The Yankees and Boston Red Sox both recognized Carlos Narvaez’s potential as an MLB catcher.

But the managers of both teams acknowledge they didn’t envision Narvaez hitting quite like this.

Narvaez was the Red Sox’s cleanup hitter for Friday night’s series opener in the Bronx — his first trip there since the Yankees traded him to Boston in December.

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Known for his defense, Narvaez has exceeded expectations at the plate, entering Friday with a .288 average, five home runs and an .812 OPS.

“This is obviously a really talented catcher, and a smart guy with an amazing head on his shoulders, amazing person, so not surprised by his success,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.

“The level offensively — that he’s been this good, this early — maybe that’s caught me off [guard] a little bit, but there was no doubt in my mind that he was a big-league player.”

Originally signed as an international free agent in 2015, the Venezuelan-born Narvaez spent nine years in the Yankees’ organization. He made his MLB debut last season, appearing in six games and going 3-for-13.

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Narvaez was playing winter ball in Venezuela when the Yankees traded him for pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz and international bonus pool space.

“I was kind of shocked a little bit because I didn’t expect it,” Narvaez said Friday.

“I knew there were maybe a little more opportunities — at the moment, that’s what I felt — with Boston.”

Narvaez was a .250 hitter with a .746 OPS in his minor-league career, but he struck out in 31.3% of his at-bats at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season.

That rate is down to 26.9% with Boston.

“Offensively, we noticed a few things in winter ball that he did,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Friday. “He went from [being] very direct to the ball to hitting fly balls, and with that the swing-and-miss came into play. He made adjustments again, and now he’s basically even.”

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When they acquired Narvaez, the Red Sox envisioned him playing twice a week as the backup to starter Connor Wong.

But Wong fractured his left pinky finger in early April, costing him three weeks, and Narvaez has remained the starter ever since.

“So far, so good,” Cora said. “I’d be lying to you if I thought, like, ‘Oh, he’s going to be an offensive guy and he’s going to hit fourth for the Red Sox, or fifth.’ But we knew that, defensively, he was going to be a force.”

Narvaez was one of eight catchers currently in the majors who appeared at Yankees spring training in 2024. The others include Yankees starter Austin Wells and backup J.C. Escarra, as well as the Mets’ Luis Torrens.

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“Super thankful for what they did for me,” Narvaez said. “Really good at preparing players. The whole minor-league system is awesome. That was my first experience in pro ball. I’ve got a really good relationship there. … New York is always in my heart.”

It was with the Yankees’ organization that Narvaez formed a close friendship with Oswaldo Cabrera, whom he describes as a “brother.”

During the Red Sox’s off day Thursday, Narvaez visited Cabrera, who is on the injured list after suffering a scary left ankle fracture that required him to leave in an ambulance.

“We spent like four hours together, just talking,” said Narvaez, who went to Cabrera’s house. “I haven’t seen him after what happened to him, so that was a cool moment for us.”

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While Narvaez said he now views Boston as his “home,” he expected this weekend’s series at Yankee Stadium to be emotional.

“I’m super proud, super pumped for this opportunity,” Narvaez said. “Being able to wear both uniforms, and now with the Red Sox, I’m super happy.”

ELMER’S EXCELLENCE

The Narvaez trade is paying early dividends for the Yankees, too.

Rodriguez-Cruz, 21, entered Friday with a 3.38 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 48 innings over nine starts at High-A Hudson Valley this season.

The right-hander is the Yankees’ No. 6 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, which sees his potential as a mid-rotation starter.

LUKE’S OUTLOOK

Luke Weaver is already making progress with his left hamstring strain.

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The reliever received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection and has resumed throwing, Boone said Friday. Weaver is on the injured list, retroactive to June 1, with ESPN reporting his timeline to return at four-to-six weeks.

“He’s doing quite well,” Boone said Friday. “He was out already throwing yesterday. He’ll be doing his throwing program today, so I like the early stages where he’s at.

“Expressing to me how he feels, he’s pretty encouraged and optimistic, considering the injury and the timeline on that. So hopefully he does better than that.”