Boston Red Sox at the one-third mark
By Rick McNair
Outfield
Let’s get the bad news out of the way and that is the UZR/150 of left field that ranks next to last in the American League with a -6.7. Much of that is weighted by range factors, since the good news is they are collectively a plus two in DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) and lead the AL in OOZ (Plays outside Zone). The other two outfield slots? Oh boy, as visions of Fred Lynn and Dwight Evans appear.
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One must also take swings and this group can produce runs in batches and are similar to their infield counterparts – no sustainable power. Gee – I’ll live with that, as the runs keep flowing and the hits keep rattlin’. You go metrics and use WAR, this grouping is well ahead of every other outfield contingent in the AL. Best outfield in AL? I’ll argue that.
The Red Sox have responded with some game time for Blake Swihart and his transition will be watched like investors watch Janet Yellen for a sneeze. Swihart’s early results are promising with the glove and he’ll need some at-bats to see if he can join the line drive club. Swihart is the latest attempt to rectify a situation that surfaced in spring training and just maybe the promising bat of Swihart will be entrenched in LF?
The issue with left field surfaced in the spring when Rusney Castillo simply failed to realize the idea is you are supposed to use a bat to hit the little white sphere the pitcher tosses. A plus defender with a limped bat. Off to Pawtucket. Chris Young was hired on with a two-year deal to do what he does best and rake left-hand pitchers and fill in where needed.
The Red Sox minor league depth in the outfield is quite limited, so a move in the next month to solidify LF may not be a cosmic shock. No diss on the versatile Mr. Holt, but his role appears better suited for the ultimate Golden Ticket of utility work.
First Third Surprise: Jackie Bradley over .300.
First Third Disappointment: Castillo not grabbing LF.
First Third Results: Excellent.
Second Third Prognosis: Excellent