Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia Helps Slumping Sluggers Find Swing

Dustin Pedroia has been one of the most consistent hitters for the Boston Red Sox through 48 games this season. He’s clubbed seven homers, driven in 21 runs and has raised his average from .270 to .298 over the last 10 games. Pedroia is clearly in a groove, but many of the sluggers batting around him have had their fair share of struggles at the plate, especially Hanley Ramirez and Mike Napoli.

After a scorching start to the season, highlighted by 11 homers in April, Ramirez is hitting just .224 with one round-tripper and two RBI in May. Something unfortunately went wrong over the course of the month for Ramirez. Some feel his collision with the Green Monster weeks back left him injured and in the wrong at the plate. With hitting coach Chili Davis unable to solve his puzzling funk, the ultra-talented Pedroia decided to intervene with the hopes of righting Boston’s high-priced outfielder.

As the Red Sox prepped for their series opener against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Pedroia arrived at the ballpark well ahead of his teammates Thursday. He immediately began watching video of Ramirez’s recent plate appearances. Pedroia spotted and identified what he perceived to be the issue, then proceeded to take Ramirez into the batting cage to make some needed adjustments.

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“Pedroia got here at 9 o’clock in the morning today to watch my videos, and he was waiting for me and he told me what I was doing. Sometimes there’s things that you don’t realize you’re doing it. It’s why this is a champion team, because players they care about each other. It was great, you know,” Ramirez told reporters following the Red Sox 5-1 win.

Ramirez should consider consulting with Pedroia more often because in the sixth inning, he blasted a powerful shot into the left field bleachers, showing something he had not done it weeks. He also doubled in the fourth.

“He was right,” said Ramirez of the adjustments recommended by Pedroia.

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But Ramirez isn’t the only hitter Pedroia has steered in the right direction in recent days. Napoli, Boston’s power-hitting first baseman, had been struggling to hit a beach ball for nearly two months. He was swinging at poor pitches and just looked over matched in the box until Pedroia came to his assistance.

Pedroia pulled Napoli aside ahead of the team’s Memorial Day weekend set with the Los Angeles Angels to review video. As a result of the lesson, Napoli was named American League Player of the Week. He put the tips into use and smashed four homers in three games to spark the Red Sox to a series victory.

Napoli and Ramirez appear to be on track to returning to their normal selves, but what about the now benched David Ortiz? Since joining the Red Sox, Ortiz has set the bar high in terms of slugging the baseball. He’s batting just .216 with six homers. Perhaps a meeting with good friend and player-coach Pedroia is in line. After all, he is quite knowledgeable, willing to offer up advice and is on pace to blow away last year’s offensive numbers.