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Boston Red Sox Spring Training 2006 Report

This middle infielder was MLN’s 45th Pick in the FAB50 Basball 2005 Rankings last season. Boston’s top pick in the 2004 draft, Dustin Pedroia draws comparisons to Baltimore’s Brian Roberts, not for his power, but for his hustle and natural baseball instincts. He soared through the farm system and split 2005 between Double-A Portland (.325) and Triple-A Pawtucket(.255) in what was only his second pro season.

“He gets off the bus and doesn’t look the part, but when he gets on the field he does everything right,’’ Cherington says. “He understands how to play the game and doesn’t do things he can’t.’’

Pedroia is a great contact hitter. Eastern League managers rated his strike-zone discipline and second-base defense the tops last year, and Cherington feels he is a better defensive player than Roberts.

“He’ll start the year in Pawtucket, but I believe he has a chance to be a very important player for us,’’ Cherington says.   

- Jim Mandelaro

Jonathan Lester | Dustin Pedroia | Jonathan Papelbon | Craig Hansen | Jacoby Ellsbury