Boston Red Sox: First Month Awards

By Evan Marinofsky | May 1, 2015

Yes, I understand it’s only April.

And yes, I also understand some people just historically have bad Aprils. But, April can be a great first impression at how a team will do the rest of their year.

Currently 22 games into the season, the Boston Red Sox are 12-10, sitting 1 game back of the New York Yankees in the AL East. Already, it is apparent that the Red Sox have glaring needs and amazing strengths.

So to analyze this, I’m handing out the “April Awards” which show the strengths, weaknesses and necessities that the Red Sox have.

Biggest Surprise: Dustin Pedroia

Apr 23, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) at bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

In the beginning of this year, I wanted this category to have the starting pitchers at this point in the season. But unfortunately, they’re in a much different category. Fortunately for the Red Sox, the “biggest surprise” category actually has a huge surprise: Dustin Pedroia.

In his first two at-bats of the season, Pedroia hit two straight home runs off of Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels. Currently, Pedroia sports 4 home runs, 10 RBIs, .291 batting average and a .477 slugging percentage.

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Since 2010, mostly all of Peddy’s power numbers have gone down and he’s become your average #2 hitter. But this year has started off different. Over the offseason, there had been rumors that Pedroia was fully healthy to start a season for the first time in a long time: it seems like that rumor has proved itself true.

Pedroia is on pace for his best power numbers in a single season. If this team wants to succeed, they will need him to continue to produce.

Biggest Disappointment: Starting Pitching

Apr 21, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Wade Miley (20) is taken out of the game by manager John Farrell (53) against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Boston Red Sox defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

How could it not be the starting pitchers?

The Sox starting pitcher’s have a combined 5.04 ERA, the worst in the majors. Joe Kelly has a 4.94 ERA, Justin Masterson has a 5.16 ERA, Rick Porcello has a 5.34 ERA, Clay Buchholz has a 5.76 ERA and Wade Miley has a whopping 8.62 ERA.

These guys have been absolutely horrid and can’t seem to string solid starts together. The only pitcher that has played to expectations is Kelly who is the #5 starter and has numbers that are just about on par with what a #5 starter should have. Everyone else: not even close to what they should have.

It’s a miracle that this team is 12-10 with a starting rotation this bad. The starting pitchers can thank one group for that: the offense. And even when the offense is hot, like in the 2nd inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in which the Sox scored 4 runs and then gave up 5 the very next inning (thanks Buchholz), it’s sometimes not enough.

If this team wants to do anything this season, the starting pitchers need to patch things up.

MVP: Hanley Ramirez

Apr 29, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Hanley Ramirez (13) hits a two run home run off Toronto Blue Jays pitcher R.A. Dickey (not pictured) during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

This guy can hit. When he was signed in the offseason, the basic reason as to why the Sox signed him was because of his hitting capabilities.

Yes I understand that he’s not the most defensively sound left fielder in the game. And yes I understand that when it comes to “loafing”, he’s a league leader.

But he’s also a league leader in much more impressive categories: home runs (10) and RBIs (22). To add a cherry on top, his batting average is .293.

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He’s been a distinct leader of this offense and has been one of the most consistent producers over the past month in all of the MLB.

When it comes to his effort, he’s not exactly the guy you want the rookies emulating themselves after. But when it comes to his offense, you want everyone trying to emulate his numbers.

What to do Going Forward:

May 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) runs to third base on a single by designated hitter David Ortiz (34) (not pictured) during the third inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The clear concern that the Red Sox need to address is the starting pitching. On the positive side, they could turn their ship around and perform at a high level.

Or they could keep struggling.

If the starting pitching starts to come together, this team really is complete for a deep postseason run. But if it doesn’t, there are some options that they could consider.

Let’s face it: if the starters continue to perform like this, the wheels are going to fall off at some point and they will be destined for the bottom of the standings.

For starters, if things continue to be this bad, the Sox could fire pitching coach Juan Nieves. Nieves isn’t the biggest problem but they would need a change of scenery if the pitching continued to struggle.

They could also go out and get a consistent starting pitcher, but would have to pay a very high price for him. If they wanted Hamels, they would have to pay a ton.

Lastly, they could ditch one of the current starters and put in a guy from Triple AAA (Eduardo Rodriguez or Henry Owens). Although their growth would be accelerated, it would be a attempt at shaking up the starters.

The Red Sox are going to have to have the starting pitching fixed before it’s too late. In such a close AL East division, the Sox could quickly fall out if the pitchers continue to underperform.

So, will the pitchers find their groove and if they don’t, what should the Red Sox do?

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