Safe to say that Mookie Betts has arrived!

[Dojji]

1Tools were on display last night and no mistake. Amazing play to take the HR away, then great speed to steal second followeed up by good alert baserunning to grab third by ambush, and it might just be me but IIRC not too many righthanded hitters clean up that inside fastball the way he did, that usually seems to be a very high percentage pitch nd he just lost it in the stands and made it look real easy, so his hitting hands and bat speed seem top notch too.

 

May just be beginner's luck of course, we'll need to see how he handles his first serious slump before it's time to get really excited, but I think this is just one of those situations where Sox brass struck pure gold. This kid is for real and I'm glad he'll be around awhile.

Edited April 14, 2015 by Dojji

[sk7326]

1Tools were on display last night and no mistake. Amazing play to take the HR away, then great speed to steal second followeed up by good alert baserunning to grab third by ambush, and it might just be me but IIRC not too many righthanded hitters clean up that inside fastball the way he did, that usually seems to be a very high percentage pitch nd he just lost it in the stands and made it look real easy, so his hitting hands and bat speed seem top notch too.

 

May just be beginner's luck of course, we'll need to see how he handles his first serious slump before it's time to get really excited, but I think this is just one of those situations where Sox brass struck pure gold. This kid is for real and I'm glad he'll be around awhile.

 

Obviously 247 big league PAs are not a large sample - but he has beat every developmental milestone they have put in front of him. I will temper yesterday with noting a .533 OPS to date (tee hee). But no reason to not be very excited. Guys like him and Bogaerts are guys the team puts in and figures where everybody ELSE will play after that.

[mvp 78]

So has he arrived or should we temper our excitement like you suggest?

[SoxnCycles]

So has he arrived or should we temper our excitement like you suggest?

 

Yes.

[gojohn99]

Time will tell, go Mookie.

 

Hey I just noticed that Bogaerts is 4th in the AL with a .433 BA so far.

[GomesBeard]

Pretty happy with most aspects of the Sox start. Obviously, disappointed in Buchholz start against the Yankees, and hope that the first start was not just because the Phillies really suck. I wish he could learn how to battle a bit, and bear down when facing adversity. Instead, he just caves. But the offense has been good, and not everyone has heated up yet. Just keep taking series wins.

[InfernoOrangeSS]

I will reserve my opinion of Betts. Looks good so far, and I am glad they did not trade him. (Never wanted him as a part of any trade.) Just feel a wait and see attitude needs to be in effect.

[Kimmi]

Pretty happy with most aspects of the Sox start. Obviously, disappointed in Buchholz start against the Yankees, and hope that the first start was not just because the Phillies really suck. I wish he could learn how to battle a bit, and bear down when facing adversity. Instead, he just caves. But the offense has been good, and not everyone has heated up yet. Just keep taking series wins.

 

 

I agree. Outside of Buchholz's 2nd start, things have gone pretty well. The starting pitching which was everyone's main concern has been solid, again, besides that one start. It's early, but so far, so good. As you said, keep winning series.

[Northern Star]

Too soon to get his jersey? I don't want to rush into it, I've been burned before.

[Northern Star]

I agree. Outside of Buchholz's 2nd start, things have gone pretty well. The starting pitching which was everyone's main concern has been solid, again, besides that one start. It's early, but so far, so good. As you said, keep winning series.

 

"So, besides that, how did you like the play, Mrs Lincoln?"

[Kimmi]

Too soon to get his jersey? I don't want to rush into it, I've been burned before.

 

 

Time to buy the jersey!

[Northern Star]

Jackie who?

[cp176]

Jackie who?

 

"our American Cousin" by the way Mr. Stanton (God of War)

[sk7326]

Jackie who?

 

He'll be somebody's CF - just not ours

[cp176]

He'll be somebody's CF - just not ours

 

Maybe, maybe not on this one. i don't think that they are in a hurry to unload him just yet.

[sk7326]

Maybe, maybe not on this one. i don't think that they are in a hurry to unload him just yet.

 

I don't think there is an urgent rush - but I think the industry realizes how little he has to provide offensively to be an above average starter. I think a team will offer a reasonable deal at some point (to me reasonable = at least a toolsy lottery ticket or two)

[GomesBeard]

I would keep JBJ around with Victorino gone after this year.

[vjcsmoke]

Betts is definitely THE MAN. My vote for Red Sox rookie of the year. He blasted two home runs to lead us over the Rays in a game where Smyly was essentially throwing a no hitter until he ran into the Betts Pain Train. :-)

I am so glad that we kept Betts out of trade discussions, he looks like he will be a great Red Sox player for a long time. Question -- What are we going to do with Rusney Castillo??

[sk7326]

Betts is definitely THE MAN. My vote for Red Sox rookie of the year. He blasted two home runs to lead us over the Rays in a game where Smyly was essentially throwing a no hitter until he ran into the Betts Pain Train. :-)

I am so glad that we kept Betts out of trade discussions, he looks like he will be a great Red Sox player for a long time. Question -- What are we going to do with Rusney Castillo??

 

Victorino won't be here long either way ... and Castillo's deal is very tradeable IF there is a reason to do so

[cp176]

Castillo has started to play. A couple of hits last night. If he stays healthy, he will be on his way. I also think that JBJ deserves and will get another chance. After this year, things will work themselves out probably. I can see Ramirez with a first baseman's glove or dhing. Not sure he will continue flopping around out there in left.

[dupree]

I agree that HRam will probably be a 1st baseman in the future as soon as maybe next year. Napoli has yet to hit with consistency and his contract being up I'd say they move on from him. But my thinking is Pablo would be the better fit at 1st base next year and leave HRam in LF I think once he gets a year under his belt in front of the green monster then he will be just fine. I know he is a defensive liability right now but he will get better, hell Manny Ramirez and Johnny Gomes did. If he can hang on and hold the position for one or two more seasons until Ortiz retires and let's him be the everyday DH I think we are golden.

[cp176]

I agree that HRam will probably be a 1st baseman in the future as soon as maybe next year. Napoli has yet to hit with consistency and his contract being up I'd say they move on from him. But my thinking is Pablo would be the better fit at 1st base next year and leave HRam in LF I think once he gets a year under his belt in front of the green monster then he will be just fine. I know he is a defensive liability right now but he will get better, hell Manny Ramirez and Johnny Gomes did. If he can hang on and hold the position for one or two more seasons until Ortiz retires and let's him be the everyday DH I think we are golden.

 

I don't disagree with you here. I just think that the Red Sox tend to be a little overly cautious with respect to bringing up their younger players. No one wants to rush people up for fear of career killing, I just think that sometimes tough decisions have to be made and something different needs to be tried. i am ready to see Bradley moved back up. This may come at the expense of Craig and everybody's favorite Nava. I think the starting pitching staff needs a shakeup soon as well. Outside of Porcello, I would at least like to see if the guys pitching in Pawtucket are ready or not. I rate them this way based on how they are pitching right now- Rodriguez - Wright - Owens - Johnson - Barnes . Sometimes a veteran just has to step aside. I have not been a big fan or Wrights but he has pitched very well of late. Rodriguez has a true power arm.