The Suddenly Raking Stephen Drew
Going into Thursday night’s game against the Kansas City Royals, Stephen Drew has looked like a guy who doesn’t have Jose Iglesias breathing down his neck anymore.
Aug 7, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter
David Ortiz(34) congratulates shortstop Stephen Drew (7) on hitting the game winning three-run home run against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning at Minute Maid Park. The Red Sox won 7-5. Mandatory Credit:
Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
Since Iglesias was traded to the Tigers to replace ‘roider Jhonny Peralta Drew is 13 of 28 with three extra-base hits and seven RBIs in eight games. His overall batting average of .249 is not in the top tier of shorts but he does posses a .778 OPS, making him the third best among American League shortstops with a minimum of 325 plate appearances.
Drew is also third in RBIs among AL shortstops, fifth in extra-base hits and first in pitches per plate appearance, making him a consummate Red Sox grinder. An impressive UZR of 4.7 also places Drew in the top fielders among all shortstops.
Drew started the season on the DL after a spring training concussion that kept him out of action early in the season. Even after he came back he understandably looked out of sync. Lately he’s been hitting a groove and firing on all burners.
Drew told mlb.com, “I think personally over my first 80-bats it was like spring training. But now this is more like what I can do and I think who I am as a player.”