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| Iglesias offers a reason to be excited for spring | 02.10.10 at 12:20 am ET |
I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for spring training to start. Is there anything better than seeing the boys back on the field throwing the ball around or taking batting practice? It’s just another reminder that spring is around the corner.
Personally, I’m already sick of the cold around here. This past week I had the opportunity to get away. The Boston Red Sox held their annual Fantasy Camp down in Fort Myers and, for the second year in a row, I helped members of Red Sox Nation live out their dreams. They dressed and practiced like big leaguers for a week. While the level of play may not have been anywhere close to the majors, this much I can say: they had a blast and so did I.
But they weren’t the only ones in town working towards living out a dream. Mixed in with the 118 fantasy campers were a select few minor leaguers looking to get an early start to the 2010 season. One player in particular caught my eye . . . Jose Iglesias. The 20-year-old Cuban shortstop signed a four-year, $8.25 million deal with the Red Sox this past summer. With that big contract comes big expectations.
Already labeled as “big league ready” defensively, Iglesias may have a little work to do offensively. After all, that is the biggest adjustment moving up through the minor leagues. But before I even got to see Iglesias on the field, I must say, I was very impressed. From day one, Jose walked around the clubhouse shaking hands, signing autographs and taking pictures with would-be fans trying to get a glimpse at the future. With a very impressive grasp on the English language, Iglesias handled himself like a seasoned veteran.
Every morning I was greeted with a smile and a handshake. This young man gets it. But how good is he? I spent the first few days watching him hit in the cage. He looks like he has a good approach at the plate, staying inside the baseball, driving the ball up the middle and the other way. His stroke was short and compact and his hands looked quick. If I had to compare him to someone, I think that Orlando Cabrera would be a good comparison — a player without much power but a good major league hitter.
I had to wait a few days to see him take ground balls, which was killing me because that’s what I was really looking forward to. Let’s just say that it was worth the wait. There’s a certain level of cockiness and confidence that all great infielders possess in order to play the position at such a high level. At the young age of 20, Iglesias already has that trait. There was never a doubt with any ground ball hit his way. Like every great shortstop, it seemed like the ball never hit his mitt. It was catch and release. Smooth. He turned double plays flawlessly. He charged the ball. He ranged to his left and his right.
As much fun as he was having taking ground balls, I must say, it was even more fun to watch. The Red Sox have found their shortstop of the future, and after watching Jose Iglesias take ground balls for a week, I would say that it’s in very good hands.
15 Comments for “Iglesias offers a reason to be excited for spring”
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February 10th, 2010 at 6:50 am
“four-year, $8.25 million deal with the Red Sox this past summer. With that big contract comes big expectations.”
This is true, but let’s put thing in perspective. 8.25 million is really not that much. If he has even one or two good seasons in the majors, the Red Sox got their money’s worth. Think about it, you would expect to get about 8 million worth of production out of a guy like Alex Gonzalez over two seasons. Can Iglesias be any worse offensively than Agon? And we know what he can do defensively.
February 10th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
If Lou Merloni says he is a good one, he’s a good one. No baloney from Merloni. However the hitting is unknown no matter what he does until he reaches Fenway and there is a good reason for this. No matter what level in the pros a player is in, a defensive play is pretty much the same unless and extreme case of nerves takes place. When hitting, nerves are not the only factor. The pitcher you face has a greater level of skill and the defense you hit against would tend to be better. It is very exciting just anticipating all the parts to this Red Sox puzzle fall into place. Wouldn’t it be great if Jordans Furniture has to give alway refunds again.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
With all the hype comes great reviews all around. I can’t wait to see this kid. I hope it gets a good stint in Pawtucket or Lowell so I can go and see him. I imagine he is destined for Portland for the majority of the year and that is a bit of a stretch for me.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Great idea this, this article is just great, especially for beginners. happens all the time
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February 10th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
I was one of those “campers’ who saw him up close. Lou is right, he treated everyone with repsect, (no matter how baddly we looked in those uniforms). I also witnessed the fact that he possed superior quickness as compared to the other minor leaguers, not the fantasy campers. Thanks for a great week Lou.
John from New Jersey.
February 10th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Mike:
We’re talking about a player that got 8.25 million at a very young age and who is going to start low in the minors, not a ML ready free agent. Adam Everett, one of the best defensive SS in the league, makes less per year than this kid.
February 10th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
I was one of the fortunate fantasy campers who donned the battle array with Utility Lou as our coach and had a great time. Thank you for taking the time away from your family and spending it with all of us Epperson’s Eagles! As for Jose Iglesias, I cannot agree more with what Lou said about Jose’s poise around all of the bugged eyed campers asking for autographs and shaking his hand. In fact, a fellow camper’s son had walked up to Jose as he was leaving batting practice to ask for an autograph, without missing a beat, Jose took the boys silver sharpie and signed the bat he used for BP and handed it to him. From where I sit, Jose is already a class act and his skills on the field should only solidify him as a major league ball player! Red Sox nation has something to look forward to at the SS position as long as we give him the time to hone his craft before being placed under the microscope that is Boston sports fans!
February 10th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Who cares about the power as long as he can get on base and spray line-drives around or whatever, combined with great defense, that’s fine with me. He just needs to be able to get on base to be able to start something for guys like Pedroia and Youk
February 10th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
what i love about lou is he`s a sox fan from birth. jus sayin.
donny g san francisco
February 11th, 2010 at 7:54 am
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February 11th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Iglesias does not look like a 20 year old and apparently he acts like someone much older. What documentation from Cuba do the Sox have for his true age? If he is 25 or so, he may already be at the max that he will reach as a hitter. With two years in the minors he will arrive as a 27-28 year old already at his peak, whatever that may be. Sox fans would be wise to restrain their enthusiasm before they believe they are looking at the next Cronin, Petrocelli or Nomar.
February 14th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Merloni’s a joke. He used to take shots in the mouth from truckers for rides to Pawtucket when his Iroc Z was being waxed. Ask Pete Sheppard how unemployment for a no talent clown is going – thats where you’re headed Lou-ser.
February 17th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
And yet you are here over and over and over and over again. On Valentines Day no less. Interesting, no? Not surprising though. Do us all a favor “Sitting in a Tree” please stop trolling the internet for Merloni blogs and pictures, get out of your dark, shade drawn bedroom at your moms house with your New Kids on the Block posters all over the spooge stained walls and get some fresh air. Perhaps a job. The hate is just misplaced jealousy. In your case, rampant jealousy.
Wipe off the lipstick and take off your Nomar jersey while you’re at it.
April 4th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
This blog is getting more traffic because of portals like Myspace and additional social media. Thanks for the cool post I’ll be back for updates.
May 17th, 2010 at 5:43 am
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. . . .