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Boston Red Sox 2017: Blake Swihart Could Play Multiple Positions This Season

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

May 30, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Blake Swihart (23) triples during the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Red Sox won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Blake Swihart (23) triples during the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Red Sox won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart will have a lot to prove in the 2017 season and that could involve playing multiple positions.

With the emergence young players such as Mookie Betts, Xander Bogearts, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Andrew Benintendi, former top prospect Blake Swihart seems like the forgotten man.  But, as validated by Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, Swihart is very much a part of the team’s future plans.

Coming off injury, the young catcher is expected to compete for a backup catcher role with Christian Vazquez.  However, Swihart’s versatility could come into play.  As noted by Peter Gammons on his website, GammonsDaily.com, the Red Sox could still decide to use Swihart in other positions.

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Not only would he provide catching depth, but he could also start games at DH, the outfield, as well as first and third base.  This would be a cheaper option for the Red Sox who are still looking to add depth at those positions.  It would also allow them to keep both Blake Swihart and Christian Vazquez.

The Jason Varitek factor

What the Boston Red Sox also have going for them is the influence of former Red Sox star catcher Jason Varitek, who believes in the ability of Swihart.  Could the push from Varitek help turn Swihart into the big league player many in the organization and around baseball feel he could be?

As Gammons points out in his report, patience will go a long way when it comes to the potential of Swihart.  The same kind of patience they had with a young version of Varitek.

Feb 20, 2016; Lee County, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox special assistant Jason Varitek (33) watches during workouts at Jet Blue Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Lee County, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox special assistant Jason Varitek (33) watches during workouts at Jet Blue Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

"“Swihart has that sense, that ability to relate to and build pitchers,” Red Sox bullpen coach and catching instructor Dana LeVangie told Gammons in the report. “He’s a really good worker. He was a good wrestler with the legs that goes with that. He’s obviously an athlete. It’s unrealistic to expect him to be a polished catcher right now. We understand that. Jason (Varitek) constantly reminds us, ‘do not panic.'”"

All and all, how the Red Sox ultimately decide to use Swihart will depend on how veterans like Pablo Sandoval, newcomer Mitch Moreland and Hanley Ramirez perform this season.  If one or two of those players struggle, Boston may be forced to see what they have in Swihart at first or third base defensively and at the DH position offensively.

Next: Examining James White’s Clutch Performance

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