BoSox Injection
Fansided

Race to 25: Update on the Red Sox Roster Battles

By Max Sandgrund

Sep 9, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly (56) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly (56) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
Oct 1, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Travis Shaw (47) singles to left center during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Starting Third Baseman

As stated at the top, John Farrell is going to be managing with a small sense of urgency.  In fact, it can be argued the team is going to be run with a small set of urgency after two last place finishes in a row in the AL East.  Thus, if Pablo Sandoval and Travis Shaw look this Spring like they did in 2015, Shaw, who has played both corner infield spots before, may supplant Sandoval as the starting third baseman on opening day.

What happened this week?

Sandoval and Shaw each appeared in one of the college exhibition games on Tuesday.  Sandoval played the opener against Boston College and struggled, as he misplayed a ball at third and was 0-for-2 at the plate, leaving four men on base.  Shaw played against Northeastern and went 2-for-3, with a double, single and two RBIs.

Since then, both Sandoval and Shaw have played in two more games.  Sandoval went o-for-4 in his two as he continues to look for his first hit of the Spring, while Shaw went 2-for-5 with a double and a walk.

Overall, Sandoval is 0-for-6 and Shaw is 4-for-8 at the plate.  Defensively, Shaw has looked just as good as Sandoval playing the position.

Who won the week?

Shaw easily won the week, but let’s be very clear in that he will have to win every week by a wide margin this Spring in order to replace Sandoval as the starting third baseman before Opening Day.

Next: Starting Left Fielder

Home/Red Sox News