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Boston Red Sox: Xander Bogaerts breaks out into stardom at right time

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - AUGUST 26: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox warms up in the on deck circle as he waits to bat during the sixth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 26, 2018 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms during Players Weekend. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - AUGUST 26: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox warms up in the on deck circle as he waits to bat during the sixth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 26, 2018 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms during Players Weekend. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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With a 100-RBI season, Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts has finally broken out as a consistent offensive force in the Sox lineup. 

While Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez have grabbed most of the headlines in 2018, Xander Bogaerts has quietly put together a breakout season for the Boston Red Sox.  All it took was more confidence, health and an aggressive approach at the plate.

It was also beneficial for Bogaerts to have players like Betts and Martinez in the lineup.  With some pressure off going into the season, the 26-year-old shortstop has really settled into his own in finally becoming the player everyone associated with the Red Sox organization knew and hoped he would have.

Hitting mainly in the No. 5 spot, Xander Bogaerts turned into a consistent, clutch hitter throughout the season and showed a little more power.  Overall, he hit for a .288 average with 23 homers and 103 RBI.  While the batting average is not as high as he is capable of, the tradeoff is that Bogaerts became more of a potent run producer who really benefits in this Boston Red Sox lineup.

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Prior to the season, Sox manager Alex Cora saw this kind of potential in Xander Bogaerts and says he told him to just be a more aggressive hitter at the plate.

"“I just told him what I saw last year,” Cora said, as transcribed by the Boston Herald.  “From the last series we played in the regular season last year, he took the first-pitch strike like 27 games in a row.  This guy, he’s better.  He can do some damage early in the count.  When I got the job that’s something that I learned from them, from the Astros.  And I’m like, ‘Hey, this is what people see from you guys.’ Some of them were surprised.  I asked them, ‘Why do you guys do that?’ and they were like, ‘I have no idea.’”"

It that patience at the plate that the Red Sox have been known for over the last few seasons.  Take pitches early in the count and really try to wear down opposing pitching.  The only problem with that is a lot of times the best pitches to hit come in early counts.  That could explain why a young player like Bogaerts lost his confidence at the plate under John Farrell.

A change in style and approach

But, luckily for the Boston Red Sox, the approach has changed for the better in 2018.  The results is a more consistent hitter who has shown some clutch.  He has also benefitted from watching how both J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts command the plate. In return, Betts has recognized the reliability of Xander Bogaerts as being a major factor in the team’s overall success.

"“I think he’s been one of the guys that keeps pushing us along,” Betts said.  “Even when we don’t have some guys that are feeling well, he’s always been stead with RBIs and hits, stealing bases, playing great defense and all those types of things.  He’s having his best season yet and he’s only getting better.”"

And that best season couldn’t have come at a better time for Bogaerts.  He has not only played himself into earning a big contract, his value on the trade market has increased if that is an avenue the Boston Red Sox want to explore.

As for the rest of this season, Xander Bogaerts needs to prove it in the playoffs.  Like Mookie Betts, the regular season won’t mean a thing if they can’t help this team get over the hump and at least win a playoff series in October.

Next. Boston Red Sox: Mookie Betts simply marvelous in MVP-type season. dark

His performance in the playoffs will show the true measure of how far he has come as a player and as one of the young stars of the Boston Red Sox.

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