Race to 25: Update on the Red Sox Roster Battles
THE BENCH
Due to injuries, declining performances and the optioning of Christian Vazquez out of the big league camp, there is very little uncertainty left surrounding which four players will make up the Red Sox bench. It will be Brock Holt, Chris Young, Ryan Hanigan and Travis Shaw. However, who is going to be the primary bench player, receiving the most spot starts and at-bats? Will Shaw’s emergence take away opportunities for Holt at third base and possibly in the outfield? Will Shaw’s emergence take away starts from Chris Young?
The Candidates
- Brock Holt
- Chris Young
- Travis Shaw
The State of the Competition
Holt has appeared in 11 games this spring and is batting .346 over 26 at-bats. He has one HR, two RBIs, four walks and has struck out three times.
Young has appeared in 10 games this spring and has four hits in 22 at-bats, which amounts to a .182 BA. He also has one HR and two RBIs, and walked three times and struck out three times.
In 11 spring starts, Shaw is batting .419 (13 for 31), with six runs, two doubles, two HRs, nine RBIs, two walks and four strikeouts.
The At-Bats Leaderboard
- Brock Holt
- Travis Shaw
- Chris Young
Holt remains the favorite to be the first player off the bench for the Red Sox, so to speak. He truly is a super-utility player and will be the back-up at both second and shortstop. Moreover, he is capable of starting at third and the corner outfield positions, if necessary. While Shaw can spell Sandoval at third and Hanley Ramirez at first, it has yet to be determined if he can provide coverage in the outfield. Therefore, for now, there are more opportunities for Holt, and let us not forget the super-utility man was an All-Star last season.
Next: Projecting Opening Day Roster