The next level is not attained
The young players on the Red Sox have some marvelous projections attached to their collective futures, but projections sometimes are dismantled by reality. A few years ago Andrew McCutchen had comparisons to Willie Mays based on his performances and potential. Now he is trading fodder. A former Most Valuable Player whose stock is fast approaching penny stock status.
Will the same happen to Mookie Betts? Xander Bogaerts? Jackie Bradley? Bogaerts and Bradley give mild cause for concern with some degrading of statistics as the second half of 2017 advanced. Betts appears immune – just like McCutchen.
Andrew Benintendi is a favorite for Rookie of the Year and rightly so. The smooth swinging Benintendi looks like a .300 hitter with power and speed tossed in. Will it happen? The Red Sox and baseball history are littered with “Can’t Miss” that did just that.
Next: What lineup should the Red Sox use on opening day?
Other players of youth have question marks attached. Will Blake Swihart even be on the team? Swihart has an option and in the great roulette of roster numbers that makes him a prime target to be demoted. Christian Vazquez continues to improve after missing a season. His arm is not – at least appears to be – back to its near deadly accuracy. But is his bat of any help?