Thoughts From The Border by Larry Shiman, FN Board Member
The all-star break has
traditionally been the time to evaluate the first half of the season, even
though the half-way point passed a couple of weeks ago. There’s no way you can
evaluate this team and give it anything but an “A” as a whole, especially the
offense. Looking at the results position by position is more fun.
Catcher: Grade B+
Jarrod Saltalamacchia: Salty is
having the best year of his career, by a pretty good margin. A traditional low
average hitter, he has upped his average to a respectable .266 while
maintaining decent power and a good eye. For the first time, his OPS+ is above 100 (OPS+ is a compares a player’s on base percentage plus slugging to
league averages, with 100 representing exactly average). His defense isn’t
great, but you can easily live with it if he hits like this.
David Ross has been a
disappointment, but with Saltalamacchia's strong performance, the Sox haven’t
needed Ross very often.
First base: C+
Mike Napoli has been a mild disappointment.
He's been surprisingly healthy, perhaps as a result of not having to catch
anymore, but we’re still waiting for the bat to come alive. He's on pace for
less than 20 home runs and an average of .259, which would be real good for a
middle infielder. Not so much for a slow first baseman who’s defense is nothing
special. Don’t be fooled by the RBI totals – almost anyone would drive in runs
batting in the middle of this lineup.
The overall figures for first base
are pretty good, thanks to the amazing Mike Carp. Obviously, I don’t expect him
to keep up a .303/.369/606 line, but I’m interested to see where this goes.
Your 2014 first baseman for the Boston Red Sox?
Second base: A
The only question I can think of
regarding Dustin Pedroia is whether he is better than Robinson Cano. Too bad
the rivalry isn’t quite what it was ten years ago – it’s not often the Red Sox have a
top-ten player at the same position as the Yankees (looking at the Yankee
lineup these days, I just can’t get myself to write Evil Empire).
According to Baseball Reference, Pedroia
is the 4th best position player in the league this year.
Shortstop: C+
Stephen Drew is obviously no
superstar any more, but we could do worse. I don’t think he’ll ever hit .290
again, but he contributes decent power, good defense, and a fair on base
percentage. With Drew scheduled to return this weekend, Iglesias can move to
third. Michael Young would add a few more singles to the mix, but would
downgrade the defense if he played every day. No thanks.
Third Base: C+
This grade is comprised of an “A”
for Jose Iglesias, and an “F” for Middlebrooks. If you were wondering, Middlebrooks is only hitting .255 in AAA, although with some power. I haven’t
given up hope that Middlebrooks has a good August in Pawtucket, and helps the
Sox in September.
I read a recent blog that talked
about how Iglesias “at this pace” is the clear ROY. Of course, at this pace,Iglesias will have the same batting average as Ty Cobb this year (.367). Anyone
else want to take the under? Not that he needs to keep hitting like Wade Boggs
to win the award.
Left Field: B-
Johnny Gomes has played the most
games in left, but Nava has more playing time if you count the games filling in
for Victorino. Nava’s numbers remind me of Trot Nixon, when Nixon was at the
top of his game. I was worried
going into the season that the Red Sox would have no choice but to play Gomes
every day (shudder), but Nava’s emergence has prevented that from becoming a
reality. While Nava has surpassed everyone’s expectations, Gomes has played
exactly as well as I expected.
Center Field: A-
Those 32 home runs in 2011 sure
look a little suspicious, don’t they?
Ellsbury is plenty good without the
power. A .300 average, some walks, fantastic on the basepaths. 36 stolen bases,
and caught only 3 times – wow. The prototype leadoff hitter.
Right field: B-
I imagine this is about what the
Red Sox expected when they signed Shane Victorino, other than the injuries. He
hasn’t hit like a corner outfielder, but it’s like having two center fielders
out there, plus Nava has been so good filling in when the injuries hit.
Designated hitter: A