mvp 78

http://www.eagletribune.com/sports/local_sports/why-the-red-sox-believe-sam-travis-power-is-here/article_5253fe02-5d78-528c-877e-4993e7886494.html The 23-year-old corner infielder was one of the final cuts of camp, but don't let Travis' absence on the Opening Day roster fool you. He took a leap forward in Fort Myers. Travis has a slugger's build, but since arriving in Boston's system, he'd never had a year with more than nine home runs. To grow into a mainstay on the big league roster, Travis knew he'd need more power. This spring, he found it. Travis led the Sox in homers (6) and RBIs (17), and there's reason to believe he'll keep hitting that way. The seeds for Travis' emergence were planted months ago, and can be traced back to Alex Cora's emphasis on analytics. After looking over Travis' swing, new hitting coach Tim Hyers got to work quickly. "In the offseason Tim sent me some video comparing me to guys and showing me what I did wrong, how I got away from myself," Travis said. "He was comparing me to some other swings. I was able to see... I just fully bought in." "I've been working on changing the plane in my swing, focusing on the bottom half of the ball and trying to get it in the air," Travis said. "I've always been a guy that's trying to hit the ball a hard and whatever happens happens. Now I'm just trying to hit it hard and in the air." "We’re going to keep Sam Travis," Dombrowski said. "Travis has had a tremendous spring. He looks like the guy that we have thought he would be, that I was told was here. In addition to that, he not only has hit, but he’s hit for power. He’s made some little adjustments with our people, so we really like what we see. “We like him a lot and think he’s a part of our future,” Dombrowski concluded.

If Poyner has a few rough starts, how soon until people are comparing him to Cla Meredith? https://www.fangraphs.com/statsd.aspx?playerid=7613&position=P&type=&gds=&gde=&season=2005

Damn millenials: https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1014385&position=P

They'll be fine. They can keep the band together if they want. Pablo and Hanley will be off the books soon.

I preferred Marrero to Holt, but I don't think it will substantially affect the team. Both guys are replaceable. It's fun to talk about the 25th man on the roster, but those guys don't usually win you a pennant.

I'd rather have Betts than Harper.

Bumgarner has a fractured hand.

Already making excuses.

@EvanDrellich Red Sox pitcher Steven Wright suspended 15 games for domestic violence policy violation, NBC Sports Boston has learned I'm sure Jacko will make a post about this sooner than later.

@EvanDrellich Red Sox minor league catcher Oscar Hernandez, on Triple-A Pawtucket’s roster, suspended 50 games for second violation of drug of abuse. Sox minor league catchers can't stop juicing.

@SoxProspects Sixth home run of #SoxSpring for Travis, who is tied for the MAJOR LEAGUE lead in dingers during spring training. #SoxProspects His ground ball to fly ball ratio is still not that hot tho.

It was extremely original too!

@ByChrisMason Drew Pomeranz faced 9 batters in a controlled minor league game. 3 hits, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K. Threw 48 pitches, 27 strikes. Was feeling good physically afterwards. @ByChrisMason Pomeranz: "That's the first game I've been in in a long time. So that's honestly about the best I could have hoped for. I felt good... I threw 3 today, I'd imagine I'll push toward 4 next time and onward and upwards."

@PeteAbe Brian Johnson through 3 IP: 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K. Ended the third by getting Judge on a double-play ball into a shift. If Johnson can pitch well enough, he has a chance to stick around in the rotation for a while!

Be careful not to choke on your aspirations, Yankee fans.

Oh well.

SoxProspects guys are in camp now. Should be having much more player updates going forward. @SoxProspects Darwinzon Hernandez looks solid in the first. Fastball 92-94 mph, topped at 95 mph. Heavy use. Slider 83-84 mph. Mixed in a mid 80s changeup.

And you think you can do better? Pfffft...

Sorry, that's the lineup I'm going with!

Agreed, this is the lineup I go with: Betts 2b Beni CF Hanley 1b JD RF Xander SS Devers 3B Swihart LF Vazquez C Wright DH

Out until May.

But when multiple injuries happen, I'd rather have Holt on the roster than most other pieces from AAA right now. Chavis isn't even playing in ST yet.

If our depth is so horrible, you gotta stash the guys you can.

If Holt's glove was better, he'd be a no doubt 25 man roster guy. His glove leaves a lot to be desired since there are still question marks about his bat. They already have swiss army knives in Nunez and Swihart.