Will Middlebrooks… easy does it killer. Trust me, you’ve got our attention. Ben Cherrington must be perusing Match.com these days, because since the day you showed up on Fenway’s doorstep you’ve really hit it off. Youk goes down, your stock goes soaring up. Thank you Will. Thank you for being you.
Typically I don’t hop all over new Red Sox prospects who have 4 games of major league experience under their belt. But you need to know who Will Middlebrooks is given the start he’s off to in his major league career; 21 at bats, 8 hits; 3 doubles, 3 home runs, 9 RBI and a .381 average thus far. In the last two days alone he’s hit a 2-run home run, a 3-run home run, and a Grand Slam. This man may have a future here in Boston.
So now the real question – who the hell is this guy? Middlebrooks was drafted in the 5th round of the 2007 draft by the Red Sox, a selection taken straight out of a Texas high school. Middlebrooks already agreed to play both baseball and football at Texas A&M, but instead signed with the Red Sox to the tune of a $925,000 signing bonus. Perfect; the guy has had an opportunity to wet his whistle, hasn’t screwed it up at a young age, and has an incentive ahead of him to make a whole lot more money.
Middlebrooks’ scouting report reads quite well – a shortstop converted to a third baseman, 25+ home run power, light on his feet with a strong arm. He’s 6’4, 200 pounds, and an extremely hard worker. Sounds to me like the Red Sox need to clone this guy.
I am always hesitant when it comes to signing praises on young guys with little experience – Shane Spencer is my eternal example of this. But that said, it’s hard not to get excited about this kid after watching him go yard then watching Darnell McDonald flail around in the spot behind him.
In a season with very few bright spots except for Boston’s Sun and Moon – David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia – Middlebrooks is giving us something to be excited about. Will Middlebrooks… hell it even sounds like a ballplayer’s name.
Happy to have you.
I feel like papi should be the moon and pedroia the sun!
So what happens when Youk comes back?
Good question. Good problem to have.
Only 4 games but he’s making it fun to watch the Sox. Still hoping Youk can be a major contributor if he ever gets healthy. Anyway his salary and injury history make him impossible to move.