Position Changes Needed

[seabeachfred]

Slightly more than two weeks in his career.

 

Can you even read down where you live? No one CALLED Bogey a choker----it was a question...COULD HE BE A CHOKER?????? Big difference.

[Palodios]

I understand that it is a small sample size, but over 100 plate appearances, Bogaerts has crushed lefties (.924 OPS) and been beaten by righties (.554 OPS).

 

Was this a trend he saw in the minor leagues? He definitely needs to make an adjustment here.

[seabeachfred]

We need to start hitting, show some fire and start winning some games. That would take care of things and settle us worriers down. Right now I am concerned and I'll bet others feel the same way. Off to 24 Hour Fitness to work off some of this aggressiveness. Like almost all Red Sox fans I live and die with the team.

[mvp 78]

Can you even read down where you live? No one CALLED Bogey a choker----it was a question...COULD HE BE A CHOKER?????? Big difference.

 

Wow.

[sk7326]

I understand that it is a small sample size, but over 100 plate appearances, Bogaerts has crushed lefties (.924 OPS) and been beaten by righties (.554 OPS).

 

Was this a trend he saw in the minor leagues? He definitely needs to make an adjustment here.

 

True - although one constant in his career so far has been the ability to adapt to these levels where he is young. I am excited to see him figure this out.

[mvp 78]

Back pre-2004, when the Sox would roar past the Yanks early on, Yankees fans would always say "wait until June."

 

I don't see why it should be different in 2014.

[User Name]

They are struggling because of some injuries and because it's a 14 game sample. Schedule will get easier - and guys may or may not return. The latter is the key. All of the other hooey is just stuff to give fans something to talk about. The Sox had tons of guys hurt by the end of 2011 and all of 2012. They were very lucky last year on that front. So far, not so much.

 

You're trying to exercise logic with someone who doesn't understand what the concept is. "Older means wiser" need not apply with that specimen.

[mvp 78]

You're trying to exercise logic with someone who doesn't understand what the concept is. "Older means wiser" need not apply with that specimen.

 

The difference between fine wine and skunked beer.

[User Name]

Back pre-2004, when the Sox would roar past the Yanks early on, Yankees fans would always say "wait until June."

 

I don't see why it should be different in 2014.

 

Because some people are trying to prove their "Red Sox fandom" by being insufferable douches.

[rjortiz]

The thing that worries me about XB is that his defense hasn't impressed the least bit.

I can understand slumping at the plate and give him time with the bat but the defense should be there.

A lot of bounced throws to first base ( not just lastnight ).He also should have 4 errors but the scoring was generous on him on a few plays. He looks shaky fielding. Defensive statistics shows it too.

 

I didn't see it, but I read that Carp couldn't dig out the low throw from Bogaerts. Would Napoli make that play?

 

Bogaerts is a minus defender at SS and expected to be a 3b long term

 

Depends what scout you talk to, and what minus means.

[User Name]

I didn't see it, but I read that Carp couldn't dig out the low throw from Bogaerts. Would Napoli make that play?

 

 

 

Depends what scout you talk to, and what minus means.

 

I challenge Jacko to find me a scouting report that project Bogaert's defense and arm tools at less than a 40, which is MLB average. He's making it up.

[rjortiz]

I think people are forgetting that Bogaerts is still only 20. Most 20 years olds are in A ball, or playing in the SEC. If he has a .750 OPS at the end of the year, I'll be thrilled with that.

[Spudboy]

Holy crap Fred. By all means avoid sharp objects.

 

I'm not going to hit the panic button. I've been watching this team for 48 years and have seen slow starts too many times to think that the season is lost at this point.

 

I just read an article on BDC that pointed out that between May 3 and May 14, 2013, the Sox went 2-9.

 

Slumps are part of the game. This team has a bunch of talent. I see no reason why they won't start playing .600+ ball at sometimes this spring.

[sk7326]

Bogaerts is a minus defender at SS and expected to be a 3b long term

 

Someone has been looking up the 2011 scouting reports. The leap he made to uber-prospect was related to his ability to play SS in the medium term at least. Yeah the ceiling is more of average to above average than plus - basically a Troy Tulowitzki level (which would be an MVP candidate btw). Nothing that has gone wrong with him can't be fixed by just him getting reps. That he's putting in a .377 OBP while ironing stuff out is extremely encouraging.

