A lot of shit has gone about as poorly as it possibly could have and we're clinging to relevance with one tooth and half a claw but there's one thing that has gone as well as it possibly could and that's the development of Xander Bogaerts, particularly with the glove.
He doesn't have the range or hands of a truly exceptional shortstop but he is light years ahead of last year.
A few moments ago he made a nice play on Longoria going to third to knock down the lead runner at third in a tie game in the late innings.
It wasn't a spectacular play but it was far from a gimme. It was a heads up play to capitalize on a base running mistake and its at least the second time this year he has made a play like it.
It's the kind of play that last year I wouldn't even have wanted him to try because a fail there stands a good chance of costing the team a run in a game deciding situation.
It's been a joy to watch and if he's not our ASG rep this year, he will be serval times before he's done.
He doesn't have the range or hands of a truly exceptional shortstop but he is light years ahead of last year.
A few moments ago he made a nice play on Longoria going to third to knock down the lead runner at third in a tie game in the late innings.
It wasn't a spectacular play but it was far from a gimme. It was a heads up play to capitalize on a base running mistake and its at least the second time this year he has made a play like it.
It's the kind of play that last year I wouldn't even have wanted him to try because a fail there stands a good chance of costing the team a run in a game deciding situation.
It's been a joy to watch and if he's not our ASG rep this year, he will be serval times before he's done.