Talent evaluators love Mookie Betts.
Two scouts who follow the Red Sox told The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, unsolicited, on Tuesday the idea that Betts could start the season in the minors simply is crazy talk.
“Not have him as your center fielder and leadoff hitter? Are you kidding me?” one of the scouts told Speier. “This guy could be an All-Star. This guy could be an All-Star this year. He could have been Rookie of the Year last year if he’d had more at-bats. He could be their best player.”
There’s been no indication the Red Sox are considering starting the season without Betts on their roster. The most likely scenario, as Speier notes, is that Betts will bat leadoff for Boston on Opening Day. Betts has minor league options remaining and still has very little major league experience, though, so the possibility of him starting the year at Triple-A Pawtucket has at least been broached outside the organization — as nutty as that sounds.
Betts, 22, burst onto the scene in 2014 after beginning the season at Double-A Portland. He hit .291 with five homers, 18 RBIs, seven stolen bases and an .812 OPS in 213 plate appearances over 52 big league games.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
