6 Red Sox Players To Keep An Eye On During Spring Training
BOSTON (CBS) - Truck Day is here, which is the unofficial signal to Red Sox Nation that spring is almost here (not that rodent groundhog in Punxsutawney, PA).
Pitchers and catchers report soon, and with the 2014 season falling apart faster than the MBTA dealing with snow, Sox fans are eager and hopeful to bounce back in the 2015 season. Here are several key players people should keep an eye on during spring training:
1. Mookie Betts
After winning the World Series in 2013, the 2014 season ended up being a total disaster -- from first to worst. If there was a bright spot to point to, outfielder Mookie Betts would be on the short list. As a 21-year-old, Betts hit .291 with five home runs and seven steals in 52 games played. Considering recent Sox prospects have failed to live up to expectations (Will Middlebrooks and Jackie Bradley Jr. come to mind), it'll be interesting to see if Betts is able to continue his impressive start, or flame out like the others. If it's the former, he could be a big piece going forward.
2. Rusney Castillo
The Red Sox signed Cuban 26-year-old Rusney Castillo to a six-year deal worth $72.5 million in August. Only appearing in 10 games with 40 plate appearances, Castillo hit .333 with two home runs, and six RBI. Although it's encouraging to see Castillo perform well in 10 games last year, the question is what can he do in a full season?
3. Clay Buchholz
When the Red Sox traded Jon Lester to the Oakland Athletics last year, the starting rotation was devoid of a no. 1 pitcher. Clay Buchholz has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career, but his inconsistency on the mound -- even more so than his slick wet hair -- has become his most common trait. Buchholz finished last season with an 8-11 record and a 5.35 ERA. The Red Sox did not go out and get an ace this offseason, but they did add several pitchers including Rick Porcello, Wade Miley and Justin Masterson. At this point, no one knows who will be the lead starter for the Sox rotation. If Buchholz wants to be the leader of the staff, then spring training would be a good time to prove it.
4. Dustin Pedroia
Pedroia's power continues to drop, and entering the 2015 season the second baseman is coming off yet another offseason surgery. The Red Sox badly need Pedroia to get back into form at the plate in order to be competitive in the American League. If Pedroia performs well in spring training, this could be a good sign moving forward into the season.
5. Allen Craig
You may not know it based on his time with the Red Sox last season after being traded here from the Cardinals, but Allen Craig is actually a pretty good player. When healthy, Craig is capable of hitting over .300 and driving in over 90 runs. But hampered with a foot injury in 2014, Craig was a shell of himself, hitting just .215 with eight home runs and 46 RBI in his St. Louis and Boston stints. Going into the 2015 season (hopefully) healed, Craig has a lot to prove since he may not have a spot within the lineup. At 30 years old, Craig still has the potential to return to his old self. Considering the Sox may not have a spot for him this year, spring training is a great chance for Craig to make a play to be part of the lineup, or boost his value for the Sox to trade him if they can't find a spot for him.
6. Joe Kelly
Like Allen Craig, Joe Kelly also missed significant time in 2014. A severe hamstring strain kept him out in the beginning of the year, and when he returned he posted mediocre stats between St. Louis and Boston with a 4.20 ERA, 66 strikeouts, 1.35 whip and a 6-4 record. Kelly said recently that he would win the AL Cy Young Award. Kelly appears to be a shoo-in for one of the starting rotation spots, but his spring training performance could clue us in if his bold prediction was a serious statement, or said in jest. Knowing Kelly, it could definitely be the latter.
