Xander Bogaerts - Page 14 - Talksox

example1 · 09-02-2012, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orange Juiced

As part of the great rebuilding process, the Red Sox are going to need to figure out their SS situation. I know there's a thread already dedicated to Iglesias, and that's cool. I do not think he's the long-term solution at SS and I'm totally fine if they try to trade him this offseason or, if they think he can be a super-defensive utility guy, maybe he sticks in that role for them at some point.

I think Xander Bogaerts is the next great Red Sox SS. I know he has a frame that many suggest will be too big for SS, but right now he's 6'3", 175, and even if he fills out to, say, 200, he'll still be in ok range for a SS. Here are some terrific SS who have been big:

Jeter: 6'3", 195 lbs
ARod: 6'3", 225 lbs
Ripken Jr: 6'4", 200 lbs
Renteria: 6'1", 200 lbs

So yes, he'd be big, but not off the charts big. In any event, I think it'll take him many years to fill out to that size, so the Sox should get at least 5-6 years of him at SS before a position change is needed. And that would give them enough time to find a replacement.

But what's Bogaerts' floor, and what's the ceiling? Obviously, let's not say his floor is to be out of baseball in a week due to some awful injury. Let's say he stays healthy. His minor league stats are:

2011 (18 years old) - Greenville (A) - 265 ab, 16 hr, 45 rbi, .260/.324/.509/.834
2012 (19 years old) - both levels - 469 ab, 20 hr, 81 rbi, .307/.374/.525/.899
- Salem (A) - 384 ab, 15 hr, 64 rbi, .302/.378/.505/.833
- Portland (AA) - 85 ab, 5 hr, 17 rbi, .329/.356/.612/.967

The kid clearly has power. And for a SS, tremendous power. He's not a 24-25 year old either. He's just 19.

I would suggest his ceiling is a perennial all-star at SS, then 3b as he hits his late 20s. I would suggest his floor is a guy who teases with the power, but can't field the SS well enough at the MLB level, but whose power keeps him around, so he plays 3b but doesn't get on base well enough to start.

If I had to bet, I'd bet closer to the ceiling than the floor. I love the potential of a left side of the Sox' infield of Middlebrooks and Bogaerts for years. That's a lot of power and potential, for not much money at all.

It's such a tough sell to say that his ceiling is perennial all-star at SS and 3B. There are simply so many great players in baseball that saying he's a perennial all-star at SS means his ceiling is hall of fame caliber. I mean, what is an example of a perennial all-star at SS or 3B? Jeter, A-Rod, Longoria? Tulo (?). Even Hanley Ramirez or Jose Reyes wouldn't meet that category.

So while that ceiling does sound a bit high, I realize that his ceiling is considerably higher than just about any prospect the Sox have had for awhile. If that's the case, and they end up being right, then he could potentially end up being that caliber of player. That would be really exciting. Just don't want to get ahead of ourselves.

A floor--if his trajectory continues as it has--might be a guy like Renteria. He came up with the Marlins very young, had a few years with 10-15 HR, played solid defense, and was a key part of a few WS contending clubs. That's not a bad floor. Of course, if that's his floor then there's no reason NOT to trade him when his value is so high.

SCM33 · 09-02-2012, 10:39 PM

He is the future 1B/DH with a potential to hit like an AS.

Spitball · 09-03-2012, 12:13 AM

If he can play shortstop at the major league level, the Red Sox should be in great shape. Pedroia, Bogaerts, and Middlebrooks in the infield for the next several years and Bradley and Brentz in the outfield should mean the Sox can invest in some quality pitching. Bank on Swihart as the catcher of the future, and the Sox will build their wway back better than ever.

SouthieFanatic · 09-03-2012, 01:08 AM

Ive seen Xander play on several occasions in Portland. Everytime I came away impressed not only with the offense but also the glove. Hes hitting .330 right how with 5 dingers in AA. Assuming the sox are gonna play him in the fall league id say theres a strong chance he could start in AAA for 2013. Alot of things need to happen in order for that though. As far as him staying at SS or not we'll see what direction the sox are heading by where he plays in the AFL. He could be a SS at the mlb level though. He has the athleticism to stay there

Behindenemylines · 09-15-2012, 12:05 PM

Bogaerts, Bradley and Barnes were named 2012 Second team minor league All-Stars. Great news for the future of the Sox.

