The Never Weres

Not too long ago someone asked me who my favorite Red Sox player of the last decade or so was. I thought for a second and said Xander Bogaerts. He is currently my favorite player to watch on the team. Along with Alex Verdugo and Rafael Devers, they have such an exciting top of their lineup. But, for the sake of housekeeping, my answer was wrong. The answer to that question should have been David Ortiz. That’s the right answer. The thing is, I will always lean towards a shortstop. Can you blame me? A Red Sox fan that was 8 years old when Nomar started this run:

Shortstop to me is the most exciting position. The one that other than centerfield, or whatever position Mookie Betts is playing, has the best athlete. That’s why I have been such a fan of Bogaerts from the time he was called up to play third base during the title run in 2013. I even know the moment I fell in love.

He was 20 years old facing Max Scherzer when that walk happened. That at-bat ended the night for Scherzer and led to Shane Victorino’s series-clinching grand slam. That’s when it happened for me, laying off a 3-2 changeup in Game 6 of the ALCS against the man that would be named the AL Cy Young winner a month later. Did I make that one at-bat dramatic enough?

That is all a long-winded way of saying there is no argument about who should start in the All-Star Game for the American League. Bogaerts is so far and above the rest of the AL shortstops. Here is how he ranks among MLB shortstops so far:

Batting Average: 1st (.320)

On-Base Percentage: 1st (.382)

Slugging: 1st (.550)

OPS: 1st (.932)

WRC+: 1st (151)

fWAR: 1st (3.1)

wOBA: 1st (.396) (OK I only kind of get this stat. It is stat that gives credit to a hitter for the value of each hit. So for example a single in the 6th inning that brings in a run to tie a game has more value than that same scenario but your team is getting blown out. Get it? Yeah, same. Fangraphs has the full description and you can read it there. Anyway, in this case it helps make my point)

HR: 5th (12)

RBI: 3rd (39)

2B: 1st (17)

OK, enough stats. I hope I have driven this point home. Full disclaimer I am meh on All-Star games. I think it’s silly fans get a vote. Obviously, White Sox fans will vote for Tim Anderson and I don’t blame them. Same with Astros fans with Correa and all of Canada with Bo Bichete. They should vote for their favorite players. I think it should be a vote by the players and coaches and it is an award at the end of the season.

I would encourage anyone that isn’t a Red Sox fan to watch Bogaerts as much as they can. His approach at the plate is exactly what you want. He is not a three true outcomes guy. He will take a single the other way when he has it. He will double into the gaps. He will muscle up for walk-off grand slams.

Right now he is the best shortstop in the majors and if I was asked the same question about my favorite player, I would give the same answer.