Red Sox Series Preview: Rays’ first 2015 visit to Fenway

May 2, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart (23) gets a hit during the 5th inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. The Yankees won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox players to watch

Blake Swihart may have only two major league games under his belt, but his debut at Fenway has generated excitement for the arrival of perhaps their best prospect, and the best catching prospect in the majors. Swihart’s motoring around the bases on Saturday after noon to score on a Mookie Betts double thrilled fans with the athleticism he showed scoring all the way from first base. It seems that Swihart has been thrust into the first string role as long as Ryan Hanigan is out. This is sooner than the Red Sox might have wanted but his poise thus far has shown that he is not overwhelmed by the big league stage. How he develops could be the storyline of the summer if this team continues to flounder.

Mookie Betts might be only hitting around .220, but along with Swihart, he is an exciting young player that fans want to see. He is second on the team with 15 RBI (driving in runs in five straight games.) and second in runs with 13 and first in steals with five. Considering he just started playing center field last year, he is as exciting on defense as he is on the offensive side. He was seven for his last 21 going into last night’s game with three doubles, so he is getting his average back up to the lofty heights where Red Sox fans hope it will stay.

Hanley Ramirez has provided the power the Red Sox hoped for when they signed him to a four year $88 million contract. He has cooled off over the last few days, but his ten April homers tied a team record in that category. Fans are hoping he gets back to his slugging ways and provides the offense that was barely there in the Yankees series.