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Boston Red Sox: 10 greatest hitters in franchise history

By Sean Penney

Boston Red Sox David Ortiz (R) is congratulated his solo homer by teammate Manny Ramirez in the top of the first innings against Japan's Hanshin Tigers in an exhibition game in the Tokyo Dome on March 22, 2008.The Boston Red Sox managed a narrow 6-5 victory against Tigers in an exhibition game here, days ahead of the official season opening games against the Oakland Athletics. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGI (Photo credit should read KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox David Ortiz (R) is congratulated his solo homer by teammate Manny Ramirez in the top of the first innings against Japan's Hanshin Tigers in an exhibition game in the Tokyo Dome on March 22, 2008.The Boston Red Sox managed a narrow 6-5 victory against Tigers in an exhibition game here, days ahead of the official season opening games against the Oakland Athletics. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGI (Photo credit should read KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 29: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during the sixth inning at Fenway Park on September 29, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts

Mookie Betts barely meets the criteria with only five full seasons with the Red Sox and just under 800 games but he was such a spectacular player to watch that I couldn’t leave him off my list.

Betts had a breakout season in 2016 when he hit .318/.363/.534 with 31 home runs. He was primarily a leadoff hitter but spent nearly one-third of his time in the middle of the lineup that season, allowing him to drive in a career-high 113 RBI. Betts earned his first All-Star appearance and Silver Slugger while finishing as the runner-up for the AL MVP.

During the historic 2018 season when the Red Sox set a franchise record for wins on their way to a World Series title, Betts led the way with his best year. He won a batting title by hitting .346 while leading the league with a .640 SLG and 129 runs scored. Betts also set career-highs with 32 home runs and a 1.078 OPS to capture the MVP award. His 10.4 WAR that year ranks as the seventh-best season by a position player in franchise history, per FanGraphs.

He’s never been a prolific power hitter but he’s elite for the role that he filled at the top of the Red Sox batting order. His .302 average and 110 home runs as a leadoff hitter are the best in franchise history among those with 200+ plate appearances in that role.

Betts is also an elite base runner, topping 20 stolen bases four times. He’s one of only two players in Red Sox history with a 30+ home run/30+ stolen base season.

The controversial trade that shipped Betts to Los Angeles might haunt us forever and undoubtedly prevents him from climbing higher in these rankings. He had a chance to be one of the best all-around players in Red Sox history if he spent most of his career here. Even with a relatively short tenure in Boston, Betts still makes my list.

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