One current star and one future star earned their fair share of praise this week.
If you weren’t aware, the Red Sox are rolling of late, having won seven of their last eight and hold a three-game lead over the competition in the American League East. Over the past seven days, no player on the club has done more to get them there than stud right fielder Mookie Betts.
The 24-year-old put together a record-setting week, slashing .483/.556/.862 over 7 games (36 plate appearances) with two doubles, three homers, three steals, 11 runs batted in, and a 259 wRC+. During Sunday’s 15-1 blowout of the Blue Jays, he tied the major league record for most RBIs by a leadoff hitter in a single game with eight. To cap off his historic week, he was named to the American League All-Star Team and earned AL Player of the Week honors.
Mookie, so hot right now. 💪
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 3, 2017
Congrats on the AL Player of the Week honors, @mookiebetts! pic.twitter.com/EHHfqTHmdq
It was the third time (second of 2017) that Betts has earned the distinction in his young career.
Down in the minor leagues, Rafael Devers may not be the superstar that Mookie Betts is yet, but he’s well on his way. The top ranked third base prospect in baseball and the Red Sox’ number one overall prospect wasn’t
the
minor league player of the week, but he was named to the
.
More from BoSox Injection
- Red Sox invited group of players you’ve probably never heard of to Spring Training
- Jeter Downs’ official departure will continue to haunt Red Sox
- Aaron Judge’s Yankees return a brutal reminder of what could have been for Red Sox
- Red Sox should capitalize on Yankees’ latest roster move
- Red Sox ownership’s latest reported venture could be what’s affected team spending
The 20-year-old continues to inch closer to making an impact at the major league level, which may come sooner than later as whispers of a call up begin to intensify. In any case, the young third baseman enjoyed one hell of a week, slashing .529/.600/1.176 to go with a pair of doubles, three home runs, four runs, and seven RBIs. He collected a hit in each of the five games he played and was named to the All-Star Futures Team for the second time.
While his bat is undeniable (.306 average, .960 OPS, 17 HR, 52 RBI) questions continue to be levied against his ability to play third base at the major league level. His 6-foot, 195-pound frame isn’t the traditional profile of a major league third baseman, but that hasn’t stopped him so far. His 10 errors in 58 games indicate that he’s still a work in progress, however, Red Sox assistant GM Eddie Romero confirmed the club’s belief in his ability to the Boston Globe’s Alex Speier.
"“I think he’s an everyday third baseman. I think he’s light on his feet, he’s got a strong, accurate arm, he’s got confident hands,” said Romero. “He hasn’t shown me or our staff any reason to believe he won’t be able to handle third base at the major league level.”"
Next: The Red Sox are starting to run away with the AL East
In that case, it’s only a matter of time until we see the future star in the big leagues. Between Betts and Devers, the present and future are bright in Boston.