Midseason Red Sox Report Card: Outfield

Left Field: While he isn’t the hitter that Manny Ramirez was, everything else Jason Bay does is an upgrade. He is faster, smarter, a better fielder, and more committed than Manny was (and still is). His offensive production is good on the surface with 20 home runs on the season, but he is hitting just .252. Overall though, he is still providing more than most people expected him to. GRADE: A-

Center Field: Jacoby Ellsbury has had a better season so far than he did in his last two. Ellsbury produced well in the bottom of the order. He has been getting on and stealing bases to set up the top of the order for most of the season. Recently he has been moved back to the top of the order where he should still be able to set the table for the heart of the order, but with Boston’s best hitters up after him, he will probably have fewer opportunities to steal bases. GRADE: B

Right Field: The difference between JD Drew and Julio Lugo is that Drew actually deserves some of the outragous amount of money the Red Sox shelled out in 2007. While he has been plagued by a few injuries and a tough ‘07 season he has been a good contributor in Boston’s lineup. This year has been no exception, with Drew putting up decent numbers in both the middle and top of the Red Sox’ lineup. GRADE: B

Backups: Rocco Baldelli is playing well as Boston’s 4th outfielder, and showing few signs of his muscle disorder which limits his playing time. He has been putting up adequate numbers and has been playing solid defensively. Mark Kotsay has been the only other player to backup the outfielders, but he has been used mainly at First Base. With Adam LaRoche coming over from the Pirates, Kotsay may be used more in the outfield now. Chris Duncan coming over from St. Louis also gives the Sox more depth in the outfield, but he most likely won’t be in Boston until the rosters expand in September. GRADE: C

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