same to offspeed pitches. Specifically, he tried to reduce his tendency to drift forward early and get out in front of those pitches. He already shows well above-average power, and his 17 homers were fourth in the Carolina League despite playing just 59 games. He was also one of just nine players this season with more than 30 home runs. Defensively, he has a chance to stick at third base with continued work. If not there then some evaluators suggested that the athletic ability that allowed him to play shortstop at high school could prompt a move to second base.
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  Ranked Florida Complex League #9 prospect in 2014
  After signing with the Red Sox for $1,870,500 as the 26th overall pick, Chavis went 8-for-56 (.143) in July to begin his career. Once he settled down, he hit .372/.430/.590 in 22 games in August, showing why he was one of the top prep hitters in the 2014 class. Strong hands and wrists help Chavis generate plus bat speed. With his short, simple swing, he can catch up to premium velocity. His swing features loft and he flashes plus raw power that he taps into during games, though he hit only one home run in 39 GCL games. Early in the season, he expanded his strike zone, but once he settled down and stopped chasing high fastballs, he began driving the ball with more authority to the middle of the field. Chavis has a strong, compact frame that isn't typical for a shortstop, and while his tick above-average speed is surprising for his build, scouts expect him to slow down. He played shortstop in high school, but in the GCL he looked more natural at third base, where his range is better suited. He has good body control and a strong arm, so the Red Sox haven't ruled out shortstop or second base.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #85 prospect in 2018

• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  After Chavis emerged as a potential everyday corner bat on the strength of a 31-homer breakout season in 2017, his prospect standing was thrown into question when he was suspended for a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance that left him sidelined for 80 games to start this year. Chavis insists that he never knowingly took a PED, and that his positive test during the Arizona Fall League didn’t reflect on what he did during last season, but he’s also aware that performance is the only possible rebuttal to suspicions that his 2017 surge was PED-fueled.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: After struggling in 2015 and 2016 with a crude offensive approach and injuries, Chavis made a concerted effort to address those concerns in 2017. He took extensive notes about his pregame routine and pitch-by-pitch sequences. That approach set the stage for a breakout season in which he blasted 31 homers to rank fifth in the minors. Scouting Report: Chavis uses phenomenal bat speed and a strong core to generate standout power from his compact frame. While he proved hyper-aggressive in his attempt to drive the ball in previous years, he showed a greater commitment to stay back and drive the ball to all fields in 2017. That approach led to both a career-low strikeout rate and impressive displays of in-game power. Defensively, Chavis likewise made significant improvements to the point that many evaluators now believe he can be playable at third base. The Future: Chavis has middle-of-the-order power, though his relatively low walk rates suggest more of a future No. 6 hitter. With Rafael Devers at third base, the Red Sox exposed Chavis to first base in the Arizona Fall League. His spring training will dictate whether he opens 2018 at Double-A Portland or Triple-A Pawtucket.