Spring Training is still in its early stages, but that hasn’t stopped a few players from making a strong impression. With around three weeks remaining until Opening Day, the Boston Red Sox are facing some difficult choices when it comes to finalizing their Major League roster. Much of the attention so far has centered around the competition at third base, the highly-touted trio of prospects Kristian Campbell, Marcelo Mayer, and Roman Anthony, as well as the revamped starting rotation.
However, there’s more going on in camp than just those storylines. One player who has been turning heads and building a solid case for himself is utility infielder Nick Sogard. The 27-year-old has gotten off to an impressive start in camp, appearing in 11 games and putting up strong numbers. As of now, he’s hitting .364 with a .462 on-base percentage and a .591 slugging percentage. His performance includes one home run, four RBIs, two doubles, and three walks.
What helps Sogard’s case even more is his defensive versatility. He has the ability to play all over the infield, which could make him a valuable depth piece. The Red Sox are set at first base with Triston Casas expected to hold down the starting role, but there’s little depth behind him if an injury were to occur. While Sogard doesn’t specialize at first base, his ability to move around the infield could make him an option to back up Casas.
Another player in the mix for a utility role is Romy Gonzalez, who could also serve as backup at first base. But if Sogard keeps up his hot streak at the plate, it could give Boston’s front office a difficult decision when it comes to shaping the Opening Day roster.