Red Sox: Five player predictions for the upcoming 2017 season
3. Brock Holt will emerge as the Red Sox everyday third baseman
With Travis Shaw and Yoan Moncada being dealt away this offseason, and Pablo Sandoval‘s uncertainty, the Red Sox know what they can get out of Brock Holt on a consistent basis.
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Obviously, the Red Sox want Sandoval to be the every day third baseman due to his potential when he’s on his game and they don’t want a guy on that big of a contract on the bench. Reports of Sandoval being in his best shape of his life and really putting in the work this offseason is good to hear for Red Sox Nation; however, if Sandoval can’t get the job done, the Red Sox can turn to Holt to be a spark plug at the bottom of the order.
Last year we saw Holt play basically anywhere he was asked to and produce when he was in the lineup. As the season went on and Travis Shaw continued to struggle, Holt found himself starting at third in the ALDS and was Boston’s top hitter that series.
If Holt were to win the starting job at third base, it would be good for the Red Sox because of his ability to put the ball in play and run. However, it can hurt them in the long run with losing his utility role.