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Race to 25: Update on the Red Sox Roster Battles

By Max Sandgrund

Mar 9, 2016; Bradenton, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox infielder Travis Shaw (47) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a two run home run in the first inning of the spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Bradenton, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox infielder Travis Shaw (47) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a two run home run in the first inning of the spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2016; Bradenton, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox infielder Pablo Sandoval (48) hits a pop fly in the third inning of the spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Bradenton, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox infielder Pablo Sandoval (48) hits a pop fly in the third inning of the spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

STARTING THIRD BASEMAN

Although Pablo Sandoval is almost surely going to open the season as the team’s starting third baseman, his poor play, along with Shaw’s continued dominance at the plate, is making that fact harder and harder for John Farrell and the Red Sox to live with.  Is there a chance the question of who should start at third is revisited should their current spring performances continue through the rest of March?  Yes.

The Candidates

  1. Pablo Sandoval
  2. Travis Shaw

The State of the Competition

Sandoval has appeared in seven games this spring and has registered two hits in 16 at-bats, which is good for a .125 BA.  He has struck out twice and not walked once, which puts his OBP at .125 as well.  Sandoval has played 36 innings at third base, and has two errors on nine defensive chances, giving him a .778 fielding percentage this spring, which is worst on the team.

Shaw has appeared in seven games as well.  He is 10-for-19 overall at the plate, giving him a .526 BA.  Shaw also has two HRs and eight RBIs, both of which lead the team this spring.  In terms of defense, Shaw has played 30 innings at the corner infield positions, most of which have come at third base, and he is 15-for-15 on defensive chances for a 1.000 fielding percentage.

The Leaderboard

Assuming this were a real competition, where the best player wins the job:

  1. Travis Shaw
  2. Pablo Sandoval

In reality:

  1. Pablo Sandoval
  2. Travis Shaw

Next: The Bench

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