Mookie Betts was a big sensation for the Boston Red Sox in a lackluster 2014 season. With his transition to the outfield, particularly in center, Betts may be primed for another promotion.
ESPN Boston’s Kyle Brasseur reported that the Red Sox are considering making Betts the future leadoff man in the lineup. There is just one problem. “Having fully transitioned to an outfielder last season, Betts figures to be fourth on the team’s depth chart behind Hanley Ramirez, Rusney Castillo, and a healthy Shane Victorino” (Brasseur). The 22-year-old native of Nashville, Tennessee was just called up from Pawtucket and played 52 games for Boston, where fans demand the best out of their outfielders.
Red Sox general manager John Farrell said, “The aggressiveness is combined with some overall awareness and that’s the thing you see for a young guy that’s so exciting is that there’s a game awareness that exists that is pretty unique” (Brasseur). With some unbelievable diving catches, Betts eventually solidified the notion that he could be more than just a prospect for the defensive position.
Offensively, Betts surprised everyone. The experts and critics knew he was fast, but they were shocked to see the total package laid out for them to see. Betts hit .291, with a .398 on-base percentage and some pop on that bat too (.444 SLG). His power drove 5 home runs and 18 RBIs. Part of that was patience at the plate and part of that was making good contact whenever he struck the ball. In 189 at-bats, Betts had 31 strikeouts, but also had 21 free trips to first base. Not a smart move by opposing pitchers to take Betts lightly, considering his lightning speed, which he turned into 7 stolen bases and 12 doubles. With numbers like those, there is no wonder why he was able to score 34 times; he puts himself in scoring position whenever he can to give the Red Sox a chance to cash him into home.
That’s not recklessness. That’s baseball I.Q. with aggression.
Imagine that confidence in the ‘one-hole’? “In 22 games out of the leadoff spot, Betts hit .310 with a .388 on-base percentage and low strikeout ratio” (Brasseur). Granted that the sample size is too small to make any legitimate comparisons, but this kind of play is reminiscent of another leadoff man in Oakland, some years back. Rickey Henderson became the prototype for leadoff center fielders if they wanted to see their names in Cooperstown. He hit .288, with a .409 OBP and a .430 slugging percentage in 14 seasons for the Athletics. Betts is not Henderson, but both men had that same patience at the plate, aggressiveness on the basepaths, and swagger in the field.
Maybe, if given the same opportunity to start, Betts could prove his swagger to rival that of Henderson. The Red Sox’s outfield depth chart does not seem like it will stay the same in 2015. Victorino’s injuries hindered him from appearing last season and his age and contract status do not provide an image of the future. Ramirez has also shown to be prone to the injury bug, and Castillo still stands as an unproven talent at this point. Brock Holt may see some time in the outfield, but he has proven that he can handle jobs in the infield as well. Daniel Nava has had his chance to cement a spot and has found himself on the outside, looking into the outfield logjam.
Betts will have his chance because he deserves it. He has proven that he can hang in the majors with opposing pitchers. He can make the highlight reels with his defense. He can hit the long balls over the fences and into the hands of the Red Sox faithful. He can steal the Bostonian hearts by stealing the bases. Betts is a complete package, who is only getting better with playing time. If the Red Sox brass are smart, they will disregard his age by putting him in the lineup and remember his age when they decide that he is the future of the organization. He is only eligible for arbitration in 2018 and a free agent in 2021, making Betts a Red Sox staple for the foreseeable seasons. He will be a part of the club’s hopes and dreams for as long as he keeps playing this way.