Ellsbury trained aggressively at Athletes' Performance in Arizona during the offseason. It was all part of the process of replicating his success from last season, when he finished as the runner-up to Justin Verlander for the American League MVP award.
"I've always tried to be a complete player," Ellsbury said. "Tried to do everything as far as defensive standpoint, running the bases, hitting, driving the ball. For everything to come together, I guess you could say last year was something I always work on."
Ellsbury could be primed to amass those numbers in the third spot in the order. Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said he recently approached Ellsbury about possibly surrendering the leadoff spot.
During his career year in 2011, the outfielder spent 144 games in the No. 1 hole, eight games in the No. 9 slot, three games in the eighth spot, two in the fifth spot and one in the sixth hole.
But the third slot is foreign territory to Ellsbury.
"I haven't hit third on this team before, so I don't know how it would go about mixing the lineup," Ellsbury said. "I know certain guys feel comfortable hitting in certain positions. I've been in different areas of the lineup and it hasn't really bothered me."
Valentine has expressed confidence in Ellsbury's abilities. After touring the baseball globe as an ESPN analyst, the manager came away thinking the 28-year-old deserved the AL MVP award over Verlander.
"I just thought his year was phenomenal," Valentine said. "From the opening day that I saw him in Texas, his swing seemed to be so consistently good. His defense was terrific. … It looked like he was giving the at-bats that were needed. The numbers speak for themselves. I don't know how you get those numbers."
To build on that momentum, Ellsbury said he jotted down a list of personal goals for the 2012 season. Although he declined to reveal the objectives, the Oregon native promised to revisit them throughout the season.
Count Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia as another supporter. For all the ribbing he gives Ellsbury, Pedroia wholeheartedly believes his teammate can piece together another career year.
"If you prepare the right way and do the right things off the field, train your body and put in the time and effort, you're going to have great years every year," Pedroia said. "I firmly believe that. He works extremely hard to make himself a great player."
Considering Ellsbury hasn't altered his approach, he may already be off to a strong start.
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