Hitters
While Benintendi is getting all the praise, there are other hitters who are trying to make an impact on the coaching staff. Both of these players are trying to fight for a roster spot in Boston for Opening Day, but it seems highly unlikely that they both will be a part of the roster. These players are Marco Hernandez and Deven Marrero.
For position players, it is hard to argue that anyone other than Hernandez has had a better spring. Hernandez has appeared in 16 games, and has been on an absolute tear. Hitting .422 with 6 doubles and 5 triples, he has been unstoppable.
Hernandez has also been perfect in the field while being ranked in the top 10 for total fielding chances. Even with the Red Sox having a super-utility player in Brock Holt, Marco Hernandez is proving he cannot be left off the Opening Day roster.
Deven Marrero’s case to make the team is nowhere as strong as Hernandez’. Marrero is hitting .325 in 19 games, so it is clear that he is hitting the ball well. A strike against Marrero’s case to make the roster is where he plays. He is a natural middle infielder, and so it does not seem like Pedroia or Xander Bogaerts are going to be losing their job anytime soon.
Finally, Marrero has not been an effective fielder this Spring. In roughly 50 chances, he already has 3 errors. With the outstanding Spring Hernandez is having, it was already hard to see Marrero making the roster. Now with these errors, he seems destined to start the season in Pawtucket.