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Red Sox: Five players that can replace Mookie Betts in right field

By Brendan Mizgala

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 23: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after striking out during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on September 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 23: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after striking out during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on September 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 09: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox catches a fly ball hit by Edwin Encarnacion #30 of the New York Yankees during the seventh inning of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on September 09, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Jackie Bradley Jr.

My thought process here is much like it was with Benintendi. Jackie Bradley Jr. is an absolute defensive wizard for the Red Sox in center field. JBJ is a multi-time Gold Glove winner and has some of the best catches I’ve ever seen. The best things that Jackie has working in his favor are his instincts and speed. He has a damn sixth sense when it comes to playing the outfield and he’d be an easy solution to replace Mookie in right.

There wasn’t much to be excited about during the 2019 season but one of the few high points came thanks to JBJ. During an extra-inning tilt against the Orioles, he came up huge for Boston by making a jaw-dropping catch to rob Trey Mancini of a walk-off. The play was so spectacular that it was voted “Play of the Year,” by the MLB Network.

Jackie doesn’t get as much shine as some of the other players on the roster due to his often quiet trips to the plate. Despite being named the ALCS MVP during the 2018 World Series run, his offensive heroics are few and far between. Bradley has never been known to be a powerhouse in the batter’s box and is paid more for what he can do with his glove.

I think JBJ may get the most reps in right thanks to his defensive prowess and ability to just sense where the ball is going to be hit. He may not win the job outright coming out of spring training but I think he could be called upon during the season. With this being the last year on his current contract, this is his time to make a big statement to not only the Red Sox but any prospective teams.

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