Red Sox Round Table: Over/Under predictions for 2017
By Sean Penney
The BoSox Injection staff gives their opinions on if Boston Red Sox players will end up going over or under certain predictions this season.
Spring presents baseball fans with an opportunity to look ahead and make predictions about the upcoming season. I tossed out a few projections about the Boston Red Sox and asked our staff to decide if they felt the actual results will end up over or under those numbers.
Naturally not everyone will agree on each topic, but varying opinions is part of the fun! Let the debate begin.
Hanley Ramirez over/under 30 home runs
Sean Penney: I’ll take the over, knowing full well he’s only done that once in his career. A few injury shortened seasons are partially to blame for why he hasn’t done it more often, while he also spent most of his career playing in pitcher-friendly ballparks. He has hit a home run every 14.2 at-bats over his career when serving as the designated hitter, which would put him in the mid-30’s range if he can sustain that over a full season spent primarily in that role.
Rick McNair: I will not go over/under,but even. Another 30 for Hanley with a jacked lineup that gives him opportunities to swing.
Jake Sauberman: Under, barely. Hanley had a great 2016, but he’s only topped the 30 homer mark twice in his 12 year career. Yes, he’s adjusted his game more toward the power end, but with Moreland taking over first and Hanley regulated to a mostly DH role, I don’t see him getting enough at-bats to eclipse 30 homers. I see 26-28 as a more realistic number.
Jon Corn: Over 30 home runs but not by a lot, maybe 31-32. Him being the DH I think will help him a lot. He’ll stay healthier and more productive.
David Spampinato: Over. Hanley beefed up and it seems like he did it the right way as opposed to the way he did in 2015. I think he’ll build off his success from last year.
Chris Embree: Under – He’s only hit more than 30 home runs in a season once (he hit 30 last year so technically he didn’t go over). Right now he’s dealing with a shoulder injury and won’t play in the World Baseball Classic. We all remember how he played when he injured his shoulder in 2015. He also won’t have David Ortiz protecting him in the lineup like he did last season. I think he’ll still have a good season, but I don’t think he’ll eclipse 30 home runs.
Drew Peabody: I am not confident that Hanley can stay healthy all season, so I am going to go under on 30 homers.