With a 40-man roster that’s already garnering wide praise
for its projected
ability to win games in 2016, the Boston Red Sox are sitting pretty heading
into the upcoming spring training. That being said, even though they roll deep there’s
never a way to know how they might be impacted by injury or ineffectiveness.
Non-roster invitees typically generate little fanfare, but in some cases can
end up becoming major contributors. The Red Sox are no exception, and have some
players worth watching on their own list this year.
Allen Craig, Outfielder/First Baseman: It’s unclear what is more surprising;
that Craig is entering his third season with Boston, or that he has fallen so
far since his days as an All Star with the St. Louis Cardinals (as recently as
2013).
A .291 hitter in parts of five seasons with the Cardinals,
since joining the Red Sox via a trade mid-season in 2014, Craig has spent most
of the past two years in the minors. When he has played for Boston, he has been
strikingly bad—to the tune of a .139 batting average, two home runs and five
RBIs in 65 games.
Presumably healthy and still just 31, it’s a complete
mystery as to how the right-handed hitter, who batted .315 with 97 RBIs in 2013
for a team that reached the World Series (and lost) to the Red Sox could seen
his production go off a cliff at such a precipitous angle. That unknown (and
the $21 million he is still owed through 2017) have kept him on the periphery
of Boston’s roster plans. There may not be a clear role for him now but having
a veteran hitter of his pedigree is a nice luxury. If he shows any sign of life
this spring, he could end up with the opportunity to make a significant impact
at the big league level before the season is over.
Josh Rutledge, Infielder: At this point in his career, Rutledge likely is who he
is- a guy who can be a valuable backup infielder due to his ability to play multiple
positions and because he won’t embarrass himself at the plate. The Red Sox saw
this first hand last season after he came over from the Los Angeles Angels in
the Shane
Victorino trade. Appearing in 39 games with Boston (85 plate appearances),
he hit .284 with a homer and 10 RBIs.
With guys like Brock Holt
and Deven
Marrero above him on the depth chart for the role of utility infielder,
some things would need to happen to carve out a spot on the big league roster
for Rutledge. However, the 26 year-old is still under team control and could
bide his time in Triple-A Pawtucket if he does impress the club during spring
training.
Kyle Martin, Pitcher: A ninth-round draft pick of the Red Sox in 2013, the big
right-hander (6’7” and 220 pounds) has made quick work of the minor leagues
during his three professional seasons. In 84 games, all coming out of the
bullpen, he has produced a 3.43 ERA and struck out 164 batters in 162.2
innings, while yielding 149 hits and just 42 walks.
Possessing
a fastball that sits in the low 90s and a good changeup, Martin is primed to be
a big league contributor out of the pen. Although it would be a surprise for
him to break camp with the team, spring training is an excellent opportunity
for him to leave some lasting impressions and be on the short list in the event
relievers are needed during the season.
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