March 26, 2015

Red Sox Rundown - The Deep End of the Talent Pool



Time to break down where the competition is the most intense this spring - Boston's loaded outfield. I also have to thank Shane Victorino's training regime this off-season which will serve as the underlying theme of this entry.

It never fails. Just when you think that you've heard everything with regards to players preparing for a new baseball season, you run across a peculiar little morsel that makes you go "Whaaaat?" 



As I was watching the Sawx over the weekend in a game against the Phillies, Don Orsillo proceeded to reveal that Shane Victorino was working on holding his breath under water in an effort to challenge his body. The guy was hurt all of last season, and he's holding his breath under water to get ready for baseball? By the way Spring Training has been unfolding, Shane could be beyond his depth. He's already hit the trainer's table due to "general soreness", he has abandon switch hitting to to the fact it causes "tightness" and as of late, he's lobbied for the idea of dealing prospects for known commodities as he said he'd welcome Cole Hamels aboard:

"Any time you can get a No. 1, as I told these guys -- not the front office, but the players -any time you can go get a guy in my opinion who is established, who has done it [you do it]," Victorino told the Daily News. "And I understand you don't want to give up this prospect or that prospect. You're hoping this guy becomes a Cole Hamels. Hoping. Oh wait, that guy is there now. And even as a hitter. Why would you hope that guy becomes this hitter, when you have it right now? And I understand there's a financial side. And there's a bigger picture. But like I said, at the end of the day, it's right here in front of you. Why are you hoping?"
He went on to say:
"That's why their called prospects," Victorino said. "And I understand the future is important, but for an organization -- and anybody, any organization, not just here [with the Red Sox] -- I'm going to give up, maybe not everybody, but I'm going to give up 2-3 pieces that I think are necessary for a certain guy. Because it warrants it. This guy is established."

Never mind the fact that this would also alleviate Shane's concerns about being on the lineup card come Opening  Day. Now, Farrell is even backtracking on Victorino. He said Shane will be the starting right fielder "if he's healthy", but seems to now have some reservations as there are rumblings he could start the season on the DL. As far as dealing prospects, I do agree with Shane in principle. Many prospects do not realize their potential and part of building a strong farm system is using these potential stars to lure proven players. In this instance though, there is no way in hell Betts or Swihart go in any deal for Hamels, and the thought is even more ludicrous if Vic can't answer the bell.


If Shane cannot come to the surface and ends up dead in the water, have no fear. Rusney Castillo will come to the rescue. The Sawx invested $72 million dollars in the Cuban outfielder, and he lurks poolside ready to spring into action. An oblique injury slowed him this spring but in his limited appearances, he has hit .375 with a homer, a triple and 3 RBI. He was slated to possible start the season in Triple A due to the lack of reps, but that doesn't seem to be an issue at this point. He is certainly not going anywhere (sorry Shane), and with the hefty investment made by the Red Sox, they'll want him in that outfield sooner rather than later.



Moving from Shane's health woes and possible paranoia, we have the polar opposite demeanor of Hanley Ramirez. With no worries concerning playing time moving forward into April, Hanley has embraced his return to the organization that he started with signing as an international free agent with Boston in 2000. His friendship with fellow bashers Ortiz (who he calls his "big brother") and Sandoval have eased fears of his petulant nature resurfacing from days gone by. It seems you can't wipe the smile off his face this spring, and he has previewed the power that is reminiscent of another slugging Red Sox left fielder named Ramirez. He leads the team this spring with nine RBI and is riding the waves with ease.



Do these swings look familiar?



Then we have the interesting saga of Allen Craig. In this case, it is simply the Sawx trying to perform due diligence by not throwing the baby out with the bath water. 



Craig was a run producing machine in his days as a Cardinal hitting .400 and .454 with runners in scoring position in 2012 and 2013 respectively. After a sharp decline from a foot injury last season, he has shown glimmers of regaining his stroke this spring batting.278 with 7 RBI. The strikeouts have been noticeable, though, as he has whiffed 12 times in 36 at bats going into today's action. He could be a valuable piece if he can accept a role off the bench as a corner outfielder, DH and first baseman and remain somewhat consistent. Too bad we couldn't morph he and Nava together into a switch hitter and save a roster spot. Imagine a player like that with both Craig and Nava's numbers? The punch from the right coupled with the OBP from the left.

Speaking of Nava, he remains afloat in this gaggle of outfielders due to one simple fact - he bats left handed. Daniel has abandon switch hitting and has looked good against lefties this spring. Coupled with the fact he is a competent corner outfielder and first baseman, Nava brings the dimension of strike zone awareness to the table, and this type of plate patience is coveted by the organization. Daniel has a .441 OBP this spring. So, what new? Only Betts and Bradley are higher in the category of players with more than 25 ABs.



And no, I didn't make a mistake above. He's baaaack... with mercurial spring stats - defensive wizard Jackie Bradley Jr.  Bradley is second overall in OBP and batting average in Grapefruit league action. I think we all know who is first, and I'm getting to him. Bradley's window was wide open back in 2013 when he made the club out of Spring Training leading the team in many offensive categories along the way. Alas, we all know the results. Jackie has yet to hit above .200 at the major league level. The thing is, you rarely get a second chance in professional sport after the results he registered in 2013, but due to his defense, he was granted another shot at the center field job in 2014. His batting average went from .189 to .198 and the strikeouts grew exponentially. As good as he looks once again in spring, it's a case of once twice bitten, thrice shy for the Boston brass. With Shane's health in question and Craig possible trade bait due to redundancy with Nava, Boston shouldn't be too quick to part with Jackie just yet. But as far as getting in on the fun come April, Jackie doesn't even really get his feet wet in the outfield equation.



The other guy besides Ramirez who need not be cast into the waters of doubt to his place on the team is spring phenom Mookie Betts. It seems he just keeps getting better all the time, and the crown jewel was his inside - the - park homer against Philly over the weekend. He has 11 extra base hits, and batting a smoking hot .441. He's in a world all his own and while others thrash for position, he parts the waters and will look to lead the Red Sox from the despair of the 2014 season. The best thing about tomorrow is that, from here on out, I can watch this kid play every day as MLBTV will be picking up the remaining spring training games as we move to the beginning of the season.





Until the crowded outfield picture is sorted, Farrell might have to be quite creative on how he appeases a few of the egos currently employed by the club. But this much is true -  come hell or high water - Boston's outfield will be much more offensive in the most positive of ways in 2015.

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