Red Sox: Five player predictions for the upcoming 2017 season
4. Xander Bogaerts will hit 30 home runs
Whether it’s offensively or defensively, 24-year old Xander Bogaerts has gotten better and better every year. Bogaerts’ homer numbers have risen from 12 all the way to 21 in just two years and his slugging has jumped up significantly since he began his Major League career.
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Coming off a career high in home runs, RBI’s, runs scored and walks, Bogaerts is growing into Boston’s next star.
However, Bogaerts fell off a cliff after the All-Star break when he saw his average drop nearly 60 points, finishing at .294 last year. Bogaerts was known for his power coming through the minors and we are starting to see that power blossom. He finished second among American League shortstops in doubles with 34 and third among American League shortstops in home runs.
Bogaerts’ consistency is key after slumping in the second half and into the playoffs; however, he is still adapting and growing into his game and definitely has that raw power somewhere in his bat. Losing David Ortiz will cost the Red Sox a significant amount of power, but I believe Xander Bogaerts will hit 30 home runs this year manning the three whole in Boston’s stacked lineup.