Good thing the Red Sox didn’t trade Xander Bogaerts for Cliff Lee at the trade deadline, huh?
It would’ve been easy for a less disciplined front office to pull the trigger on that deal. Though Bogaerts was widely heralded as one of the top prospects in baseball this season, the opportunity to acquire a pitcher the caliber of Lee doesn’t come around often. He’s pitched over 200 innings in six consecutive seasons, and hasn’t had an ERA higher than 3.22 in that stretch. Lee works quickly, too, as it took him a tidy two hours and 30 minutes to beat the Red Sox on May 28.
But the Red Sox held off on the trade, recognizing Bogaerts’ value not only for the future but for the present. After a spectacular season in the minor leagues, in which Bogaerts posted an .865 OPS between Double-A and Triple-A, the Red Sox called him up for their west coast road trip at the end of August. The team was in the midst of a 3-7 stretch, and felt Bogaerts would give them a spark.
Even though Bogaerts played infrequently in the final six weeks of the regular season (50 plate appearances in 18 games), the Red Sox believed the experience of being up in the big leagues would be worth more for his development than more at-bats against inferior minor league pitching.
They were right. From day one, Bogaerts has had a knack for the big moment. His first career hit came at Dodger Stadium.
His first career home run was at Yankee Stadium.
Bogaerts made his postseason debut in Game 4 of the ALDS against the Rays, pinch-hitting for Stephen Drew against lefty Jake McGee in the seventh inning. He drew a walk to lead off the frame, and scored later in the inning. Bogaerts saw 12 pitches, and drew two walks in Game 4. After the game, manager John Farrell said Bogaerts had ‘ice in his veins.’
It took until Game 5 of the ALCS for Bogaerts to become the youngest player in Red Sox history to receive a postseason start (move over, Babe), and he made the most of his opportunity. He doubled in the second inning, and eventually scored on Jacoby Ellsbury’s infield single. (Granted, he should’ve scored from second base on David Ross’ double, but it wound up being a moot point.)
With Will Middlebrooks’ playoff struggles (4-23), it is fair to expect Bogaerts to stay in the starting lineup for the remainder of the ALCS. Stephen Drew is a candidate to be benched, too, but the Red Sox seem to value his defense at shortstop.
One of the big advantages the Red Sox have over the Tigers is their depth, and Bogaerts is a large part of that. It was easy to recognize his value for the future. But not so easy to recognize his value for the present.
After just three career playoff games, though, Bogaerts has already been a significant part of this championship run. And, for what it’s worth, he’s already surpassed Sidney Ponson for the honor of best Arubian-born major leaguer.
Photo via Matt Stone/Boston Herald
