AL East Infield Rankings 2018: Baltimore Orioles Battle Red Sox, Jays for Top Spot
By Nate Wardle
1. Boston Red Sox
Infielders: Christian Vasquez (C), Hanley Ramirez (1B), Dustin Pedroia* (2B), Rafael Devers (3B), Xander Bogaerts (SS), Sandy Leon, Blake Swihart, Mitch Moreland, Sam Travis, Eduardo Nunez, Brock Holt, Deven Marrero, Marco Hernandez
When I compared the Orioles to the Red Sox, part of the deciding factor was the bench. Let’s face it. Schoop is a better second baseman at this point, and Pedroia is going to be out until probably the end of May.
Machado and Bogaerts is a fantastic matchup. Ramirez is more consistent than Davis, but the defense isn’t as good. Vasquez is a better catcher than Joseph. Devers is a bit of an unknown, having never played a full season, but so is Beckham.
But, the Red Sox have several players on their bench who help break the tie in Mitch Moreland, Eduardo Nunez and Brock Holt.
One of Nunez and Holt will fill in, and fill-in admirably, as long as Holt is over his health issues from last season.
Pedroia, when healthy last season, was below his lofty standards, but still did a good job.
One of the most significant questions here lives with Devers. In 240 plate appearances, he did an excellent job for a rookie. .284/.338/.482 as a slash line, ten home runs, 14 doubles and 30 runs batted in.
Now, how will he do in his first full season in the majors?
Next: Orioles Top 10 All-Time Leaders in Home Runs
As for Ramirez, he has hit .249, .286, .242 for the Red Sox. He showed up to camp after being on Tom Brady’s diet, and word is his game looks good. But, the AL East isn’t won in spring training, but rather on the field during the regular season.
What are your thoughts? Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comment section!