The Red Sox have a "good" problem as they enter spring training with a surplus of talented outfielders. The question remains, if Shane Victorino is healthy and set to be the starting right fielder, who will be the team's starting center fielder?
We're going to assume Victorino will be starting in right field since manager John Farrell said that would be the case if the veteran can prove he's healthy in spring training after undergoing back surgery last year. With Hanley Ramirez in left field, this leaves Rusney Castillo, Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr. competing for the starting center field job, and it might as well be wide open. However, each player provides their own strong case.
Castillo was one of the top players in Cuba before the Red Sox signed him to a seven-year, $72.5 million deal in August. The 27-year-old slashed .319/.383/.516/.899 with 256 runs scored, 51 home runs, 226 RBIs and 76 stolen bases in five seasons (360 games) in Cuba's Serie Nacionale. He spent some time in the minors after he signed with Boston and eventually reached the MLB roster for 10 games, during which he batted .333/.400/.528/.928 with six runs scored, two home runs, six RBIs and three stolen bases. However, the games he played in 2014 with the Red Sox were his first since 2012 because he defected from Cuba in 2013 in hopes of landing an MLB contract.
"He has a chance to be a really good major league player," said general manager Ben Cherington via ESPN's Gordon Edes. "We're happy he's here."
Betts is one of Boston's top prospects and spent 52 games with the team last season. Primarily a second baseman, the 22-year-old was moved to the outfield because of Dustin Pedroia's presence at second for the next seven years. He played center field (28 games) and right field (12 games) while slashing an impressive .291/.368/.444/.812 with 34 runs scored, five home runs, 18 RBIs and seven stolen bases. He's viewed as the team's future leadoff hitter and there's no doubting his abilities after what he showed during his short window of opportunity in 2014. His minor league stats were impressive as well.
"He's shown the ability to make adjustments quickly, has an aptitude, has a chance to win games for a long time," said Cherington. "That's the kind of player we want on our side."
Lastly, Jackie Bradley Jr. is a candidate that should not be forgotten. He has the most professional experience out of the others competing for the job and is perhaps the best defensive option. However, his offensive struggles are a serious concern and he's been focusing on that area this offseason. The 24-year-old has slashed .196/.268/.280/.548 with 63 runs scored, four home runs, 40 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 164 games over the past two seasons. Farrell believes he's the "best center fielder in baseball" and says Bradley is currently "working to establish himself more as an offensive player," via Edes.
Each of these players brings their own unique quality to the table and it's up to Farrell to decide who can be the best all-around player at the position.
"A guess at this point: Castillo opens the season as the center fielder, Betts is the swing man and Bradley starts the season in Pawtucket," Edes added. "But the situation is an extremely fluid one. Good old-fashioned competition? May the best man win."
