Midseason Red Sox Report Card: Infield

Catcher: A long off-season for Jason Varitek hasn’t seemed to hurt the captain for the first half of 2009. After a poor season at the plate last year, Varitek has been off to a better start this year and is putting up adequate numbers for a 37-year-old catcher. He has also been terrific as always behind the plate, contributing to much of the pitchers’ success. Rookie George Kottares has been good catching Wakefield’s Knuckleball so far and has been valuable behind the plate for the other pitchers. His .213 average isn’t superb, but it isn’t much worse than Tek’s last year. GRADE: B

First Base: Kevin Youkilis has been an All-Star both in the field and at the plate since his conversion from Third to First in 2006. He has also been backed up well by Mark Kotsay and Jeff Bailey at times. The recent acquisition of Adam LaRoche from the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chris Duncan from the St. Louis Cardinals now gives Terry Francona more options with Kotsay if he needs another outfielder. GRADE: A-

Second Base: After winning the AL MVP last year, Dustin Pedroia’s numbers are below what he expected of himself, but still they were worthy of an All-Star nomination this year. His glove has been just as steady as before, but with five errors already (he made 6 in both 2007 and 2008) he hasn’t been quite as strong as in past years. GRADE: B+

Third Base: Mike Lowell’s hip hasn’t fully healed, and it has been reflected on his play this year. Offensively he’s been solid but he hasn’t been able to generate the power of his Marlins and early Red Sox days. Defensively he is still reliable, but his range is gone and he hasn’t been able to play everyday. Youkilis will be the Third Baseman as soon as Lars Anderson is ready for the big leagues, but with the acquisition of LaRoche, the Red Sox have the option of putting him at First and Youk at Third should Lowell be unable to produce. GRADE: B-

Shortstop: Baseball’s version of the lottery, Shortstop at Fenway Park has been a revolving door of players since 2004. The Red Sox have used 10 different players consistently at Shortstop since that time, with Julio Lugo being the only player since Nomar Garciaparra to be in the starting lineup on Opening Day twice. The nightmare that was Lugo is now gone, with the underachieving player being sent to St. Louis for Duncan, and Nick Green is the current starter. Jed Lowrie is back from injury but it appears that he will be used in utility to back up Second Base and occasionally Third with the impressive play that Green has shown. He has been good offensively, and he has greatly improved defensively, equipped with one of the strongest arms in the game. GRADE: B+

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