Bobby Dalbec hits first career dinger in Red Sox debut (Video)

Bobby Dalbec’s first career hit with the Red Sox was a two-run home run.

Red Sox’s prospect Bobby Dalbec has undoubtedly dreamed about his first major league hit. But he probably couldn’t have dreamed up the context on Sunday.

The infielder was called up to the majors by the Red Sox for Sunday’s game against the Washington Nationals after the team traded Mitch Moreland to San Diego. Dalbec made the most of his opportunity, producing that coveted first career hit in his second at bat.

That it came in front of an empty stadium instead of throngs of fans might have been a bummer. That it was a home run probably made up for that.

Bobby Dalbec’s debut with the Red Sox went perfectly.

Dalbec struck out swinging in his first major league at bat in the second inning, but the pressure was off when he returned in the third inning with the Red Sox up 6-2.

The 25-year-old made this swing count as his shot went 373 feet and into the right-field bleachers, scoring two runs to make it 8-2.

Boston used a fourth-round draft pick on Dalbec in 2016. He had played ball for the University of Arizona and helped the Wildcats make it to the 2016 College World Series.

Now their fourth-ranked prospect, Dalbec had a dream start to his MLB career. That start had been in doubt earlier this year. He tested positive for COVID-19 and had to be held out of training camp for more than a week this summer.

There was a chance Boston might want to delay his debut while he got back up to speed, but Aug. 30 turned out to be the exact right time for him.

Boston will hope the good vibes continue. It hasn’t been a happy 2020 for the Red Sox, who sit dead last in the AL East with an 11-22 record. Their hopes lay in the future, including prospects like Dalbec whose early showing should add some real confidence.