Boston Red Sox 2018 player grades: Mitch Moreland
The production of Mitch Moreland dipped slightly in 2018, but he still had plenty to contribute to the success of the Boston Red Sox.
It took one swing of the bat in October by Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland to put three months of frustration behind him.
Moreland, in an appearance as a pinch hitter in Game 4 of the World Series, knocked a two-out, three-run home run off Dodgers reliever Ryan Madson. This seventh inning shot helped propel the Red Sox to victory, giving Boston a 3-1 series lead.
This home run put a cap on a 2018 season for Moreland that can be summed up pretty succinctly: hot, cold, and pinch-hit hero.
After a solid 2017, Moreland remained in Boston on a two-year deal. A likely platoon at first base with Hanley Ramirez was the plan for Moreland, especially after the Red Sox signed J.D. Martinez.
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Moreland’s hot start through the season’s first two months – coupled with the not-so-hot start of Ramirez – gave Moreland more at-bats. This also left Ramirez as the odd man out, ultimately leading to his release on June 1.
Claiming more starts, Moreland hit .302 thru the end of May, driving in 27 runs in this span. He hit eight home runs, 12 doubles, and had an OPS near 1.000.
In June, there was a slight drop off, with Moreland hitting .261 during the month. He hit three more home runs with 13 RBI and had two triples, bringing his season total at this point to four.
The back nine of the season, as it were, was not so kind to Moreland.
Second half and playoffs
It took until July 23 for Moreland to hit a home run, a solo shot in a 5-3 win over Baltimore. Before that, he’d gone a month without one.
From July 1 to September 30, Moreland held a batting average of .197. He battled a few ailments off and on and hit only four home runs in these three months, including zero in September. Moreland also had only 2 RBI in 18 games during the month of September.
Lucky for the Red Sox, Moreland’s bat woke up just enough in the playoffs. He played in 11 games, but gave way to a red-hot Steve Pearce most of the way.
Moreland’s home run was his only hit (1-8) of the World Series. He was a combined 4-9 in the ALDS/ALCS but battled a hamstring injury throughout.
Still, as with many players on the Boston roster in 2018, Moreland picked his moments of greatness. Highlights included six 3-hit games in the regular season and driving in four runs in a game on three separate occasions.
Overall, his numbers at the plate dropped from 2017. Moreland did, however, play in 25 less games, hitting less home runs (22 in ’17 to 15) and doubles (34 to 23). His average was similar (.246 to .245) and his RBI total dropped only slightly (79 to 68).
Moreland’s defense was top notch as he committed only two errors, had a .998 fielding percentage and finished second in the American League Gold Glove voting.
Next. Boston Red Sox: Top 10 moments of the 2018 season. dark
2018 was about what was expected of Moreland: play exceptional defense, swat doubles, and provide the occasional clutch moment. His back end of the season did not exactly play to par, but Moreland overall deserves passing marks. Final Grade: B-