Porcupine penis · 01-07-2013, 07:05 PM

I cannot wait for this kid to come up, he is going to make Jose Iglesias look like an afterthought.

BSN07 · 01-18-2013, 10:18 AM

Excited to see Bogaerts playing for the Netherlands in the upcoming WBC. All their games get televised here, will be nice to see him play.

redsoxfan3 · 01-19-2013, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSN07

Excited to see Bogaerts playing for the Netherlands in the upcoming WBC. All their games get televised here, will be nice to see him play.

Let me know how he looks. I will not be able to watch him play and will be able to just look at stats. I am interested in hearing how he does from someone that will be able to see him play.

Dojji · 01-20-2013, 09:00 AM

Easily our best SS prospect since Nomar and before that the best we'd had for a looooooong time. Besides Nomar the only other guy I can think of off the top of my head who was that kind of shortstop for the Red Sox is Rico Petrocelli.

I actually consider Petrocelli a pretty good comp with Xander, since IIRC Petro was not the best defender ever.

Lucienbel · 01-23-2013, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spitball

If he can play shortstop at the major league level, the Red Sox should be in great shape. Pedroia, Bogaerts, and Middlebrooks in the infield for the next several years and Bradley and Brentz in the outfield should mean the Sox can invest in some quality pitching. Bank on Swihart as the catcher of the future, and the Sox will build their wway back better than ever.

It'd be excellent if all these guys come up and play well. To have a core like that would mean the Sox would hardly have to do anything in free agency...... They'd be able to fill in remaining gaps with "sexy" pitchers and other position players and not feel too bad about it as long as they performed. This is something that they should have stayed focused on doing instead of whatever it was they ended up doing.

Dojji · 01-26-2013, 11:50 AM

I disagree. They definitely should have gone as hard as they could to maintain their position at the top of the division. They definitely should have tried to go over the top in both 08 and 09. 2010 was a strange year, I can understand disregarding it. It was when they missed the playoffs in 2011 that they went off the rails. That's when it was time to step back, but no one is going to have the stones to call that shot when the team missed the playoffs by a tiebreaker.

SouthieFanatic · 02-15-2013, 04:30 PM

Just stirring up the pot here, but what if he kills it at the WBC? Has a couple bombs off some top of the line Dominican pitchers or something? Will the RedSox look at his performance in the WBC and re-evaluate him for a possible opening day spot? Crazy yes, but it's just a thought

BSN07 · 02-15-2013, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthieFanatic

Just stirring up the pot here, but what if he kills it at the WBC? Has a couple bombs off some top of the line Dominican pitchers or something? Will the RedSox look at his performance in the WBC and re-evaluate him for a possible opening day spot? Crazy yes, but it's just a thought

Nope. They have there opening day SS in Drew. There's no reason to rush Xander and start his ML service clock on top of that. I think he will have a better shot at breaking camp next year.

Dojji · 02-15-2013, 05:24 PM

I think bogaerts is going to be called up midseason.

In 2014.

BSN07 is right. It's too early to start the clock. Even if Drew is hurt, right now I'd rather mix and match Ciriaco and Iglesias and give Bogaerts a chance to gain more reps in the minors. He's the most talented SS we've had this side of Nomar, but that's all the more reason to be intelligent with when, where, and how you make use of him.

I know fans want to see this kid on the field. Heck, I do too. But there's a time and a place, and right now is neither.

SouthieFanatic · 02-15-2013, 07:16 PM

I hear what you guys are saying. I'm just a believer in if a player is ready why wait? I know it's damn near impossible he'll see any time at Fenway this season, maybe September call up. I will admit I completely blanked out with Drew penciled in for the SS duties. Anybody but Jose please!