The Boston Red Sox have something of a problem facing them next year, and Dustin Pedroia is just the man to fix it.
Top drawer middle infielders, shortstop Alex Gonzalez and second baseman Mark Loretta are both headed for free agency after the end of the season. It is a sure bet that one will stay, and one will go. The good news for Pedroia is that, wherever the vacancy is, he will most likely be the one to fill it.
Dustin, who debuted in the MLN FAB50 Baseball rankings last year at 45, is another in a line of top June draft choices by the Sox who have become big league ready, or close to it, in a hurry.
Boston did not have a first round choice in 2004, but struck gold when Pedroia fell to them in the second.
A shortstop at Arizona State, Pedroia had never played second base until last year, when he manned that post in Portland so that top-rated prospect Hanley Ramirez (MLN FAB50 Baseball 2005 No.16), since traded to Florida, could play short.
Pedroia stayed at second after moving up last year to Pawtucket, although this year he's back at shortstop with the PawSox.
He has the instincts needed to handle second, and the athletic and arm strength to move across the bag.
Pedroia is ready to step in to the Boston lineup at either position.
He says that he has no preference, so long as he gets there, sooner than later.
"Whatever they tell me to do," he said, "I'm ready for. Whenever they give me the chance, I'm ready."
Pedroia's impact is not limited to the field. He is a tough out at the plate, and hit above .300 at each level in the Sox chain.
Pedroia did suffer a set back last year when he was struck on the hand by pitch, the effects of which hampered him the remainder of last year, and the first two months of this one.
He is back, though, in fine form, and is currently one of Pawtucket's top contributors.
"I didn't have a Spring Training," he said. "Everyone thinks I was struggling at the beginning, but I didn't have any at bats. That's the main thing. I couldn't expect to come out, and not see a pitch, and expect to hit .300. That's pretty much impossible. I'm not doing anything different, and I'm not changing anything. I'm just going out there and playing."
- Dan HICKLING
