Boston Red Sox: Youngsters Shining in Spring Training

While the Boston Red Sox made a splash in free agency this winter, it’s the youngsters shining so far in spring training.

Xander Bogaerts, who had a rough first full season in the majors is showing why he was one of the top prospects in baseball. In 10 At-Bats, Bogaerts has 2 homers, 6 RBI 3 Walks. The power is the biggest positive sign for Bogaerts, who has the chance at a 20 homer season if he can carry this success past spring training into the season.

Jackie Bradley Jr. is doing his thing in spring training again and is hitting .385 while maintaining his elite defense. However, Jackie Bradley Jr. has shown us many times that he can be a spring training star. His real problem is transferring his results to the regular season. While he may be doing well, he shouldn’t be a factor in the Sox outfield but he could be a decent trade piece for the Sox at some point this season.

In 7 at-bats, Blake Swihart is hitting .571 with a homer and 3 RBIs. He has also looked great behind the plate and had no problem calling games. Swihart most likely won’t break camp with the team but he is showing he can play with the big boys and if he continues his torrid pace, could be in for a mid season call-up as opposed to getting the call once rosters expand.

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Mookie Betts finally showed some life against the Yankees and raised his spring training average to .400 in 15 at-bats. While I would like to see the Sox let Mookie steal some more, his bat is showing why he should be in the conversation as one of the best young players in the game.

Henry Owens, the Sox top pitching prospect and big lefty might have a 4.5 ERA but he is holding opposing batters to a .214 AVG through 4 innings of work. So this probably points to him getting unlucky with baserunners. In those 4 innings, he has struck out 4 and only walked 1 batter. Owens won’t break camp with the team, but has a great shot at taking over a spot in the rotation at some point this season.

Finally, Eduardo Rodriguez threw 3 perfect innings in his first appearance, striking out 3 batters. Rodriguez was an absolute steal for the Red Sox and could be an impact player for the team in the near future.

It can’t be forgotten that it is only spring training, and these are incredibly small sample sizes. However, the Red Sox have a plethora of young talent to go along with a strong core of vets meaning all signs point to long term success for the Sox.