The Boston Red Sox were one of the favorites to take home the World Series last year, but fell apart in Sep and didn't even make the playoffs. Heads began to roll and now they begin the 2012 year with a new manager. Let's check out the orders they are going to be using this year. If you're intending to do any baseball gambling this year then read our overviews to get off to a quick start.
Projected Hitters
Jarred Saltalamacchia (Catcher) - Saltalamacchia's career high of 16 homers and 56 RBI were all for zilch, as he hit a sub-par .230 last year. His lack of an eye will always obstruct his expansion as a player, but his power production will always be there. If he doesn't improve his terrible average, then he will have a tough time reaching his potential for Boston.
Adrian Gonzalez (First Base) - In his first year with Boston, Gonzalez turned in a pretty fascinating year. Although he hit for a solid .338 average with 117 RBI, his 27 homers were a unhappiness. The All-Star first baseman had just 10 homers in Fenway Park last year, which is a giant reason explaining why he had his lowest total since 2006. It's not difficult to believe nevertheless the 29-year-old can bounce back with 30-plus homers in 2012.
Dustin Pedroia (2nd Base) - After an injury-riddled year in 2010 of just 75 games. Pedroia rebounded back in a big style last year when he set career records in homers, with 21; RBI, with 91; and steals, with 26. He also batted .307 and won his second Gold Glove award. He's just 28 years of age and the 2008 AL MVP still has the potential to be even more outstanding over the next two to three years.
Nick Punto (Shortstop) - Punto has the opportunity to be the permanent starter at SS after Boston dealt Marco Scutaro to the Colorado Rockies. Punto hit .278 in 63 games with St. Louis last year. He doesn't have plenty of power, hitting just 14 homers during the course of his career, but he is a proven leader in the clubhouse and also he is solid on defense.
Kevin Youkilis (3rd Base) - When healthy, Youkilis is one of the best hitters in the game. The vet nevertheless , has not played more than 136 games since 2008. Different injuries have forced him to miss serious time and limited him to just 120 games last season. He ended the season with a career-worst.258 average to go with 17 home runs and 80 RBI. Notwithstanding this, if he is able to play 150 games, he has what is needed to hit .300 with close to 30 home runs and 100 RBI.
Carl Crawford (Left Field) - Crawford was a huge disappointment for Boston in his first year. After hitting .305 with 19 homers, 90 RBI and 47 stolen bases with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010, he hit an abysmal .255 with just 11 homers, 56 RBI and 18 steals with the Red Sox. He also had a horrible .289 OBP. He has to get back on course in 2012, and though he will be missing some time to get over a knee injury, the team is expecting him to have better stats when he returns to the lineup.
Jacoby Ellsbury (Center Field) - Ellsbury stunned a lot of people with the season that he had last season. He hit.321 with 32 home runs, 105 RBI and 39 stolen bases to complete 2nd in the AL MVP voting. What surprised people the most was his power numbers because, before last season, Ellsbury only had 20 home runs and 130 RBI in 349 career games. A drop in homers and RBI should be expected this season, but he can still hit over .300 with some steals.
Cody Ross (Right Field) - The Red Sox are looking forward to see what Ross, a scandalous right-handed pull hitter, can bring to the table with the Green Monster looming in left field. He hit.240 with 14 homers and 52 RBI with the San Francisco Giants last year, and it seems like he'll get the first shot at the opening in right field.
David Ortiz (Elected Hitter) - The 36-year-old Ortiz is obviously well past his prime, but notwithstanding that, he put up some pretty impressive numbers last year, hitting .309 with 29 homers and 96 RBI. The Red Sox hope that he will provide. Similar numbers at the DH position this year.
Projected Hitters
Jarred Saltalamacchia (Catcher) - Saltalamacchia's career high of 16 homers and 56 RBI were all for zilch, as he hit a sub-par .230 last year. His lack of an eye will always obstruct his expansion as a player, but his power production will always be there. If he doesn't improve his terrible average, then he will have a tough time reaching his potential for Boston.
Adrian Gonzalez (First Base) - In his first year with Boston, Gonzalez turned in a pretty fascinating year. Although he hit for a solid .338 average with 117 RBI, his 27 homers were a unhappiness. The All-Star first baseman had just 10 homers in Fenway Park last year, which is a giant reason explaining why he had his lowest total since 2006. It's not difficult to believe nevertheless the 29-year-old can bounce back with 30-plus homers in 2012.
Dustin Pedroia (2nd Base) - After an injury-riddled year in 2010 of just 75 games. Pedroia rebounded back in a big style last year when he set career records in homers, with 21; RBI, with 91; and steals, with 26. He also batted .307 and won his second Gold Glove award. He's just 28 years of age and the 2008 AL MVP still has the potential to be even more outstanding over the next two to three years.
Nick Punto (Shortstop) - Punto has the opportunity to be the permanent starter at SS after Boston dealt Marco Scutaro to the Colorado Rockies. Punto hit .278 in 63 games with St. Louis last year. He doesn't have plenty of power, hitting just 14 homers during the course of his career, but he is a proven leader in the clubhouse and also he is solid on defense.
Kevin Youkilis (3rd Base) - When healthy, Youkilis is one of the best hitters in the game. The vet nevertheless , has not played more than 136 games since 2008. Different injuries have forced him to miss serious time and limited him to just 120 games last season. He ended the season with a career-worst.258 average to go with 17 home runs and 80 RBI. Notwithstanding this, if he is able to play 150 games, he has what is needed to hit .300 with close to 30 home runs and 100 RBI.
Carl Crawford (Left Field) - Crawford was a huge disappointment for Boston in his first year. After hitting .305 with 19 homers, 90 RBI and 47 stolen bases with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010, he hit an abysmal .255 with just 11 homers, 56 RBI and 18 steals with the Red Sox. He also had a horrible .289 OBP. He has to get back on course in 2012, and though he will be missing some time to get over a knee injury, the team is expecting him to have better stats when he returns to the lineup.
Jacoby Ellsbury (Center Field) - Ellsbury stunned a lot of people with the season that he had last season. He hit.321 with 32 home runs, 105 RBI and 39 stolen bases to complete 2nd in the AL MVP voting. What surprised people the most was his power numbers because, before last season, Ellsbury only had 20 home runs and 130 RBI in 349 career games. A drop in homers and RBI should be expected this season, but he can still hit over .300 with some steals.
Cody Ross (Right Field) - The Red Sox are looking forward to see what Ross, a scandalous right-handed pull hitter, can bring to the table with the Green Monster looming in left field. He hit.240 with 14 homers and 52 RBI with the San Francisco Giants last year, and it seems like he'll get the first shot at the opening in right field.
David Ortiz (Elected Hitter) - The 36-year-old Ortiz is obviously well past his prime, but notwithstanding that, he put up some pretty impressive numbers last year, hitting .309 with 29 homers and 96 RBI. The Red Sox hope that he will provide. Similar numbers at the DH position this year.
About the Author:
Take a look at our 5Dimes sportsbook review to grasp why we like this book so much for betting the baseball odds.
No comments:
Post a Comment