It was announced this week that Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia will be starting 2019 on the Injured List. This will be Brock Holt’s chance to shine early in the season.
Dustin Pedroia has fought hard over the last year to make his way back to the Red Sox starting lineup. Unfortunately, that comeback has been put on hold as he’ll start the season on the IL. Pedroia finally made his return to active play this month during spring training but with the regular season on the horizon, it’s time to be smart.
He was able to knock some rust off during Grapefruit League play but he’s coming back from a serious knee injury and it shouldn’t be forced. Chris Cotillo of Masslive.com captured Pedroia’s on the matter during a recent media scrum.
"“They have had to hold me back,” Pedroia told reporters in Fort Myers Monday. “I’m ready for Opening Day. They’re scared. No one has ever come back from something like this.”"
Though it’s clear there’s some frustration as all Pedroia wants to do is play baseball, he respects the team’s decision to be smart with his health. After losing Dustin to injury and then surgery and setbacks the Red Sox are being hesitant with his return to the diamond full-time. And rightfully so.
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"“I don’t think the team was expecting me to come and look the way I look,” Pedroia said. “They just want to make sure they do it right."
With all that being said and the unfortunate nature that Dustin won’t be making the trip to Seattle to kick off the season, this leaves the door open for Brock Holt to stake a claim at second. Holt is the ultimate utility man and has done everything that the Red Sox and Alex Cora have ever asked of him. With Pedroia set to miss the opening 11-game road trip, this is a chance for Holt to turn some heads.
This will be a big season for Brock as he’ll be a free agent once the calendar flips on the 2019 season. He’s made it clear that he’d love to stay in Boston for his career as there is a mutual love between himself and the city, but baseball is still a business. If Holt can have a monster season and once again prove his versatility around the diamond, he could command a nice payday. Not Mike Trout levels, but still pretty damn good for a player of Brock’s caliber.
The 2019 season could be a make or break for Brock as his career is literally on the line. With free agency looming he’ll want to have as explosive a year as possible. This will all start with the beginning of the season and a possible opportunity to fill in for Pedroia during his stint on the IL. He doesn’t need to go off the charts in the first weeks of the season but a strong start could mean the world for his future.
Brock will have to contend with Eduardo Nunez as Nunie is also versatile enough to cover second when called upon. I don’t believe Holt will have too much of a hurdle to jump as Nunez is more so a third baseman and will most likely be splitting time with Rafael Devers at the hot corner. So it appears that Brock will have a clear shot at second base when Pedroia can’t take the field.
Brock Holt has been a major asset to the Red Sox and has come through time and time again when Cora and the team have needed him to. He went from a player that was almost cut to being one of the keys to the Red Sox winning the World Series in 2018. Holt is also the first player to ever hit for the cycle in the postseason, which he accomplished against the Yankees in the ALDS.
The Red Sox are right in being patient with the pesky left knee of Dustin Pedroia. There’s no reason to rush him back just to have an incident happen that may put him on the shelf again. They also have a quality backup in Holt that can take the mantle when necessary. The Red Sox have an embarrassment of riches at the moment and Holt is a part of that treasure chest. With the door open for him to kick off his 2019 with a bang, I look for him to do exactly that.