Boston Red Sox call up first wave of September reinforcements
By Sean Penney
Deven Marrero
The slick fielding shortstop is back with the big league club to provide infield depth.
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The utility infielder hit .111 with a .222 OPS in six games for the Red Sox this season in which he totaled only 9 at-bats. He wasn’t much better in Pawtucket this season, batting .198 with a .487 OPS in 96 games. Nothing that we have seen from Marrero over the last two years provides a sliver of optimism that he can contribute much with his bat, but he could be a useful defensive replacement when needed.
Most of his time in the majors has been spent at third base, where he has appeared 16 times over the last two seasons. That’s unlikely to be the case now, with Moncada battling Shaw for playing time at the hot corner and Aaron Hill expected to get the start against left-handed pitching.
Marrero could see some time at second base to give veteran Dustin Pedroia a breather. Moncada is a natural second baseman, but the Red Sox may not want to bounce their prized prospect between multiple positions in his first taste of the big leagues. If the team feels that he is their third baseman of the future then letting him stay there would be ideal, which could open a spot for Marrero as the primary back up to Pedroia.
He could also see time a shortstop to spell Xander Bogaerts on occasion.
Next: Robby Scott