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Boston Red Sox: Five things for fans to look forward to in 2020

By Drew Athans

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 23: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox hits an RBI double during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 23: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox hits an RBI double during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – APRIL 12: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox makes a leaping catch in the eighth inning agains the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 12, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley /Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 12: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox makes a leaping catch in the eighth inning agains the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 12, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley /Getty Images) /

Jackie Bradley Jr in CF

One of the most fun things to watch over the last few seasons has been the Red Sox outfield. In Andrew Benintendi, the recently departed Mookie Betts, and Jackie Bradley they have three of the best defensive outfielders in the game with five Gold Gloves between them (one for Bradley, four for Betts). While Mookie patrolled right field and Benintendi handled the Green Monster in left, it’s been Bradley who has covered the spacious Fenway Park center field with grace.

I’m going to leave Bradley’s notoriously streaky hitting out of this, although his final line of a .221 average, 21 home runs, and 62 RBI in 2019 was perfectly adequate for a guy hitting out of the nine-hole in the order. It’s his defense that really rounds out his full worth to the team and keeps him in the lineup day after day despite his oftentimes long dry spells at the plate.

There are too many great plays Jackie has made over the last few years to go into detail and the fact that he only has one Gold Glove is a crime (although it also speaks to how loaded at center field the American League has been). With the speed and smoothness with which he moves and his rifle of an arm, I always enjoy watching him track down any ball that’s hit his way and I expect it to be ever the same this year.

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