Roche: Questions For Red Sox Lineup Ahead Of Spring Training
FORT MYERS, Fla. (CBS) -- It's time for part two of a look at the potential 25-man Red Sox roster as we begin spring training. You can read part one here. Now, here's a look at the positional players and a question that goes with each.
Catcher
1. Blake Swihart - Can he continue to progress and take over the starting role in 2016? Swihart was thrown into the fire after Christian Vazquez and Ryan Hanigan were hurt. Swihart appeared in 84 games and was better in the second half. He had a great month of August as he hit .373 with a .439 OBP and a .492 SLG. His defense seemed to improve as he got more comfortable. The question mark on Swihart is can he develop a good rapport with the pitching staff.
2. Ryan Hanigan - Can he stay healthy and guide Swihart and the pitching staff? He missed two months due to injury last season and was missed. He brings a strong knowledge of the game, can hit a bit, and is better than given credit for defensively behind the plate. Sixty or so games from him would be huge. I don't expect Vazquez to make the team out of camp for precautionary reasons after having Tommy John surgery last year. I would love to see Vazquez healthy and emerging as the game-changing defender we've seen in the past.
First Base
3. Hanley Ramirez - Can he adapt to first base and be an everyday strength in the Sox lineup? Huge question. I didn't think Ramirez would return to Boston after a shaky first year, but he's back and trying another position. I think you have to give him a chance to see how it shakes out. My key will be simple: is he willing to put in the work with Brian Butterfield? If he does ... there's a chance because the bat is still dangerous.
4. Travis Shaw - Can he replicate the success he had in 2015 on the big league level? Shaw will be the man to get first crack at either third or first base should Hanley or Pablo falter. He should be fine defensively while it will be interesting to watch to see if he can duplicate his .270, 13 HR, .813 OPS type of numbers he put up in 65 games last year. If he steps in and plays well early ... he may be tough to sit.
Second Base
5. Dustin Pedroia - Can he stay healthy and be the example-setter on and off the field? There's no question the Red Sox can go to greater heights when Pedroia is in the lineup. He plays the game right -- and harder than anyone I've ever seen. His attitude is refreshing. The four-time All-Star, MVP, ROY, and four-time Gold Glover simply has to stay healthy enough to remain on the field. If he does and the team is winning, it's a match made in heaven.
Shortstop
6. Xander Bogaerts - Can he do it again? Bogaerts had a remarkably consistent and productive 2015. It was a pleasure to watch from start to finish (156 games, .320, 7 HR, 81 RBI, .355 OBP, .421 SLG and should have won GG). He needs to simply be that guy again. I rolled my eyes when I heard talk of him improving his power. To me, that will come, but not by trying to do it. He used all fields effectively last season and if he changes that approach, he could get himself messed up.
Third Base
7. Pablo Sandoval - I will give him a pass for his miserable 2015. Dave Dombrowski told him he needs to lose weight. If he does that, then that will be half the battle. Sandoval won three World Series in San Francisco and was a huge part of them. He's a proven player. Hopefully he learned a lesson in 2015. He got rewarded for all his good with a huge contract and he let off the gas pedal. He needs to have a sense of urgency from day one. If he does, he'll bounce back.
Utility
8. Brock Holt - Can he hold up and only have to play around 100-120 games? It was great to see him rewarded last season by being named an All-Star. He can play - and play well - anywhere. He just seemed to wear down. He hit .292/.379/.412 in the first half and .265/.311/.341 in the second half. He's a valuable utility man, but you hope to be only use him 3-5 times per week.
Outfield
9. Rusney Castillo - Can he stay on the field and produce? Castillo certainly has the tools as we've seen time and time again. Now he needs to be more consistent. Has had good numbers vs LHP and at Fenway. Now he needs to make adjustments, learn the Fenway wall, and take the job as the everyday left fielder.
10. Jackie Bradley Jr. - Who is he? If he can be somewhere between the guy that really, really struggled at times and the guy that hit .355 with a 1.163 OPS in 26 August games last year then the Sox will take it. His defense -- as Dave Dombrowski has said -- is game-changing. Boston would love to put him in center field and keep him there all season.
11. Mookie Betts - Can he continue to build off his success? He has been remarkably consistent in his first two big league seasons (52 games in '14, 145 in '15), hitting .291 with an OPS around .815. He plays solid defense and has all the tools to be great. He needs to stay the course. It will also be interesting to see how the likes of Betts, Bogaerts, Shaw, etc, all play under pressure.
12. Chris Young - Can he do what he does best -- hit lefthanded pitching? Last season with the Yankees, Young hit .327 with a .972 OPS vs left-handed pitching. That should help Boston.
Designated Hitter
13. David Ortiz -Can he do it one final time at age 40? He's done it all in his Red Sox career, one that is worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. Will the final season be more of the same? A big challenge for Ortiz ... can he put up 30 homers and 100 RBIs again? He's always responded in the past.