If there’s one thing to take away from this disastrous 2014 Red Sox season, it’s not the fact that Clay Buchholz is still incredibly inconsistent. It’s not that age is not slowing down David Ortiz. It’s that Brock Holt is having a breakout season, and has become the ultimate utility man while still managing to hit over .300 for most of the season.
Well, that’s my takeaway at least.
But regardless, this season is winding down fast, and the Red Sox will be entering an offseason which will surely be full of change. But with all of those changes, there’s a pretty good chance that the 26-year-old will still be with Boston come 2015. But where, exactly, will you be seeing Brock play in the field?
According to John Farrell (via Jason Mastrodonato of MassLive.com) the .291-hitting 2B/SS/3B/CF/RF/LF/1B will find playing time, but exactly where has yet to be determined:
“So much of Brock’s role is going to depend on our roster,” manager John Farrell said Tuesday. “But I will say this: If he’s in a versatile role, he’s still going to get a lot of playing time, as he’s done throughout this year.”
For the most part, that’s a valid response. Given the new faces brought into the organization just in the past month (Craig, Cespedes, Castillo) and the young talent ready for a chance to shine (Betts, Cecchini) it’s almost impossible to determine where each player will be playing come 2015.
Nonetheless, we sure can make some predictions. Based off what we’ve seen so far in 2014, Yoenis Cespedes will be the Red Sox’ starting left-fielder come next season. His incredible arm has worked out well in left, and Boston would be simply stupid to move him to any other position. Moving across the outfield, the Sox have three solid options at center-field: defensive stud Jackie Bradley Jr., Cuban sensation Rusney Castillo, and young second-baseman turned outfielder Mookie Betts. Regardless of who wins that position between those three, it most likely wont be Brock. The final outfield spot, right, is a battle between 2013 All-Star Allen Craig and 2013 playoff hero Shane Victorino. Of all the outfield areas, this is arguably the one that Holt has the best chance of winning, given both Craig’s and Victorino’s injury history, especially this season. But, on the off chance that both can stay healthy, Holt is out of a starting job in right, and in the outfield as a whole.
Second-base is easily out of the question, given the fact that Boston has some Pedroia guy playing there. In all reality, his best chances of a starting job is third-base or shortstop (whichever one Xander Bogaerts WONT be playing). While the struggling Will Middlebrooks and top prospect Garin Cecchini will both be battling it out in Spring Training, Holt might have a chance to step in and sweep the job away if he can get off to a hot start.
The final verdict? Brock won’t be starting at any position come 2015. But i can more than guarantee you that he plays in 80% of games (assuming he can play at an adequate level). What helps Brock is that he can play literally every freakin position on the field, save cacther and pitcher. be it injuries, poor play, or anything else, Brock will find his way into the lineup.
Holtamania won’t be ending that easily, no matter how many players you bring in.