Ryan Khoury may be small in stature, but he has a big game

Arguably ever since Ryan Khoury first put on a baseball uniform his life in the sport has been about overcoming odds and proving his critics wrong.

Too short. Too slow. Too weak. Too something.

Take your pick but at one time or another Khoury was labeled one — if not all — of the above.

Khoury bolted way ahead of the curve in 2006 when, after he was Boston’s 12th-round draft pick that year, he was promoted from short-season Lowell to Pawtucket on August 3 to plug an infield hole created by the retirement of Enrique Wilson.

He was the first member of his draft class to see playing time at the Triple-A level. And until this year, he had yet to earn another trip to Triple-A.

Moreover, it only was in 2009 that he finally spent a full season in Double-A.

Defensively, versatility is Khoury’s middle name because he can play second, third and short.

He played shortstop for the University of Utah and, as a senior, was voted the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year as well as a First Team All-American.

By the time he wrapped up his collegiate career, he was Utah’s all-time leader in hits with 291 which ranks second in MWC history.

Khoury is rated as an above-average contact hitter with doubles power (he hit 23 two-baggers last season with Portland). But in 109 games with the Sea Dogs, he hit only .223 with a .346 on-base percentage.

He is a scrappy player –- the one fans love to root for because of his all-out hustle and the fact that, even now at age 26, he still looks young enough to be playing in high school. But to boost his stock, at least to the point where he gets a shot at least to play a full season at Pawtucket, the 5-10, 180-pound Khoury must lift his average and draw more walks (he walked 63 times last year for Portland).

Since the Red Sox have a guy named Dustin Pedroia playing second base, Khoury may have to be content with playing a utility role.

“Obviously, Khoury isn’t the biggest kid on the block,” said an American League scout who covers the International and Eastern leagues. “He has to find a way to get on base consistently and do whatever is necessary to maximize his talent.

“He knows what it’s like to beat the odds and, more than likely, that’s the way it’s going to continue unless sometime drastic happens with his development.”