Is Will Middlebrooks the Real Deal?

Will Middlebrooks put on a decent performance during the 75 games he spent with the Boston Red Sox in the 2012 season, but is he the real deal?

August 08, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Nick Punto (5) welcomes third baseman Will Middlebrooks (64) to the dugout after Middlebrooks hit a three run home run during the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

Middlebrooks, 24, did not play the best when it comes to offense. He played strong in his Sox debut on  May 2nd, and went on to collect 77 hits in the following months, but he struck out 70 times (267 A.B.).Out in the field, Middlebrooks was gem. He was responsible for 32 put-outs, and was credited with 134 assists at the hot corner. He was the replacement (and part of the reason) why Kevin Youkilis was traded away to the Chicago White Sox. They Sox had found someone with a little more power to put at third base.

There are plenty of  third-basemen out there on the market, but the Red Sox would even have to turn to the list of free agents. They would aim for another up-and-coming third-baseman in the farm system. The “number-two” option would likely be Garin Cecchini, a 21-year-old who played with the Greenville Drive (Single-A) last season.

Overall, Will Middlebrooks is the real deal. He runs onto the field everyday and gives it his all. He shows strength, power, and most importantly, dedication. He has to earn his stripes a little bit more at the plate, but other than that, he should coast right through the 2013 season.