[a700hitter]

********!!!!!!! Wake the hell up!!!! This is exactly what happened in 2009 and 2011 and to somewhat lesser extent in 2010 and 2012. We did the same thing then and we got off to s***** starts. Look it up and get your head out of the sand. If you don't want to hear me whine then don't read my posts, and keep in mind if you've been reading the game thread there are plenty of people here who are as pissed off as I am. I don't know what they have in the water where you live but to think that all is right with the team only tells me you haven't a f***ing clue about what's going on. To be precise.....we had a lousy ST. We are having a lousy start. We had a lousy ST in those aforementioned years and got off to other bad starts. Your brain can't be that scrambled that you can't see the relationship unless you're more f***ing retarded than previously thought to be.

Your theory is as plausible as any other. You don't need proof as some demand. It is a theory. There is no disputing that we are playing lke crap. These guys are talented ballplayers, so there has to be an explanation for the bad team play. Usually everyone doesn't hit or slump at the same time.

[redsoxrules]

I didn't see it, but I read that Carp couldn't dig out the low throw from Bogaerts. Would Napoli make that play?

 

Depends what scout you talk to, and what minus means.

 

It was poor throw by XB. Your first baseman shouldn't have to bail you out most of the time.

[User Name]

So what you're saying is that two weeks worth of games and a couple of poor throws are enough to pigeonhole XB's defensive potential?

[mvp 78]

It was poor throw by XB. Your first baseman shouldn't have to bail you out most of the time.

 

Is the 1b bailing him out on the majority of his throws? Haven't noticed it too bad. Isn't this slso correctible for a young player? I heard he's putting in a ton of work at SS.

[redsoxrules]

So what you're saying is that two weeks worth of games and a couple of poor throws are enough to pigeonhole XB's defensive potential?

 

Not just poor throws, overall defense hasn't been great period.

[redsoxrules]

Is the 1b bailing him out on the majority of his throws? Haven't noticed it too bad. Isn't this slso correctible for a young player? I heard he's putting in a ton of work at SS.

 

He's had quite a few throws bounced into first base. Not on rush throws either.

[User Name]

Not just poor throws, overall defense hasn't been great period.

 

It's April 16th. You can't evaluate anything in two weeks.

[redsoxrules]

It's April 16th. You can't evaluate anything in two weeks.

 

Defense is his weekness. Even in the minors.

He would be best suited for 3B

[User Name]

Defense is his weekness. Even in the minors.

He would be best suited for 3B

 

The reason he shot to top-prospect status is because his D at SS improved enough in the minors for him to be safely projected as an at least average defensive SS in the Majors for the long term. You are contradicting every scouting report and analysis piece on Bogaerts because you've seen him underthrow a couple times in cold weather and have convinced yourself D is his "weakness". That makes no sense.

[Spudboy]

I think it's quite obvious that XB is not Eglasias or even Drew (sp) at this point. But who is?

 

I've seen most of his throws to first base. Many of them are high and or off mark. He seems to have a strong arm. My GUESS is that he needs more work on his footwork.

 

He reminds me very much of a young Jetter.

 

I don't understand why anyone here expects this kid to be all-world at this point.

 

I say give him time to refine his skills. The people who are paid to evaluate baseball talent seem to be in consensus that he will be a very good SS. That is good enough for me at this point.

[jacksonianmarch]

So what you're saying is that two weeks worth of games and a couple of poor throws are enough to pigeonhole XB's defensive potential?

 

I could care less about the first two weeks. I'm going off the SRs out of the minors over the last few yrs. average or worse defender expected to outgrow the position anyway

[User Name]

I could care less about the first two weeks. I'm going off the SRs out of the minors over the last few yrs. average or worse defender expected to outgrow the position anyway

 

What are your sources? Everything i've read sides a hell of a lot more with average to slightly above average. I will concede though, that most publications do expect him to outgrow the position.

 

Do notice that there's a significant difference between an "average" and "poor" defender in both the 20-80 scale and statistical analysis/

[a700hitter]

I think Bogaerts can handle the position. I think it may be too much to expect from him the kind of offensive production that we need in the top of the order. He can provide very nice offensive production from the bottom of the order. We need to get Pedroia, Victorino and Sizemore at the top of the lineup on a regular basis.

[mvp 78]

Defensively, he's no worse than Nomar (dwar). Nomar's defensive deficiencies were never a big deal around here. We just made excuses for him (bad infield). His bat at SS plus replacement level defense is find by me.

[Station 13]

The Red Sox need to just ride this out in the next 2 weeks. If they can get back to .500, they'd done alright. Get the regulars back in May and play better.

 

One thing they must do right now is to catch the damn ball. Bad defense cost them a few games already.

Edited April 16, 2014 by Station 13

[Orange Juiced]

Not just poor throws, overall defense hasn't been great period.

 

No way do I want XB off SS right now. I want him growing into the position. He's a long term stud. I'm ok with some early season growing pains.