Boston Red Sox best rookies in franchise history at each position

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 05: The sun sets behind Fenway Park during the second inning of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins on September 05, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 05: The sun sets behind Fenway Park during the second inning of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins on September 05, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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BOSTON, MA – CIRCA 1963: Frank Malzone #11 of the Boston Red Sox bats during an Major League Baseball game circa 1963 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Malzone played for the Red Sox from 1955-65. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – CIRCA 1963: Frank Malzone #11 of the Boston Red Sox bats during an Major League Baseball game circa 1963 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Malzone played for the Red Sox from 1955-65. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Third Base

The Red Sox found a nugget in Frank Malzone who signed for pocket change.  The right-handed hitting Malzone finished second in ROY ballot in 1957 but won a Gold Glove, became an All-Star, cranked out 15 home runs, and platted 103 RBI. That was just the beginning of a career that showed remarkable consistency in the field and hitting.

Malzone played 11 seasons for the Red Sox hitting .276 and making the Red Sox HOF in the process. Post-career, Malzone became a staple in the organization in multiple roles. From my own memories, Malzone was a clutch hitter and had a rocket launcher for an arm. Very similar in style to Mike Lowell.

Honorable Mention: In 1982 Wade Boggs played just 103 games but hit .349 and only 39 of those games were starts at third base. Boggs defensively was ugly until later in his career but he’ll get the nod.

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