Red Sox Spring Training: Boston’s youth flexes their muscle in afternoon tilt

Red Sox youth shows their strength in Twins loss

Today was a day that many baseball fans have been waiting for for what seems like ages. The spring training schedule finally kicked off and we had live games once again on our screens….sort of. For Red Sox fans, and I’m sure several others around the league, the spring training tv schedule is a puzzle that makes zero sense and many were left catching highlights on social media and listening via radio. That didn’t stop fans around the globe from celebrating the return of the game and Boston did their part to get fans excited.

I know that as you read that last sentence you’re probably gearing up to get angry but hear me out, today wasn’t a total loss. Yeah, the scoreboard puts a tally in the “L” column but there were plenty of good things to take away from this afternoon’s game with the Twins. Boston’s pitching was its usual Jekyll and Hyde self but the real story of the day was the Red Sox youth and their power.

It all started with Bobby Dalbec launching a ball out of orbit and getting his spring account opened up in a hurry. Dalbec of course became the heir apparent to longtime Red Sox first baseman and took over the mantle once Mitchy Two-Bags was traded at last year’s deadline.

Though he’s primarily been a third baseman the righty has been doing work at first base and his bat has been white-hot since getting promoted last summer. The homer gave the Sox a short-lived lead until the Twins stormed back for five runs in the bottom of the inning.

The firework display wasn’t down there and the next man to notch a homer onto his stat-sheet was none other than the Ice Horse, Michael Chavis. Boston’s third-year utilityman kicked off the 5th inning with one of his patented power shots to right field.

In his first at-bat Chavis grounded out to second but he would take plenty away from that trip to the plate. He’d see a similar set of pitches in his second go-around and made sure to capitalize bringing Boston within three runs.

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I have to say the player that I walked away from today’s game the most excited to see going forward is Jeter Downs. He’s currently ranked second in the Red Sox system per Sox Prospects, and he showed why today. Right after Chavis’ homer, Michael Gettys walked, and then Downs brought him home. Jeters’ blast brought Boston within a run and the young second baseman wouldn’t be done there as he’d also knock in another run with a single in the 6th.

Today may have been a downer in the grand scheme of things with the Red Sox getting in the hole early, storming back, just to give it away late, but the team showed one hell of a fight today. Just remember last year, how many times did we see this team give up a handful of runs early and just lay down? It may have only been one game and the outcome still wasn’t what we wanted but showing that fight gives me optimism that the will is there.

The Red Sox have been undergoing a bit of turnover the last few years and this new crop of guys are beginning to stake their claim to the team. There are still plenty of veterans in the lineup but I doubt this spring will be the last we’ve seen of plenty of these guys. Chavis is a bit of an odd man out in the lineup but a strong spring could lock his spot in. Dalbec is a for sure start at first and he’ll be in the Opening Day lineup. And Downs? I wouldn’t be surprised to see him raking at Fenway Park by the end of the season. This crop of talent is young, hungry, and damn good at baseball and they’re ready to let the world know.