Red Sox vs the AL East: shortstops

Sep 24, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) tosses his bat as he watches his two-run double against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

3. Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox

There’s no doubt about it; Bogaerts’ first full season with the Red Sox was a disappointment. Touted as the second best prospect in all of baseball before the season, Bogaerts slashed only .240/.297/.362 with 12 home runs in 144 games. But still just 22 years old, last season is far from a death sentence on Bogaerts’ career. He still has a huge ceiling and, with the starting shortstop job seemingly all locked up, Bogaerts will be able to focus fully on his hitting rather than switching between shortstop and third base. It’s highly likely that Bogaerts will improve in 2015 and perhaps this could be the start of a lengthy career of excellent performance as Boston’s shortstop.