Boston Red Sox first half grades
By Rick McNair
Infield
Travis Shaw – B
A bit shaky at times with the glove, but after a year of Pablo Sandoval, absolutely anything is an improvement. His UZR/150 is a respectable 5.6 and DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) is at five for second place in the American League.
Shaw started hot, cooled off, and has perked up again. Do not expect 30 home runs or a .300 average, but most certainly expect a boatload of doubles, RBI in bunches and the occasional long ball. The beauty is Shaw can play first and even wander to left field if needed.
Xander Bogaerts – A+
All-Star and possible batting champion. Great RISP of .386. Gap power, down the line power, home run power developing and one extremely tough out. Above average range and defensive ability. The total package. Is he still too tall to play short?
Dustin Pedroia – A
Leads all AL second basemen in DRS, UZR/150 and aggravating everyone from teammates, to the opposition to the umpires. Pedey’s bat is back with an over .300 average, some returning home run pop and a pace to go 40+ in doubles. The downside or is it – double plays. Pedroia has bounced into a league leading number, but when you hit bullets sometimes they get two with it.
Hanley Ramirez – B-
The transition to first base has gone rather well after the LF disaster of 2015. Defensively, you see some minus signs on the metrics, but a bundle more for three-time Gold Glove winner Eric Hosmer. Hanley has done just fine.
The big bucks are being doled out for hitting and that has been rather tepid especially in the power department. What does catch attention is the RBI total that projects to over 90 – Ramirez has surpassed only 100 RBI once in his career.
The reserves
This is pure Pawtucket with a collection of fringe players who can shuffle back and forth on I-95. Josh Rutledge (B-) did a nice job until he slumped and went DL. Marco Hernandez (B-) has shown some good hitting instincts and could contribute off the bench. Deven Marrero (C-) personifies good field and no hit.