Boston Red Sox utility prospect Nick Sogard
When you look at the numbers, Nick Sogard is nowhere close to the most exciting Red Sox prospect. The switch-hitter slashed .254/.359/.349 in 401 at-bats between Double-A and Triple-A last season. He hit 22 doubles, two triples, and just four home runs.
There's so much more than just those numbers, though. Sogard's run production was okay. He drove in 43 runs and scored 59 more over 125 games, managing 18 steals. Sogard also limited the strikeouts. He recorded 88 Ks with a solid 61 walks to counter that number.
Sogard's also a solid defender who added to his versatility last season. The 25-year-old has appeared at second base, shortstop, and third base plenty in his career. 2022 saw him log innings in all three outfield spots as well. That extra versatility will keep Sogard on the field more often and make him a more valuable asset.
The new versatility on defense isn't what makes Sogard so interesting heading into 2023, though. Sogard has only appeared in 268 MiLB games. He still has under 1,000 at-bats (912). Making it to Triple-A that quickly, you wouldn't be surprised if someone struggled. Instead, Sogard has held his own and has yet to look overmatched.
Entering 2023, he now has 201 at-bats in Triple-A. So while he's still pretty new to the minor leagues, there's plenty of experience at this level. Sogard has a good contact bat with a little more power than he showed in 2022. He'll give you good defense at multiple positions and solid speed on the basepaths.
And we still may not have seen the best of Nick Sogard. He's not a top prospect in the Boston Red Sox system, and at 25, some might see him as older. But with such little experience but good numbers to show for it, you can't help but be intrigued by what Sogard might do next.