FORT MYERS, Fla. — Xander Bogaerts is just like everyone else. He can’t get away from the noise.
Bogaerts acknowledged before the Boston Red Sox’s workout at JetBlue Park on Saturday that he has heard the continuous rumblings regarding Stephen Drew’s future, although the 21-year-old rookie has chosen to exert his energy elsewhere.
“You hear it every day, especially you media guys talk about it a lot,” Bogaerts said. “It’s something you hear a lot, but you can’t focus on that. You’ve just got to focus on baseball and try to help the team.”
Bogaerts figures to be the Red Sox’s starting shortstop in 2014, but things certainly could change if Boston re-signs Drew, who remains a free agent with spring training underway across Major League Baseball. Bogaerts, who played third base in place of a struggling Will Middlebrooks last October, said Drew’s lingering free agency isn’t cutting into his preparation this spring, though.
“It’s good when you have to focus on one position,” Bogaerts said. “Last year, it was third and short, so I had to get work at two positions, but now, hopefully I can get it at one [shortstop].”
Bogaerts is considered the No. 2 prospect in baseball on several preseason lists, with Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton earning top billing. It’s something that Bogaers also is aware of, even if — like the Drew situation – he’s not spending too much time worrying about it.
“I always say I have social media, so you definitely see it on social media,” Bogaerts said.
Ah, the age of Twitter.
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