Player Profile: Stephen Drew

The Boston Red Sox have made quite a few bold moves this offseason. The Sox have inked quite a few new players, and among the new faces we will see in Beantown, is Stephen Drew.

Oct 9, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics shortstop Stephen Drew (5) fields the ball against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning of game three of the 2012 ALDS at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Drew, 29, is no stranger to the major leagues. He started his Minor League Baseball career with the Lancaster JetHawks, who at the time was the High-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He then made his way through the system before he found his big break in 2006 when Diamondback’s infielder Craig Counsell injured his ribs. He’s been in the Major Leagues ever since.The seven-year Major Leaguer comes from a family full of baseball. He is the brother of former pitcher Tim Drew and former Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew, who spent five seasons playing right-field in Boston before he retired in 2011. The Drew brothers are the only trio of brothers to ever get selected in the first round of an MLB Draft. All three of the Drew’s found their passion for baseball at a young age, after their Dad found his first baseball glove in a dumpster.

Performance wise, Drew typically puts up an average of .265 or so every season. He collects about 160 hits per season, and both his on-base and slugging percentages are through the roof. He only puts up average numbers, but overall, he would be a good addition to the lineup both offensively and defensively. It wouldn’t surprise me if his name appeared in the middle of the Sox lineup.

Overall, Drew is a great addition to the roster, and fills the hole the Sox have at the short-stop position. He’s getting older, and it is time for his career to peak.