Meet Sox Second Base Prospect Mookie Betts

The August 30th hot sheet released by Baseball America sports Red Sox second base hot prospect Mookie Betts at #6. Betts, a 20-year old Brentwood, TN native, broke on to the hot sheet based on his single A Salem numbers of .407/.515/.704, 8 R, 2 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBIs, 6 BB, 0 SO, 2-for-3 SB.

April 20, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Historical logos on display under the grandstands during the 100th anniversary celebration at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

At 5′ 9″ and lacking power and range but possessing a great hitter’s eye Betts is in the perfect slot at second base. Sound like anyone we know from say, oh, 2004? Of course he may be an old man by the time Dustin Pedroia gives up the ghost but Betts is a player who has served a splashy notice out of the blocks. He’s further proof that Boston’s commitment to a robust farm system is alive and well. At the very least if he keeps progressing Boston may have a decent trading chip in the future. Baseball America notes that he has strong wrists and hands and a patient eye, as evidenced by his zero Ks.

Betts excelled in four sports in high school and is listed in the Sox scouting report as possessing plus speed, a compact, level swing and solid overall approach for someone his age. He has an ability to work counts but isn’t overly aggressive. One trait, at least at this point, that makes him very much unlike Boston’s current second baseman is that he tends to stay back on balls rather than charge. Pedey doesn’t know the meaning of the words stay back. Woof! Grrrrr!