Jacoby Ellsbury Looking 100 Percent, Figures to Bat Leadoff for Red Sox

by abournenesn

Mar 14, 2011

Jacoby Ellsbury Looking 100 Percent, Figures to Bat Leadoff for Red Sox We’re now just 18 days and 17 spring training games away from the season beginning, but who’s counting?

Well, Red Sox fans are, and they still have some unanswered questions ready to go. Without further ado, let’s get to them.

How much will Jason Varitek catch in 2011?
–Tim, Barre, Vt.

How to tell going in? I thought in listening to Terry Francona earlier in the offseason that Jason would catch more than the average backup would, but what does that equate to? I’m not sure.

This I know: He will be incredibly valuable to Jarrod Saltalamacchia‘s maturation process. I think Jason will catch the normal backup games, day game after a night game, once or twice a week, and maybe he will be somebody’s personal catcher. This is a guess, but I could envision a scenario where he becomes Josh Beckett‘s regular catcher.

When will we see Terry Francona’s Opening Day lineup in a game during the spring?
–Kirsten, Waltham, Mass.

You may not. Generally, toward the end of the spring, he will put together a lineup that is what he is thinking or pretty close to what the Opening Day lineup may look like, but he may not. Terry does not generally tip his thinking before he has to. It is also quite possible that this lineup is a work-in-progress type thing that he has not yet decided on. There is no doubt that he has plenty of choices and it will be hard to make the wrong one.

How is Jacoby Ellsbury doing after playing only 18 games in 2010?
–Kevin, Ithaca, N.Y.

Jacoby is doing very well and appears to be 100 percent. We saw him play Saturday on NESN against the Marlins. He had three hits, including a home run, and he was very impressive. Earlier in the spring, I thought because he played so little last year that it may take him some time to get back on track during the spring, and it was realistic that he may not begin the year leading off. Now, I think he is more than ready and most likely will be the guy who leads off come Opening Day. I always reserve the right to change my mind, and here is a classic example.

Who has surprised you so far that you were not expecting to open eyes in spring training?
–Ray, Revere, Mass.

Mike Cameron. It was so hard to tell last year what we were seeing from Cameron. As we later found out, we were watching a guy who had a major injury trying to play through it. After major surgery during the offseason, he has worked hard to get back, and he looks great. He is running well, hitting well and has returned to Gold Glove-caliber defense in the outfield. He looks like a different player and I guess in hindsight we can understand why: He is healthy. I think he will see significant time, mostly in a righty versus left-handed starter matchup and as the Sox’ fourth outfielder.

Will Ryan Kalish make the team after seeing so much time last year?
–Bryan, Lincoln, R.I.

I don’t think so, and I think it is in his best interest not to. I think the plan was for him to play only in the minors last year and because of injury necessities, he was thrust into the majors ahead of the plan. So while it may be hard for him, the best thing for his development would be to return to Pawtucket and play every day. I am not sure being the fifth outfielder at this stage of his career and not playing much with Boston will help his future, which appears to be very bright.

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