5 Red Sox on Thin Ice At Quarter Mark of 2024 Season

37 games into the 2024 season, the Boston Red Sox sit just above .500 with a 19-18 record. Given a lackluster offseason that disappointed much of the fanbase, and the multitude of injuries that have plagued the roster, the team has exceeded expectations to remain competitive through the quarter mark of the season.

Boston sits 5.5 games back in the American League East and three games out of a Wild Card spot. After a 15-11 April, the Red Sox have trended in the wrong direction, winning only two of their first seven games in May. As May progresses, it will become more clear who this team is. Is their April record more representative of what fans can expect of this team? Or is their May downward spiral their true baseline? In the words of Bill Parcells, eventually "you are what your record says you are."

Boston's pitching staff has largely carried the team, as the Sox currently post the best ERA mark in MLB. Unfortunately, their 14th-ranked scoring offense has held the club back at times. Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck have been especially impressive on the mound. Crawford and Houck rank first and fourth in the AL in ERA, respectively.

Now, those are some of the highlights of this 2024 Boston squad. With a quarter of the season gone in 2024, let's take a look at some of the Sox who are skating on thin ice.

5. David Hamilton

This isn't entirely David Hamilton's fault. He is a 4-A player and has been thrust into a heightened role following injuries in the infield, especially the season-ending injury to shortstop Trevor Story. Hamilton's defense has been much maligned, and it becomes even more glaring when it occurs at a premium defensive position such as shortstop.

Hamilton is on pace for -22 defensive runs saved in 2024 (yes, negative 22 runs), and is hitting .214 with one home run and two RBI in 42 at-bats. In his career, he is a .173 hitter, and that sole homer and two runs driven in are the only ones in his career. It's not like Hamilton is just having a down season. Yes, only 75 MLB at-bats isn't a giant sample size, but he has done little to suggest that there is promise there and position players typically don't find a sudden burst of production in the box at 26 years old.

Part of a 2022 trade that sent Hunter Renfroe to Milwaukee and returned Jackie Bradley Jr. to Boston, the Red Sox might have to cut their losses on this one.

He is not bringing a lot to the plate - or field, at this point. It is likely that Hamilton retreats to AAA Worcester once some players return from the injured list, or he could be a strong candidate to be designated for assignment.