Boston Red Sox: In Mookie Betts We Trust….or Not?

Yes, it truly hurts me to write a negative article on Mookie Betts even though “Mookie Mania” is rampant throughout Boston. Especially since just last night, he scored the Boston Red Sox’s only 2 runs with 2 home runs, a momentum shifter in the 6th and a nail in the coffin in the 8th.

Currently, Betts has 4 home runs, 17 RBIs, 11 walks, 19 strikeouts, a batting average of .234 and an on-base percentage of .306.

Wow that’s a lot of numbers.

Although the home run, RBI and walk totals may look good, don’t let them deceive you. Mookie’s 4 home runs, which may look like a lot for a leadoff man, have come in spurts. His first occurred in the first game of the season and his second occurred on April 13th, the seventh game of the season.

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His next two didn’t come until last night, May 5th, which is almost one month later. The message here: his home runs have come in spurts.

And so has his consistency.

Between early April and now, many questions have been raised about his meager Batting Average (.234) and paltry OBP (.306). For a leadoff hitter, those number stink. Most leadoff men have averages around .250 and above and have a much higher OBP, since the objective of the leadoff guy is to get on base.

Apr 29, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Mookie Betts (50) catches a fly ball hit by Toronto Blue Jays second baseman

(not pictured) during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

His numbers dictate those of a struggling middle of the lineup hitter and not so much a leadoff man, which is a bit concerning. Even though it’s the beginning of the season, and his career, the fact that Betts is a part of the “long term Red Sox” as a centerfielder and leadoff man is starting to scare me.

Why? Because of how bad his consistency has been. When Betts is hot, he’s HOT. But when he’s not, it’s very noticeable, especially since he’s tied for the team lead in strikeouts (19).

So the real question here is if Betts’ average continues to drop or stays where it is, who replaces him in the lineup?

One answer: Brock Holt.

Apr 24, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Brock Holt (26) reacts as he crosses the plate after hitting three-run home run during the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Boston Red Sox defeated Baltimore Orioles 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Holt currently leads the team in batting average (.339) and OBP (.413), which is exactly what Betts’ is missing in his statistics and what the Sox are missing in a leadoff guy as well. Even though Betts has more at-bats and his power numbers are better, Holt still beats him in slugging percentage (.482) and OPS (.895).

Holt has also been known to jump-start the Sox’ offense as well. Even though Betts beats him in home runs and RBIs, they are as close to unnecessary as you can get when you are a leadoff hitter. Home runs and RBIs are great “extras” for leadoff hitters to have. But if they don’t have what are considered “necessary numbers” for a leadoff hitter, they need to stop hitting in that spot.

Unfortunately for the Red Sox and Betts, if he were to be removed from the leadoff spot, there’s really no place else for him to go in the lineup. Possibly the 7, 8 or 9 spot would be acceptable along with staying in center field, but the leadoff spot would go to Holt.

This sounds a bit outlandish but if his average dropped into the 100s and there seemed to be no way out of his slump, he’s young enough where Pawtucket would be a legitimate option.

A bit crazy but you know what I mean.