By Hannah Eastwood
From 2011 to 2014, Mookie Betts played for all seven teams in the Red Sox farm system. Betts was drafted by the club in the 5th round of the 2011 amateur draft. That same year, Betts began playing for the GCL Red Sox, a rookie level team. Just three years later, Betts found himself a member of the Boston Red Sox at the major league level. In 2014 alone, Betts played for three different teams: the Portland Sea Dogs (AA), Pawtucket Paw Sox (AAA), and finally the Red Sox (MLB).
By August it was pretty obvious to everyone that the Red Sox wouldn’t be playing any games in October and it was time to set their sights on the 2015 season. Betts has certainly proved his worth in these last two months of tryouts. The 21 year old is hitting .285 with a .326 OBP, five home runs, and six stolen bases in 46 games this season. If Betts continues to play well, he could find himself as the Red Sox leadoff hitter next season.
It is evident that Betts is the best equipped member of the Red Sox to serve as the leadoff hitter. After Jacoby Ellsbury signed with the New York Yankees at the end of the 2013 season, the Red Sox were left without a leadoff hitter. The Red Sox tried a number of players in there including, Daniel Nava for six games, Shane Victorino for one game, Grady Sizemore for eleven games (4 for 43), and Dustin Pedroia for 26 games, before settling with Brock Holt for 93 games. Holt batted .281 with a .327 OBP before going through a slump and suffering a season ending injury. The Red Sox chose Betts to replace Holt in the leadoff spot due to his experience at the top of the order. This season, Betts has batted .302 with a .380 OBP and has scored eleven times in 16 games leading off.
“I did kind of miss it,” Betts said, speaking to his role as the leadoff hitter. “Once you get in a certain spot you kind of get used to it. I like starting off a game. I like kicking things off, and you get more at-bats. I kind of like setting the tone and getting a run early.”
Betts has distinguished himself as a trade untouchable. He scored 17 times in September, which is the third most in the big leagues and has established himself as being valuable piece to the team going forward. As the 2014 season comes to a close and we begin to look forward to next season, one player who you can nearly count on being there is, Betts.
