Roche: What I'll Be Watching For At Red Sox Spring Training
FORT MYERS, Florida (CBS) -- The Red Sox hold their first full squad workout of the Spring Wednesday here in Fort Myers. So let's take a look at a few things I'll be watching for as they take to the field as a team for the very first time in 2016:
1. Picking Up Where They Left Off
We've already gotten an indication from informal workouts, but I want to see Xander Bogaerts, Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Blake Swihart and the other Sox youngsters pick up where 2015 ended. They have all looked good here early on. Bogaerts has been smooth with his swing and watching him and Dustin Pedroia defensively up the middle is special. Betts just needs to stay consistent while I'll be curious to see how Bradley Jr. hits after a streaky 2015. Swihart needs to simply build off the second half of last year.
WATCH: Dan Roche's 1-on-1 with John Farrell
2. The Corner Infielders
It's been the top story so far: What do we make of Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez?
They can say all they want that Sandoval's lack of weight loss (and abundance of weight) isn't a concern, but it has to at least be a disappointment. I think he looks better, both defensively and at the plate, based on what I've seen early on, but you have to be concerned about his body holding up going forward.
As for Hanley, I am wiping his slate clean right now. I just need to see the work ethic, focus, and most importantly, him taking the move to first base seriously. I think he's been worked out slowly at first because the Sox want him feeling good physically after he was banged up last year.
I though David Ortiz using the word "focus" on Tuesday regarding Hanley and Sandoval was very interesting. It needs to be there, and if it isn't it will be time to make way for Travis Shaw. After his impressive second half last season, he's confident and hungry, and is working at third base and in left field to increase his opportunities. Shaw feels like he should be starting, and he might be doing just that sooner rather than later.
Read: Ortiz Says Ramirez, Sandoval Off To "Good Start"
3. The 5th Starter
John Farrell wouldn't name Joe Kelly his fifth starter, and I know the Sox are curious to see how Henry Owens does as he grows. Farrell even touched upon a start Owens made on August 18th last year vs. Seattle where he got hit hard through 5 innings, but went out and shut the Mariners down in the 6th inning to help the bullpen. Kelly was dynamite in the second half and it told him he could rebound from anything. I'm curious to see if he can carry that finish into the spring.
4. Vazquez Post-Tommy John
There's no question that Christian Vazquez can win a lot of games for his team with his catching ability when he's healthy. It will be interesting to see how Vazquez progresses through the spring after missing the last year following Tommy John surgery. Can he play back-to-back games? How's his throwing? It's likely that Blake Swihart and Ryan Hanigan will head north to Boston while Vazquez goes to Pawtucket, but it's a situation that needs to be monitored.
5. The Big Papi Retirement Tour
There will be a documentary crew with David Ortiz all season and he doesn't want any distractions. Ortiz handles the spotlight as well as any superstar I've ever seen. However, what if he or the team struggles the first month or two? Does anyone get sick of the crews constantly filming? Stay tuned.
