The Red Sox Should Give Ivan DeJesus A Shot

It has become pretty clear over the past few weeks that Jose Iglesias is not the man to be the starting shortstop, at least not in 2012. Although the 22 year old is a defensive whiz, a .091 (2-22) batting average is not enough to cut it in the hard hitting AL East. Mike Aviles, on the other hand, has held his own in 2012– a .251/.283/.387 slash line and solid defense– but is not the future of the team, and shouldn’t be back for a starting role in 2013. It’s become obvious that Ivan DeJesus, recently acquired in the Dodgers mega-deal, may be the man for the job.

Mar 15, 2011; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Ivan DeJesus (65) calls off other fielders as he gets under a pop fly during a game against the Texas Rangers at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Once a highly touted prospect in the Dodgers organization, DeJesus’s stock has fallen since he broke his leg in 2009. However, the 25 year old DeJesus has hit well in Triple-A (.304/.343/.416 between Albuquerque and Pawtucket) and has held his own in 26 games between the Red Sox and Dodgers– batting .257/.308/.343. At the very least, he’s better than Iglesias and younger than Aviles.

Despite his credentials, though, the Red Sox haven’t really given DeJesus a shot so far other than a few pinch-hitting appearances (he went 0-2). If the Red Sox are really planning a youth movement, which they should be, and are playing their good ol’ Triple-A lineup, then DeJesus should be a part of it. Who knows? He could impress and be the starting shortstop in 2013.