Boston Red Sox: Chris Young Proving His Worth in Jackie Bradley’s Absence
By James Carson
Through two weeks of various illnesses and injuries, the Boston Red Sox are getting the most out of reserve outfielder Chris Young.
The Boston Red Sox have pushed to an 8-5 record over their first 14 games, despite a quick-spreading case of the flu and an injury to starting center fielder Jackie Bradley, Jr. Mookie Betts missed multiple games with the illness, as did Hanley Ramirez, while Bradley sprained his knee rounding first base on a fly ball.
A big part of the Red Sox’ ability to continue to win is the early play of back-up outfielder Chris Young, who has replaced all three of Betts, Ramirez, and Bradley so far this season.
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When Betts was ill, Young played right field. When Ramirez was ill, Young was the designated hitter. With Bradley on the disabled list, Young has played left field while rookie Andrew Benintendi has shifted to center field. Initially signed before the 2016 season as a bat off the bench to hit lefties, Young has found himself a key piece to the success of the 2017 Red Sox.
So far this season, Young has racked up twelve hits in the twelve games he has played, good for a .286 average. Young has multiple hits in five of his twelve games so far this season and has two doubles. He has only driven in one run, but the key to Young’s value has come from being on base at the right times.
Young has scored eight runs this season, the most on the Red Sox and tied for twelfth in the American League. The 33-year-old has also been walking more than usual, with five bases on balls compared to eight strikeouts.
It is still too early for strikeout or walk percentages to mean much, but Young’s 17.0% strikeout percentage is the lowest of his career since his rookie year in 2006, so take that for what it is worth.
Chris Young in the field
Defensively, Young has shown an ability to fit in with the young guys like Betts and Benintendi. He has experience playing the Green Monster from his time in left field last season, which allows the younger and more athletic Benintendi to play center field with Bradley out. Young has made no miscues this season and, despite being the oldest of the outfielders, has still demonstrated an ability to move well.
With a lineup as strong as that of the Boston Red Sox, Young’s ability to score runs makes him a valuable bench player. If everyone else is hitting well, Young only needs to find a way to get on base to make a mark on the team. He is a veteran presence for a young clubhouse and has proven to be integral to the Red Sox as a fill-in while the team gets their full strength back. Young has already scored 27.5% of the runs he scored last season in 15% of the games played.
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Bradley is expected to return from his knee injury soon, but this stretch has gone to show that having someone like Chris Young available in the dugout is indispensable for a major league squad.