The 5 Boston Red Sox with the most to prove in 2018

4. DH Hanley Ramirez

Designated hitter Hanley Ramirez had a down year in 2017 in terms of his average and power numbers. He hit just .242 with 23 home runs and 62 RBI. In 2016, his average was at .286 and he blasted 30 homers while adding 111 RBI. He doesn’t have David Ortiz insurance anymore, and surely that impacted him last year, but so did his shoulder injury. Now though, Hanley is healthy and ready to take on 2018. The Red Sox should look for him to again hit 25 home runs, but 75 RBI should at least be the minimum.

A power bat, like J.D. Martinez, could still be added to the Boston lineup for 2018, and that would greatly improve Hanley Ramirez’s chances of putting up great power numbers. His current teammates should help though too, like Rafael Devers in year two. Devers was solid at the plate last season, but with more time in the MLB, he could explode in the new year. If he can get on base and put up big numbers, he will greatly aid Ramirez at the dish.