Who’s on first for the Red Sox?

Jul 31, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Brock Holt (26) bats during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Brock Holt plays just about anywhere and first base is certainly a possibility once Dustin Pedroia returns from the disabled list.

Holt has played 119.1 innings at first base for the Red Sox. His fielding with such a short sample can best be described as average. He will make the plays and knowing Holt you should not get any mental mistakes, so the glove would not be a deal breaker.

Holt is a reasonably gifted hitter who is willing to chip in with those pesky intangibles such as moving a runner over and giving a tough at bat. Holt, a left-handed hitter, is also one who has hit .277 in his career against left-handed pitching – slightly better than he hits right-handers. A number that does stand out is six and that represents career home runs from a position that is normally reserved for those with clout.

Holt is now sinking and that may be symptomatic of a player who simply gets burned out as the season progresses. In 2014, Holt hit .219 in the second half and in 2015 history appears to be repeating itself as Holt recently ended a 0-16 stretch.

Examining the power issue and the wear issue the Red Sox just may be better off keeping Holt’s versatility job description in place.