Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino is just like everybody else when it comes to Xander Bogaerts. He’s excited for the day when Boston’s top prospect arrives in the majors.
Lucchino joined WEEI’s Dennis and Callahan Show on Thursday, and he touched on a number of topics, including the excellent job that manager John Farrell has done, the team’s approach last offseason and Jacoby Ellsbury‘s future. He also discussed Bogaerts, and it’s clear that he’s looking forward to the 20-year-old’s arrival in Boston — whenever that may be.
“Oh yes, oh yes,” Lucchino said. “He’s the youngest player in the International League right now, and he’s doing well right now even though he’s only been there a relatively short time, and he has plenty of tools. We don’t want to overhype anyone, but if there were someone you’d be tempted to overhype, it would be Xander. He’s a massive specimen and plays the game with a lot of excitement and joy, so it’ll be great when his time comes. We’re certainly thinking he’s going to be up here at some point this year.”
Bogaerts, who is the No. 1 prospect in the Red Sox organization, has drawn considerable praise from scouts all across baseball this season. He’s considered by many to be a future superstar, and there’s been plenty of debate about whether or not the Red Sox should bring him up immediately.
Bogaerts had a .311 average, .407 on-base percentage, six home runs and 35 RBIs in 56 games with Double-A Portland before making the leap to Triple-A Pawtucket in June. The infielder has hit .275 with eight home runs and 26 RBIs in 49 games since joining the PawSox.
The Red Sox have been going with a platoon of Brock Holt and Brandon Snyder at third base recently, although Jose Iglesias‘ departure increased the likelihood that we’ll see Bogaerts and/or Will Middlebrooks in the majors before long.
For now, the anticipation continues to build.
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