As Spring Training approaches (pitchers and catchers report in mid-February) LeRoy will begin its preseason analysis of the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and the hated New York Yankees. We will continue with the second basemen and start with the Boston Red Sox.
For several years the Red Sox used a multitude of players at second base, ranging from Jose Offerman to Pokey Reese to Mark Bellhorn. There weren't very many top tier second baseman available through free agency or via trades and Boston's only hope of producing a top-tier second baseman was through their farm system. Luckily for them, that eventually happened and their second base situation is pretty clear for the time being.
1. Dustin Pedroia: Pedroia broke into the Major Leagues in 2006 and underperformed in a short stint, but he took center stage in his official rookie season in 2007. He has a career .305 batting average and has had two 20-steal seasons to go along with a Gold Glove Award. He's a three-time All-Star (including last season) and he projects to age well. He had an injury-shortened season last year and Boston is hoping that he stays healthy in 2011. If he does, they should expect a batting average no lower than .285 with around 15 homers, 80 runs batted in and 20 steals.
2. Jed Lowrie: Lowrie, a former first round draft pick and top prospect, will start his fourth season as the team's utility infielder. He did a good job last season, playing all four infield positions and batting .287. Lowrie has yet to live up to his expectations after three stellar years in college (although there's still hope that he may break out) and he may be better suited as a utility player. GM Theo Epstein has stated that Lowrie will split time with SS Marco Scutaro and will likely get most of his playing time there, but he'll be Pedroia's understudy at second as well.
3. Yamaico Navarro: Navarro, who came on the scene in 2009 as a top prospect, made his MLB debut last season and was unimpressive, hitting .143 in 42 at-bats. The hype around Navarro has cooled considerably in the past two seasons but he's still in the mix at second base. Ideally, he needs to spend close to a full season at AAA before he's ready to ascend to the Majors, but if Pedroia or Lowrie spend time on the DL Navarro will be the guy that gets the call.
4. Oscar Tejeda: Tejeda came on the scene as a top shortstop prospect in 2008 but has faded considerably since then. He isn't close to making the Majors and hasn't played above A-ball (where he was converted to second base last season), but the Red Sox still think highly enough of him to have protected him from the Rule V Draft by adding him to the 40-man roster. He probably won't play above AA this season, but a good showing in the Minors could earn him a September call-up in 2011.
5. Nate Spears: Spears is a 26-year-old whose career has topped out at AAA. The Red Sox are his third organization since being drafted in the fifth round by Baltimore in 2003. He came to Boston last season and regressed to AA but had a breakout in the process, hitting 20 homers and adding 82 runs batted in. Now, he's on Boston's radar. It isn't clear where he fits with the club, or even if he'll stick with the organization after Spring Training, but he's a guy who has caught Boston's eye. He'll probably start the year in AAA again, but this might be a bargain basement find for Boston.
The Red Sox seem set at second base with Pedroia but are somewhat concerned over his injury history. They're pretty strong in reserve with Lowrie, who they still hope can break out and into a star, or at least an everyday player. They feel goo about their depth as well, with guys like Navarro, Tejeda, and Spears. Overall, second base should be a strength for Boston.
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