Bregman's 3 3 home runs, Crochette's strikeouts, and the Red Sox's new signings made their spring training debut

For the Boston Red Sox, Sunday's spring Grapefruit League home opener at JetBlue Park was the perfect stage to showcase two big signings.

The first is Alex Bregman. The team's most important free agent signing this winter quickly found a home in his spring training debut. At the spring training base, which replicates the size of Fenway Park, Bregman didn't hesitate to take aim at the friendly "Green Monster."

The right-hand hitter hit a high-flying two-run home run in the second sting, and the ball flew towards the left field. Bregman, who was the third baseman, hit a right fielder in the first slate and a second base in the bottom of the fourth inning to hit a three-hit-and-three-hitter (the Red Sox lost 7-8 to the Blue Jays).

Then there's Garrett Crochet, the ace left pitcher who traded four potential rookies for the Winter Conference. He showed overwhelming strength in the first game, striking out three hitters in a row. Despite losing some possession in the second inning, he ended up delivering one keep and four strikeouts in 1.2 innings of pitching.

Both players were impressed with the atmosphere at "South of the Fenway," even if it was just a spring training game.

"It was really helpful to have so many fans in the stadium," Crochet said, "and it was probably the biggest crowd I've ever faced in spring training, so it's a great feeling to get in the groove early." ”

"It's fantastic, the stadium was full today, which was really cool," Bregman said, "and it's already amazing for a spring training game, and I can really feel that energy." ”

During his time with the Astros, Bregman hit seven regular-season home runs at Fenway Park, plus two playoff home runs. This time, he blasted the ball from Blue Jays right pitcher Andrew Bash into a high wall in the left field – a wall that was four feet higher than the original Boston.

"It feels good, it's a good start to spring training," Mr. Bregman said.

While Bregman's perfectly suited swing at Fenway Park wasn't the only reason the Red Sox pursued him for months, it was certainly an important factor.

"Obviously, Bregman showed today why we want him," Crochet said.

Although joining a new team early in spring training may have been a bit of a distraction, Bregman has managed to put those noises behind him and focus on training.

"For him, that's the norm, the way he trains and the intensity," said Red Sox head coach Alex Cora, "and even in spring training, he's very serious. Every practice, every pitch, he communicates with his teammates. It's a part of the people here that have never seen before. I've seen, I know, I know how he works. As a coach you have to be ready because every day he brings new ideas, he wants to win, he wants to be part of this team. He enjoyed it all. I think that wall (the green monster) will give him more opportunities. ”

After hitting a career-low last year with a 0.768 attack index, Bregman struggled to fine-tune his swing throughout the winter.

"My swings were too inward, and my hand starters have been too withdrawn over the last few years," Bregman said, "so we tried to keep them in the frame of our bodies today, and it felt good and I hit a couple of solid balls." ”

Sunday was the first time the Red Sox fielded a starting lineup with multiple key players, with Bregman joining Triston Casas, Trevor Story and Ceddanne Rafaela. Last year's breakthrough star, Jarren Duran, was originally scheduled to play but was temporarily suspended due to left calf tension. Korra didn't hesitate to put Roman Anthony, the No. 2 of the MLB Top 100 Rookies, in left fielding and as a trail starter.

"I think a lot of people are really excited and want to get into the groove as soon as possible," Bregman said, "and we're looking forward to the season. We know there's still a lot of work to be done and we still need a lot of preparation in Florida before heading to the season, but it felt good today. I think everybody came here today with a smile on their faces because they knew they were in the starting lineup. ”

They also know who is pitching today.

"He looked great," Bregman said of Crochet, "and he was so powerful in the first game with three up and three downs. When playing against him in the last few years, he has always been impressive and difficult to play against. It's nice that now we're teammates. ”