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Red Sox History: A historical look at feast or famine at third base

By Rick McNair

Jul 13, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; American League third baseman Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox (11) laughs during the first inning against the American League during the 2021 MLB All Star Game at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 13, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; American League third baseman Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox (11) laughs during the first inning against the American League during the 2021 MLB All Star Game at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 03: Will Middlebrooks #15 of the Texas Rangers gets a hit in his team debut against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 3, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 03: Will Middlebrooks #15 of the Texas Rangers gets a hit in his team debut against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 3, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

Red Sox have a rise and fall at third base

What could go wrong? A young, talented, controllable, right-handed slugger who can lock down third base for a decade. Will Middlebrooks checked all the boxes, and the highly ranked prospect burst on the scene in 2012.

The fifth-round draft pick (2012) hit .288, powered 15 home runs, and notched 54 RBI in a mere 75 games. The future looked spectacular for both the Red Sox and Middlebrooks. At the beginning of that 2012 season, I had seen Middlebrooks at Pawtucket, and folks that forgot more than I knew regarding baseball raved about the kid. Then it just fell apart.

Injuries are the unknown, and minor ones in baseball can alter a swing. Middlebrooks accumulated leg and hand injuries coupled with slumping production. San Diego, Milwaukee, Texas, and Philadelphia all rolled the dice on Middlebrooks, and it came up snake eyes.

All was not lost for Middlebrooks in his Boston stay. Jenny Dell was the Red Sox’s sideline reporter for the team – both competent and strikingly beautiful. Now she is Middlebrooks wife.

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