Former Red Sox Will Middlebrooks and the prospect trap
By Rick McNair
Former Boston Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks has announced his retirement. Middlebrooks was once the number ranked prospect in the system – a warning not to over evaluate.
The announcement was just a footnote in the papers or ignored since the retirement of 30-year-old Will Middlebrooks is certainly not a moment to clutter up social and print media. Middlebrooks has packed it in with injuries and performance issues that both stalled and eventually finished off his MLB career.
Just how good was Middlebrooks? At one point in his young career, the fifth-round draft choice was the top-ranked Red Sox prospect just like Blake Swihart or Mookie Betts. Middlebrooks was the prospect “real deal” as a right-handed power hitter that the Red Sox historically slobber over. And he did show most certainly he was the “real deal” for half a season.
In 2012, Middlebrooks arrived to play third base. Just 23-years-old Middlebrooks showed that evaluators were on target with his projections after hitting .288 with 15 home runs and 54 RBI in just 75 games. Extrapolate that to a full season and 30+ dingers a year was a given – or was it?
Sometimes the trajectory for a prospect goes like a Saturn V like a Betts and then the other direction like Middlebrooks or Henry Owens. Middlebrooks flashed out in 2013 and 2014 and was traded. Welcome to the MLB merry-go-round as Middlebrooks went to multiple organizations with each praying to the baseball Gods Middlebrooks would resuscitate his career.
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At this point in time, the fresh shiny keys are other prospects who could play third base. Michael Chavis is the number one prospect in a depleted system and will take his power to Pawtucket (AAA). Bobby Dalbec shredded Salem (A+) for 26 home runs and will take his act two to Portland (AA). And we are not done.
Third-ranked prospect and first-round draft selection (2018) Triston Casas will take his massive frame and potential to the low minors. The Red Sox eleventh ranked prospect is 19-year-old Danny Diaz who hit .238 in the Dominican Summer League.
As former football coach Darrell Royal once stated: “Potential means you ain’t done nothing yet.” That is exactly what is one display with Dalbec, Chavis, et al. Maybe they will one and all have splendid ten-year careers, but the chances are slim based on the daunting history they are facing.
Every year we are faced with the litany of prospects and their projections. Need bullpen help? Forget it, as Durbin Feltman will soon arrive with his blazing Craig Hansen like fastball. Maybe Jay Groome will get his arm miseries over with and become the new Owens or – if the wheels of fate align – the new Jon Lester.
Next. Red Sox sign Steven Wright to a 1-year deal. dark
I fully realize that not marching to the expected mantra of everyone in the farm system is the new best thing runs negative to the ingrained hopes in Red Sox Nation. Everyone will be a star! The reality, folks, that is not happening. I fell for the Middlebrooks prospect trap despite a long history of prospects who made a blazing beginning only to sputter out.