News
Around the Horn: Middle infielders
Scutaro may have staying power alongside Pedroia
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
02/03/10 1:09 PM EST
With pitchers and catchers reporting in two weeks, anticipation is building for the 2010 season. MLB.com is going around the horn to break down each area of the Red Sox, continuing Wednesday with middle infield.BOSTON -- Dustin Pedroia and Julio Lugo. Dustin Pedroia and Jed Lowrie. Dustin Pedroia and Nick Green. Dustin Pedroia and Alex Gonzalez. Yes, a trend has developed during Pedroia's time with the Sox, as he has been the steady anchor to an otherwise transient middle infield.
So what would 2010 be without Pedroia adjusting to yet another new partner around the bag? The latest Boston shortstop -- Marco Scutaro -- is one who could bring some stability to the position for the next couple of years, serving as the bridge until top prospect Jose Iglesias is ready to claim residence at Fenway.
In Pedroia and Scutaro, the Red Sox will have no lack of grit in the middle of the diamond. Both players have gotten to where they are largely because they have refused to be outworked at any step.
While that mentality paid off immediately for Pedroia, who won the American League Rookie of the Year Award, a World Series, a Gold Glove and an AL Most Valuable Player Award over his first two seasons, it has been a slower process for Scutaro.
But the right-handed hitter finally broke through in 2009, hitting .282, scoring 100 runs, belting 35 doubles and producing a .379 on-base percentage as the leadoff hitter for the Blue Jays.
When Boston decided not to exercise its club option for Gonzalez, Scutaro immediately became the primary target of general manager Theo Epstein.
"Marco is a player that's easy to admire," Epstein said at Scutaro's introductory news conference in December. "He plays the game the right way. He's a hard worker. He's a great teammate. He's a very well-rounded player. He's somebody who didn't get an opportunity to play every day until later in his career and absolutely made the most of the opportunity and demonstrated that he should have been an everyday player for a much longer period of time.
"I know he's beyond the age when you normally say this about a player, but we feel like he really is coming into his own and is a difference-maker out there. He'll fit in perfectly into our lineup and into our clubhouse and into the shortstop position here, so we're really happy about it."
Defensively, Scutaro is steady but not spectacular. His offense came together in 2009 because of more playing time and improved mechanics.
"I just kind of spread out my legs a little bit, so that way you see the ball a little longer, you see it better," Scutaro said. "I just focused on being consistent. I think that's the toughest part of hitting, too -- being consistent day in and day out. Your swing is sometimes not there. You're tired or whatever, and your swing is not there. Try to make the adjustment and be consistent. Don't try to throw at-bats away."
| "I know he's beyond the age when you normally say this about a player, but we feel like [Marco Scutaro] really is coming into his own and is a difference-maker out there." |
| -- General manager Theo Epstein |
Though Pedroia didn't bring any trophies home with him for the first time in his career, his third full season was still a fairly solid one. The second baseman hit .296 with 115 runs, 48 doubles, 15 homers, 72 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.
Perhaps Pedroia's defense is somewhat overshadowed by his offense. That said, he is one of the best defenders in the game at his position. Manager Terry Francona often says how Pedroia seems to will himself to make great plays when the game is on the line. Pedroia has everything it takes to be an upper-echelon second baseman, including range, good hands and the ability to turn the double play.
For backup, Pedroia and Scutaro will be supported by Jed Lowrie and Bill Hall.
At this time a year ago, Lowrie seemed to be moving into the role as the starting shortstop. But lingering left wrist woes and subsequent surgery changed those plans. For this season, Lowrie's main objective is to get healthy and stay healthy, and prove what kind of player he can be.
"I hope that last year was the hardest year of my career, because it was very trying," Lowrie said earlier this winter. "In perspective, [other] people have it a lot worse. I don't want pity for my situation. It was a hard year for me. For Spring Training, I'm excited to see what comes of 2010 and to allow myself to give myself the opportunity to prepare for that -- get back into shape and get my wrist ready to play. I'm looking forward to Spring Training and actually playing baseball."
If Lowrie can stay on the field, he has the ability to help Francona at second, short and third.
Hall can play all of those positions as well, though he hasn't been at shortstop since 2006. The right-handed-hitting veteran, acquired for Casey Kotchman, can also play the outfield, and if he can rediscover his swing, he gives the Red Sox a power threat off the bench.
Last year was the worst of Hall's career, as he hit .201 with eight homers and 36 RBIs. Though it is a stretch to think he will duplicate the 35 homers he hit in 2006, the Red Sox hope he can be a useful option off the bench.
"Let's get to Spring Training and let him work with [hitting coach] Dave Magadan, who's a fan of Billy Hall, and see what they can do together," said Epstein. "I know Billy's working hard, looking for answers himself. He's at API this winter for the first time in his career. He's going to show up in great shape ... he's looking for answers himself. He wants to get his career back on track, and we think he will.
"He's pretty darn good moving all over the field. He has natural defensive ability, athleticism, good hands and a strong arm. If we can get the bat back on track, and get him enough playing time to get the bat back on track, which I think is important, then I think we're looking at a pretty valuable player."
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
