Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Red Sox have already surpassed 50 wins and continue to head in a positive direction. They currently stand at 53-34 and are first in the AL East. Not only has the team been winning, but they have been finding surprising production from the unlikeliest of candidates.
Daniel Nava, for one. Nava has not only made his claim for why he should be a permanent mainstay in the Sox’ injury-prone outfield, but why he also deserves to be an All-Star.
This season, Nava has maintained a respectable .284 AVG, with 10 HRs and 49 RBIs. Not only have his power numbers been there, but Nava has also been consistently reliable getting on base with a .372 OBP.
Nava has been good enough, in the eyes of manager John Farrell, to be the Sox’ everyday starter. He also must hope that he is good enough in the eyes of MLB fans, if he wants to make the All-Star squad.
Unlike Nava, shortstop Jose Iglesias has seen the ups and downs of an MLB season. Due to the early-season injury to Stephen Drew, Iglesias was called up from Pawtucket to be the Sox Opening Day shortstop. Before being optioned back down to Triple A, Iglesias clearly took advantage of his opportunity. Batting .450 with a .476 OPS, Iglesias led the team in average and was statistically the best player on the Red Sox at the time.
Unfortunately, just not in the eyes of Sox management.
Iglesias has most recently been brought back to the majors to replace the struggling Will Middlebrooks, who has been optioned down to Pawtucket. Iglesias has once again shined in the given opportunity, as he has batted .411 with one HR and 11 RBIs, and held an impressive 18-game hitting streak which ended on June 19 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Don’t expect Iglesias to be able to maintain a .400 AVG as he is a career .300 hitter.
Jonny Gomes has been another player who has produced for the Red Sox all season long, but his stats seem to show otherwise. Gomes is batting a subpar .237 with six HRs and 22 RBIs. Though he is not known to be a stat-sheet stuffer, he has come through when it counts. Gomes has hit multiple walk-off home runs this year, with his most recent coming on Wednesday night against the San Diego Padres.
Acquired via free agency, Gomes was expected to play a platoon role after being signed to a two-year, $10 million deal. Though he hasn’t seen much playing time, he has been a valuable enough option and has played his role to the fullest extent.
With the All Star Break looming and the trade deadline coming up, Boston has been among a list of teams as potential suitors for a few sought-after players that are on the market. With the way that the Sox have been performing up to this point, they may want to re-consider making any moves and staying considerably quiet at the deadline.
