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Red Sox: Comparing this year’s Opening Day roster to 2018’s

By Jacob Anes

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: Brock Holt #12 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with Rafael Devers #11 after the game against the Houston Astros during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: Brock Holt #12 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with Rafael Devers #11 after the game against the Houston Astros during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 12: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19, Mookie Betts #50, and J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after the game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 12, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. Red Sox won 4-1. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Left field:

2018: Andrew Benintendi, J.D Martinez

2019: Andrew Benintendi, J.D Martinez

This is another pretty simple one. Andrew Benintendi will look to follow up his breakout year where he posted a .830 OPS with another big year. The 4th OF will be J.D Martinez who will likely play left at Fenway and right on the road. If Jackie Bradley Jr. was to get hurt or have the night off, either Benintendi or Betts would play center with Martinez taking one of the corner OF spots. Benintendi will hit leadoff this season with Mookie Betts moving to the two-hole. Minor league OF depth includes Gorkys Hernandez and Bryce Brentz. Brock Holt can also play all three outfield spots if needed.

Center field:

2018: Jackie Bradley Jr.

2019: Jackie Bradley Jr.

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In 2018, Bradley Jr. was pretty much the opposite of Mitch Moreland, as he started super slow and then was great in the second half. His first half OPS was .642 and in the second half, it was .827.

In 2019, he came to camp with a new swing and it resulted in a 1.042 OPS during the spring. Look for him to try and build off the strong spring and strong second half.

Bradley will get the majority of playing time in center field with Betts and Benintendi getting starts there every now and then.

Right field:

2018: Mookie Betts

2019: Mookie Betts

The AL MVP will obviously be the full-time starter in right field. In addition to having one of the best bats in the league, Betts is also probably a top-3 defender in all of baseball. He will hit second this year and the Red Sox are likely expecting him to have another superstar year.

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