Jose Iglesias is counting down the days to spring training — another step in the Cuban shortstop’s journey to the big leagues.
"For me it’s going to be a tremendous experience," Iglesias told the Boston Herald. "I just turned 20 years old very recently. I’m kind of going into it wide-eyed. I won’t be intimidated."
The Red Sox signed Iglesias to a four-year, $8.2 million contract last July, a year after he defected to the United States during a junior tournament in Canada.
Iglesias continues to adapt to American culture and is learning to speak English.
"I try every day," he told the Herald in English. "I watch TV. It’s not easy, but I try. If you want it, you can do it."
Red Sox officials are thrilled to have Iglesias in the organization.
"The hands, the range, the athleticism all jump out at you," Red Sox farm director Mike Hazen told the Herald. "I think everyone will get to see that when he first steps into camp. Offensively, we just don’t have enough at-bats. The fact that he held his own in the fall league is very impressive. He’s got a very simple, fundamental swing. We think that’s going to translate very nicely."
Marco Scutaro enters this season as the sixth starting shortstop for the Red Sox since the Nomar Garciaparra trade in 2004. When Scutaro's contract expires after the 2011 season, the team hopes Iglesias will be ready to take his place at shortstop.
Baseball America ranks Iglesias as the ninth-best prospect in the Red Sox organization. Red Sox fans are crossing their fingers that Iglesias lives up to his potential and becomes the team's long-term shortstop.
