As spring training gets underway and the 2017 season approaches, the Red Sox prepare to enter their first season without David Ortiz since 2003. The newly retired Ortiz will surely be missed by his team. The Red Sox will lose a huge veteran presence in their clubhouse, which provided the team with so much wisdom and leadership. Many are unsure how Boston will fare without Big Papi. I can assure you that this young, talented team will be just fine without him.
The Red Sox will enter 2017 with one of the most solid young cores in the MLB, and it all starts in the outfield. In left field will be Andrew Benintendi, MLB pipeline’s number one prospect. Benintendi showed flashes of greatness in his time up in the big leagues, before his season was cut short due to injury. Benintendi will be a top candidate for rookie of the year this season. In center will be Jackie Bradley jr., a 2016 MLB all-star. Bradley is coming off a career season, in which he hit the ball better than he ever has before (26 home runs, 87 RBI). To go along with his offensive performance, Bradley showed that he can be a premier defensive outfielder, as he was a gold glove finalist. Bradley will look to improve even more this season. Finally, in right field: Mookie Betts. A 2016 all-star and MVP runner-up, Mookie Betts is coming off his breakout season. Not only did he excel at the plate (.318 AVG, 31 HR, 113 RBI, silver slugger), but he performed in the field as well, winning a gold glove. Mookie is going to be the future face of the Red Sox, as he will look to place himself among the league’s best players.
The infield is very promising, as well. Third base is the only major question. The Red Sox have left the door wide open for former star Pablo Sandoval to come back and take over the position. After losing his job last season and getting injured, Sandoval has worked harder than ever to get back into shape. Hopefully Sandoval can return to his former self and play well, but that statement is still a mystery. Lucky, the Sox have valuable backups to Sandoval if he does not work out, including Brock Holt and Josh Rutledge. The middle infield is solid. At shortstop will be Xander Bogaerts, a 2016 all-star with a very high ceiling. At second base will be Dustin Pedroia, a seasoned veteran coming off a remarkable offensive season (.318 AVG). At first base will be newly acquired Mitch Moreland. Moreland is a power hitter who has a lot of potential to hopefully help fill the power gap that Boston obtained when Ortiz left. The player who will hopefully fill the bulk of that gap will be Hanley Ramirez, who will take over at designated hitter for Ortiz. Coming off a monster year of power (30 HR, 111 RBI), Ramirez will have high expectations for 2017, as he looks bigger and stronger than ever. Doing the catching for the Red Sox will likely be Sandy Leon, who was the biggest surprise for Boston last season as he hit .310.
Pitching should be a wonderful asset to the Sox this year. The biggest move made in the offseason was acquiring lefty Chris Sale via trade. Sale is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, striking out 233 batters with the Chicago White Sox last season. Sale also possesses the gritty mental toughness needed to pitch in a hostile Boston environment and win playoff games. He will be accompanied by 2016 ALCy Young winner Rick Porcello, as well as David Price. Price, even though he struck out 228 batters, had one of his worst seasons in his Boston debut. However, the 5-time all-star is determined to go out this season and make it his best. These three talents will join to form one of the best pitching rotations in baseball.
While the Red Sox will lose a future hall of fame player, they have the talent and personnel to remain a top team in the MLB for years to come.
-Cam Rogers ‘18
excellent work
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