Boston Red Sox Outfielder Shows Off

Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida has added a fresh touch to his gear as he gears up for his second MLB season. Over the weekend, Yoshida acquired custom Under Armour cleats from sneaker designer Naoki Harada. Harada shared images of the shoes on social media, along with a video showcasing Yoshida taking batting practice while sporting the new cleats.

The custom cleats feature a white and red color scheme adorned with Red Sox logos on the tongue, but what sets them apart is the asymmetry between the right and left shoes. Yoshida’s right cleat boasts red laces and a dark blue section incorporating an additional Red Sox logo. In contrast, the left cleat features green laces and a detailed representation of Fenway Park’s iconic left field wall—the Green Monster. To add a playful touch, Boston’s mascot, Wally the Green Monster, makes an appearance on the left cleat.

Yoshida, who joined the Red Sox last offseason with a five-year, $90 million contract following a successful professional career in Japan, is heading into his second MLB season. In his debut season, he garnered attention, finishing sixth in AL Rookie of the Year voting. He showcased his batting prowess by hitting .289 with 15 home runs, 72 RBI, a .783 OPS, and a 1.4 WAR in 140 games.

FanGraphs projects Yoshida to continue his solid performance in 2024, forecasting a .291 batting average with 17 home runs and an .821 OPS. The Red Sox may lean towards utilizing Yoshida as a designated hitter more frequently this year, considering the emergence of top outfield prospects like Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela. The team also boasts high-level fielders in Jarren Duran and Tyler O’Neill on the roster.

Regardless of his position, Yoshida is expected to have ample opportunities to showcase his batting prowess, and now he can do so with a touch of style courtesy of his custom-designed cleats.