The dazzling 2013 Red Sox went from "worst-to-first" with an Idiot-like collection of wily veterans. Pulled off various scrap-heaps, they were a bearded band of under-valued pros—all of whom had near-career years. It was a joyous, totally unexpected miracle. If Boston is to pull off
another "worst-to-first" in 2015, it will be through the maturation of a
youthful core of players. At the head of this group is
Xander Bogaerts. After a disappointing 2014, the 22-year old Bogaerts is poised to reclaim his mantle as a cool, efficient offensive force—while holding his own defensively at shortstop. Expected to contribute as well is
Mookie Betts—also 22 and likely to start in right field and lead-off for the 2015
Carmine Hose.
Christian Vazquez—a geezer at 24—will hold down the bulk of the catching duties and is already being called a mini-
Yadier Molina behind the dish. Even
Jackie "Beast Mode" Bradley, Jr. (also an advanced age 24) might re-engineer himself back to the top prospect we all thought he would be. Of course, young pitchers like
Matt Barnes (24),
Brian Johnson (24)
and
Henry Owens (22)
might also end up contributing to another championship. Hey, why not?
