I figured I would take a little peak at the battle for shortstop this season and see where each guy stands. As of March 12, Jed Lowrie and Julio Lugo seem pretty even – on paper anyway. Jed has played in two more games than Julio and thus has four more plate appearances, giving him a total of twenty four chances to produce at the dish. While they both have nine hits, two doubles and four RBI’s, Lugo is hanging on to a better OBP and AVG (.478/.450). I like the fact that Lugo has a nice OBP right now because of his speed. If he can find himself on the base paths, he’s no doubt a threat to score every time. Lowrie, however, is hitting the ball well, with two 3-baggers and a slugging percentage of .625! Right now Lowrie is leading the spring squad in triples. Nice.
I want to like Lugo and feel confident with him at short, but I just can’t bring myself to admit it. I cringe and hold my breath when there is a play at short and Lugo has to make the throw to first. Unless the ball is hit right at him and he doesn’t have to make an off-balance throw, Julio Lugo does not make me say “Okay, there’s an out.” Even when he’s got a chance on a routine grounder I still feel uneasy about his arm strength and his accuracy. Prove me wrong Julio!!
Don’t get me wrong, I love Jed at short and at third. I do think that if Lugo can escape the world of fielding errors and the land of over-throws and keep this offensive trend going, then he will get the support he needs from the Fenway crowd. I envision some quality opposite-field hitting from Julio Lugo this season. Maybe we’ll see him leg out a triple on a ball that gets down the right field line, at Fenway, and bounces around in the corner down there.
Best of luck to Jed and Julio!!
Keywords: Boston Red Sox, Jed Lowrie, Julio Lugo
