Almost every time Alex Cora has been asked about rookie outfielder Wilyer Abreu since he debuted in the majors last fall, the Red Sox manager has said some variation of the same thing.

“He’s good, man. He’s really good.”

Abreu was impressive enough in his September cameo last fall that the Red Sox felt comfortable slotting him in as a regular rather than invest in a higher-priced veteran outfielder. At one point Red Sox chairman Tom Werner even highlighted Abreu as one of the players he was most excited to see in 2024, saying he was looking forward to him getting 400 at bats.

That decision looked questionable after Abreu struggled in spring training and through the first two weeks of the season, but now it’s looking like the club’s patience is paying off.

Amid all of the team’s injuries and lineup upheaval, Abreu has emerged as an all-around difference-maker for the Red Sox. The 24-year-old has established himself as a viable top-of-the-order hitter, and since April 11 he’s batted .352 with two home runs, 11 RBI, nearly as many walks (7) as strikeouts (11), and an OPS of 1.012.

He’s also made a habit of delivering highlight reel catches in right field, and on Sunday he came up with his best one yet, making a spectacular running grab in the corner to rob what would have been a sure double or triple.

“He’s a good player man, you guys are going to keep asking me and that’s going to be the answer,” Cora said following the game. “He’s a complete player and he’s a joy to watch.”

Originally acquired at the 2022 trade deadline in the Christian Vazquez trade, Abreu was never regarded as a top 100 caliber prospect but always boasted some intriguing tools. In 2022 he was one of only five players in the minors to draw more than 100 walks, and he also hit 19 home runs and stole 31 bases. He followed that up with 22 homers and a .930 OPS in 86 games with the WooSox in 2023, and following the season he was voted as having the best strike zone judgment and outfield arm strength in the International League by the Triple-A league’s managers.

Upon his arrival in the majors Abreu batted .316 with an .862 OPS in his first 28 big league games, including one game where he went 5 for 5 with a walk against the AL East champion Baltimore Orioles. This season he’s now batting .292 with an .838 OPS over 23 games despite starting the year 2 for 18 in his first eight games.

Now he’s really starting to heat up, and his teammates are taking notice.

“He’s absolutely swinging the crap out of the bat right now,” said fellow outfielder Jarren Duran. “It’s awesome to see. He’s just coming about and it’s so cool to be able to witness as a teammate.”

Right now Abreu’s 1.2 wins above replacement ranks fourth on the team behind Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck and Duran, and with the starting right field job firmly in his hands Abreu should have ample opportunity to further prove himself.

There may still be growing pains along the way, but so far Abreu has shown he’s more than up to the task.

Outfield shakeup working out

Abreu’s emergence has also helped validate Boston’s offseason approach to the outfield, specifically the club’s decision not to bring back incumbent outfielder Adam Duvall.

One of Boston’s best bats last season, Duvall went unsigned until late in the offseason and eventually signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Atlanta Braves. Duvall has so far appeared in only 15 games, during which he’s batted .238 with two home runs, eight RBI and a .755 OPS.

Abreu has been more productive across the board while also playing better defense in right field.

Though they weren’t technically traded for one another, the Red Sox other big switch in the outfield was swapping out Alex Verdugo for Tyler O’Neill. Both players are entering their final year before hitting free agency, but so far O’Neill has looked like a clear upgrade.

So far this season O’Neill has been among the best hitters in baseball, smashing nine home runs in only 20 games while batting .329 with a 1.176 OPS. O’Neill is also a two-time Gold Glove winner who has quickly adapted to Fenway Park’s unique outfield dimensions, and Sunday night he came through in the clutch with a walk-off RBI single to beat the Chicago Cubs on Sunday Night Baseball.

Meanwhile, Verdugo has been what he always was in Boston since joining the New York Yankees, which is a quality starting outfielder but not necessarily a great one. So far Verdugo is hitting .267 with four home runs, 13 RBI and an .804 OPS, a level of production the Yankees aren’t going to complain about but which won’t make the Red Sox feel any regrets.

With Duran now a full-time starter, Masataka Yoshida the full-time DH and Ceddanne Rafaela a potential Gold Glove caliber option as well (when he isn’t needed at shortstop), the Red Sox suddenly find themselves with their most dynamic outfield since the days of Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Andrew Benintendi. The young players’ development will prove crucial, but the Red Sox certainly have a lot to work with.