'I wanted this opportunity for a long time': WooSox call-up impresses in Polar Park debut
WORCESTER — After getting called up to join the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox last week, Karson Simas was supposed to head back to Class-A Greenville on Monday.
But before the baseball player could return to the Drive, Simas received a phone call from WooSox manager Chad Tracy telling him that Simas’ services were needed for a few more days with Worcester.
“I was like ‘Yessir, see you there,’ ” Simas said.
On Tuesday, the 22-year-old from California made his Polar Park debut in the WooSox’ 12-5 win over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
The utilityman started at third base and batted eighth in the Worcester lineup. In four at-bats, Simas went 1 for 3 with a walk and a three-run homer.
Karson Simas, welcome to Polar Park! 👏
His first Triple-A home run extends the lead 12-2. pic.twitter.com/H1hVte1oat— Los Wepas de Worcester (@WooSox) May 1, 2024
It marked his first career Triple-A dinger.
After Simas rounded the bases in the bottom of the eighth, the 25th-round pick of the Red Sox in the 2019 first-year player draft, was mobbed by teammates. Simas then put on the celebratory University of Massachusetts football helmet that gets worn by the player who just hit a home run.
“It was very exciting to get in that dugout and put that helmet on — just slapping hands through that dugout,” Simas said.
WooSox player Karson Simas, who was called up from Single-A Greenville last week and was supposed to head back yesterday, got a phone call from WooSox manager Chad Tracy saying the team needed him for a few more days.
On Tuesday, Simas smacked his first Triple-A home run. pic.twitter.com/xaWqNRDY62— Tommy Cassell (@tommycassell44) May 1, 2024
Simas previously played in six games for the Greenville Drive this season, going 2 for 20 with two doubles and two runs scored.
In three games with the WooSox, he’s hitting 5 for 10 with four singles and a homer.
“The quality in the at-bat in all three games he’s played has been very, very good,” Tracy said. “So I’m really happy for him.”
It’s been a whirlwind of a week for Karson Simas. And he didn’t disappoint in his Worcester debut that nearly didn’t happen.
“I wanted this opportunity for a long time,” Simas said. “(I) got it and just had to take advantage of it. Just play some baseball.”
—Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Sox prospect Karson Simas hits home run for WooSox in Polar Park debut
