Brock Holt: starting left fielder?

Jun 1, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Brock Holt (26) hits an RBI double during the fourth inning against the Tampa Bays Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Since joining the Red Sox when Will Middlebrooks went to the disabled list, Holt has made a name for himself atop the Red Sox batting order. He has slashed .317/.360/.455 with 9 doubles and 3 stolen bases in 25 games between third and first base. After the Stephen Drew signing, however, the Red Sox will have no more infield positions to occupy Holt once Napoli returns. But given that he has been one of few bright spots throughout a rough Red Sox season, the Red Sox will do everything possible to keep him in Boston and the most effective way of doing that would be to move Brock Holt to the outfield.

And that’s exactly what’s about to happen.

Over the previous week, Holt has been shagging fly balls in the outfield– particularly left field– and it seems that he could start there as soon as Napoli returns. Holt does not have the speed or arm strength to fill Fenway Park’s spacious center and right fields, but he should be able to hold down a spot in left field so long as his defense isn’t embarrassingly bad out there.

This will not only help the Red Sox lineup, as Holt has been among the best hitters in the lineup over recent weeks, but it could also add a spark to Boston’s historically bad outfield. The Red Sox have gotten next to no production from all three outfield positions with the departure of Jacoby Ellsbury and the constant injuries of Shane Victorino, but Holt could at least add something to the left field spot. Who knows? Perhaps the return of Napoli coupled with the offensive spark of Holt could lead to a few extra wins down the line.