Boston Red Sox: The Continued Importance of Utility Man Brock Holt
The 2017 Boston Red Sox may be abound with young talent, but there is one veteran who is just as integral to the team as their young stars.
A quick look at the projected Red Sox roster gives fans the names expected to give Boston another World Series title: Mookie Betts. Chris Sale. Rick Porcello. Hanley Ramirez.
One name on this list who might be overlooked or tossed aside is Brock Holt. As far as usefulness to a team goes, the Red Sox have leaned heavily on Holt for the past three seasons.
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This year should be no different.
He may not smash home runs or display flashy fielding skills, but super utility player Holt’s “Charlie Hustle” style of play will be just as important to this season’s success.
Holt is capable of playing all outfield positions, helping provide days off for the array of young talent already roaming the Fenway outfield. In fact, Holt has played every position except pitcher and catcher in his major league career.
Could Holt be a modern day Jose Oquendo?
Oquendo–to sidetrack into history–played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1986-1995. He, too, was of the super utility player mold, playing all nine positions in the 1988 season. Oquendo was a slick fielder, eventually earning a starting position at second base.
He even found the mound, pitching three scoreless innings in a 19-inning affair against the Atlanta Braves in ’88. Oquendo’s usefulness as a utility player helped the Cardinals get the World Series in ’87.
Holt may never take the mound or get behind the plate, but a player of his caliber can go a long way in building a team.
Finding a Niche
Holt arrived via trade from Pittsburgh in December of 2012. Holt didn’t play much in 2013, but soon found a role on a team beset by injuries and struggles.
2014 and 2015 might be best remembered as a couple of last place finishes for the Red Sox, but Holt was a bright spot in these years.
He drove in 45 runs in ’14 and in 2015–starting as the semi-regular second baseman in place of the injured Dustin Pedroia–Holt hit six triples.
Holt hit over .280 in both of these season and played in a combined 235 games.
A concussion and ankle and shoulder injuries limited Holt to 94 games in 2016.
Barring injuries to other players, Holt’s role will continue to be utility player. This is a niche in and of itself, perhaps even allowing Holt to start four to six games a week.
It may not happen early on, but if the past is any indication, he will be an important part of the team. Holt might find himself starting in right field one day and second base the next.
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Is the super utility role a glamorous position destined to earn accolades and notoriety? Not in most cases (though Holt did earn an all-star nod in 2015). Instead, the fifth-year veteran will be relied on for leadership. And who knows, maybe even pitch an inning or two.
Then the comparisons to Oquendo can truly begin.