The offseason acquisitions of David Price and Craig Kimbrel will likely vault the Boston Red Sox back into contention, and there are several storylines to follow throughout Spring Training. Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts established themselves as franchise cornerstones and should further cement their star status this season, while Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez faltered for most of 2015.
This spring, it’s expected that many of the Red Sox’s young prospects will push for playing time and create serious competitions with some of the team’s incumbent veterans. Here are five bold predictions for the Red Sox in Spring Training.
The Number Five Starter Isn’t Announced Until April
Whereas the front end of the Red Sox rotation looks solid with the likes of David Price, Eduardo Rodriguez and Clay Buchholz, the back-end is far from a sure thing. Rick Porcello came on toward the end of last season and will occupy the third or fourth spot in the rotation, but the number five jobs could be up for grabs.
Joe Kelly went on a tear that included a seven-game winning streak at the end of the 2015 season, which makes him the frontrunner for the job – but he still ended the season with a 4.82 ERA and 4.18 FIP. His 95 MPH fastball makes him an intriguing option going forward, and at 27 it’s entirely plausible that he breaks through this season.
But the Sox have several high-potential prospects in Henry Owens and Brian Johnson waiting in the wings, and it’s unlikely that they’ll stay in the minors for long. Owens impressed at times in a brief stint with the big league club last season, but overall showed his inexperience through a 4.57 ERA with 7.14 K/9.
With almost half a season of experience under his belt, Owens can come out strong this spring and win the job. Johnson succumbed to injury last season and could see time with the team later in the season, but the Sox will most likely play it safe and send him down to Triple-A camp sooner rather than later.
It’s likely Joe Kelly pitches just well enough to maintain his job and hold off the fast rising Owens – but it may not be for long.
Dustin Pedroia Looks Rejuvenated
Injuries have plagued the former MVP for several seasons now, but after spending the offseason focused on athleticism rather than strength – star second baseman Dustin Pedroia could be in line for a dominant year.
After only playing in 93 games last season, Pedroia entered the offseason focused on preparing his body to endure the entire 2016 – and while this may lead to a down power year, the Sox have plenty of bats to provide run support. Pedey was playing at an All-Star level when healthy last season, as he hit .291 with a .797 OPS to go along with 12 home runs and an impressive 12 percent strikeout rate.
At 32, it’s likely Pedroia has a few more go-rounds before the wear and tear fully catches up with him. Expect him to take full advantage of Spring Training to show off his defensive chops and hitting prowess.
Christian Vazquez Wins the Backup Catcher Job
After missing the entire 2015 season due to Tommy John surgery, Christian Vazquez shed 20 pounds in preparation for his return in 2016. During his 2014 stint with the Sox, Vazquez only managed an OPS of .617, but his .240 batting average was more than respectable.
Plus, his defensive abilities are where he truly shines – and with a season to watch the big league club, he should be even better behind the plate. Ryan Hanigan is the man to beat for the backup catcher job, but it’s entirely possible that Vazquez gets hot midway through Spring Training and overtakes him.
The team may want to lean on the side of caution with Vazquez because they already have a potentially elite starter in Blake Swihart, but Vazquez can provide a defensive presence that Swihart doesn’t yet possess.
Rusney Castillo Impresses
Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo is perhaps the most intriguing player in MLB, because after 90 total games in the majors, no one knows what to expect from him. In 2015, the 28-year-old struggled to get hot at any point during the season and finished with a .253 batting average and a dismal .288 OBP.
But the Red Sox saw something special when they signed Castillo in 2014, and this could finally be the year he breaks through and proves he’s a viable starter in left field. With Chris Young looming as a fourth outfielder, Castillo needs a strong showing in Spring Training to secure his place as the everyday left fielder.
If he can figure things out against right-handed pitchers (.222 BA against RHP, .318 vs LHP in 2015), Castillo can become a legitimate force at the bottom of the Sox lineup. It’s easy to see Castillo making those strides throughout this month.
Yoan Moncada Dominates Minor League Camp
The 20-year-old phenom Yoan Moncada may not have received an invite to major league camp, but that doesn’t mean he’s not gunning for a chance in Boston this season. After being named the Red Sox minor league player of the year, Moncada appears to be on a fast track to stardom in the Sox organization.
Despite struggling to start his career with the Sox’s Single-A affiliate, Moncada came on after some time and finished the season with a .278 average, an impressive .870 OPS and 49 (!) stolen bases in just 81 games.
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Moncada is years ahead of where most 20-year-olds are at the plate, and he should have no problem proving he’s fully worth the money the organization invested in him last year.