Red Sox Projected 2020 Lineup

Overtime Heroics Editorial

1921 days ago

After a tough offseason, one thing is for certain, the Red Sox starting lineup in 2020 will look different than the past season. Losing 2018 MVP Mookie Betts and manager Alex Cora, this upcoming season for the Sox will be challenging. The Red Sox are also without Brock Holt who played a key utility role for Boston in the past years. However, there is still hope. Despite the Sox losses this Winter, they still have a solid club and all-star talent down the roster. Today we will break down the projected starting lineup for Boston in this hopeful 2020 season.

BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 20: Xander Bogaerts #2 and Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after scoring during the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 20, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

Andrew Benintendi: LF

2019: 138 games, .266/.343/.431/.774 splits, 13 Home Runs, 68 RBIs

Coming off a very poor season, Andrew Benintendi is hoping for a big bounce back in the 2020 season. After a great 2018 season slashing .290 with 16 homers, Benintendi hit south of .270 in 2019. With Mookie Betts leaving, Benintendi will most likely slide into the leadoff spot. After inconsistent previous seasons, it will be interesting to see how Benintendi will perform in 2020.

Xander Bogaerts: SS

2019: 155 games, .309/.384/.555/.939 splits, 33 Home Runs, 117 RBIs

After the best year of his career, all-star Xander Bogaerts is hoping for the same in 2020. He hit .309 which ranked second among shortstops last year. He also led all shortstop in OPS coming in at .939. Previously Bogaerts had been known for being a reliable contact-hitter, but last year he proved that he had power blasting 33 home runs while also driving in 117 runners. The only concern for Bogaerts is his defense. After posting a -14 Rdrs last year, he is hoping to improve as a fielder.

Rafael Devers: 3B

2019: 156 games .311/.361/.555/.916 splits, 32 Home Runs, 155 RBIs

Despite all the disappointment from Boston last year, Rafael Devers had a breakout season. He hit .311 and added 32 home runs while driving in 155 runners. His terrific season earned him the twelfth spot in the AL MVP voting. Devers hopes to get better defensively, but being only 23 years old, he has lots of time. He can do just about everything at the plate. In his first couple of years, his strikeouts were concerning, but we saw a big improvement from Devers last year in that category. Being one of the league’s best young stars, Devers hopes to have an even better season than last year.

J.D. Martinez: DH

2019: 146 games, .304/.383/.557/.939 splits, 36 Home Runs, 105 RBIs

Coming off a solid season, J.D. Martinez was nowhere near what he did in 2018. He still earned an all-star appearance and did very well at the plate hitting .304 with 36 home runs. Although Martinez may start to show some decline being 32 years old, he is still arguably the best-designated hitter in the game. He has the ability to play in the outfield, but he is nothing special. Martinez is hoping to match another great year and all-star appearance like his last two seasons.

Mitch Moreland: 1B

2019: 91 games, .252/.328/.507/.835 splits, 19 Home Runs, 58 RBIs

After only playing 92 games, usually splitting time with Michael Chavis, Mitch Moreland adds power to the Sox lineup. Though he may not play every day, I would expect Moreland to get a big chunk of games at first base as Chavis will most likely shift over to second base. Moreland has never been known for hitting for average and we saw that last year from him only slashing .252. However, in his small amount of games, he hit just south of 20 home runs and drove in 58 runners. At 34 years old, the veteran Moreland hopes to make the most of his opportunity at first base next year.

Alex Verdugo: RF

2019: 106 games, .294/.342/.475/.817 splits, 12 Home Runs, 44 RBIs

Dealing with a season-ending back injury last year, new Red Sox right fielder Alex Verdugo hopes to add some versatility to Boston’s lineup. Replacing Mookie Betts in right field is not an easy task, but Verdugo is a very solid hitter and is just 24 years old. He is not known for his power, more so his contact ability. In a shortened season, Verdugo did well for the Dodgers at the plate last year hitting .294. Verdugo only hopes to improve for his new team in a hopeful 2020 season.

Michael Chavis: 1B/2B

2019: 95 games, .254/.322/.444/.766 splits, 18 Home Runs, 58 RBIs

2019: 95 games, .254/.322/.444/After getting called up last year in the month of April, Michael Chavis did not disappoint. He proved that he could be reliable at both first and second base. He will most likely split some of his time this year at second with Jose Peraza but will be the front runner for the starter. Although his defense isn’t great, his bat makes up for it. Being just 24 years old, Chavis is one of the best young power hitters in the majors after blasting 18 home runs in just 95 games. It will be very interesting to see how he plays in the hopeful 2020 season. .766 splits, 18 Home Runs, 58 RBIs

Christian Vazquez: C

2019: 138 games, .276/.320/.477/.798 splits, 23 Home Runs, 72 RBIs

In the midst of the Red Sox disappointing season last year, Christian Vazquez had a very good year. Vazquez already established himself as an elite tier defender, but last year he broke out offensively. He hit .207 in 2018, but last year he slashed .276 while hitting 23 homers. Vazquez hopes for more of the same in 2020 after solidifying himself as one of the league’s best catchers last year.

Jackie Bradley Jr: CF

2019: 147 games, .225/.317/.421/.738 splits, 21 Home Runs, 61 RBIs

There is no doubt that Jackie Bradley Jr. is arguably the best defensive outfielder in the league. However, he has been poor with the bat throughout his career. Although we have seen short stints of being a good hitter, he has never been able to do it for a full season. He hit .225 last year which was his lowest average since 2014. We know Jackie will do great in the outfield next year, but it will be interesting to see how he performs at the plate.