Sep 4, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman
Brock Holt(26) at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Brock Holt
The 5’10”, 185-pound lightning bolt of energy sparked the Red Sox, last season. Holt’s abilities as a utility player cut through the dark clouds and made him noticed by Red Sox Nation and the club managers.
Just don’t expect him to start in April, in the outfield or otherwise.
In 449 at-bats, Holt hit .281, with a .331 OBP and a .381 SLG, demonstrating power and speed, much like Betts and Castillo. He bashed 4 home runs, 29 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases; however, it took him 44 more games than Castillo and Betts combined. Holt also struck out 98 times, while only earning 33 walks. At times, it seemed that the pressure was on Holt to succeed, as veterans were out with injuries, to turn the season around for the Red Sox. It can be tough trying to fill the shoes for players, like second baseman Dustin Pedroia. You are worrying about proving yourself as a young player in the majors, and then you are asked to produce just as much as an American League MVP award winner. It can be frustrating, which sometimes leads to unnecessary swings at the plate.
In Holt’s case, being 26 and versatile, defensively, makes him more likely to be kept around, unlike Craig. Holt can fill many different holes and he also has proven that he can summon energy to hit the ball and run the base paths, aggressively. If he were to be traded, it would be for a top-notch player, likely as a package for an ace starting pitcher. If those aces are not on the table, expect Holt to be clubbing balls for the Red Sox when an injury or other scenarios play out.