ESPN believes the Red Sox are one of the best shows in town.
The Worldwide Leader on Monday released an MLB power ranking in terms of “watchability index.” All 30 teams were graded in five categories: star power (10-point scale), young talent (10-point scale), baserunning (5-point scale), defensive (5-point scale) and minutiae (5-point scale), such as home ballpark, broadcasters and colorful characters. Thus, the maximum total score was 40 points, plus bonuses if MLB writer David Schoenfield was so inclined.
Boston checked in at No. 2 on the ranking with a total score of 31, only one point behind the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Alex Cora’s club received a 7 for star power, 10 for young talent, 4 for baserunning, 4 for defense and 4 for minutiae. The Red Sox also received two bonus points thanks to Garrett Crochet’s fastball and Wilyer Abreu’s hot start.
“The Red Sox are oozing with talent on the position-player side: Abreu, Rookie of the Year candidate Kristian Campbell and Ceddanne Rafaela, plus Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer in Triple-A,” Schoenfield wrote. “Jarren Duran was last year’s breakout star, a guy who did everything — hitting, defense, running the bases. Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers have done it for years, and Crochet gives Boston a Cy Young candidate.
“I don’t know how good the Red Sox will be — Walker Buehler looks shaky and the back of the bullpen has to prove itself — but this is going to be an entertaining team.”
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All things considered, the Fenway Faithful won’t want to miss many Red Sox games this season. Whether it be Boston’s powerhouse ace, vaunted lineup or sheer athleticism, the fanbase will be poised to be wowed on a nightly basis.
The next opportunity to catch one of the most entertaining teams in baseball will be Monday night when the Red Sox kick off a series in Tampa Bay. NESN’s complete coverage of the opener begins at 6 p.m. ET.
Featured image via Matt Marton/Imagn Images
