Shortstops are the linchpin of the infield, and there are a bunch of MLB infields with strong linchpins in 2020. Francisco Lindor, Trevor Story and Xander Bogaerts are at the head of the class, but they have a ton of competition...
Red Sox's Xander Bogaerts Talks Alex Cora Firing, 2018 World Series amid Scandal
Jan 16, 2020
Boston Red Sox' Alex Cora looks on before the baseball game against the San Diego Padres Friday, Aug. 23, 2019, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez)
Two days after Alex Cora parted ways with the Boston Red Sox for his role in the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal, All-Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts addressed the situation with his former manager and the team's run to the World Series title in 2018.
Speaking to reporters about Cora, Bogaerts called it a "very unfortunate" situation and that the team "enjoyed" playing for him.
Bogaerts on Cora: "Obviously it’s very unfortunate, I know he's some we enjoyed playing for... He’s someone we’ll miss a lot." #RedSoxpic.twitter.com/Mql88DHIxH
In response to a question about people potentially doubting the legitimacy of their success on the field, Bogaerts also said that championship team "worked hard everyday in 2018, we showed up, we played hard."
How do you respond to the people that are going to call the Red Sox cheaters? @ButchStearns
Bogaerts: "We worked hard everyday in 2018, we showed up, we played hard. We loved each other and that's one of the main reasons we made it as far as we did." pic.twitter.com/7UiFtODn5b
Cora explained his decision to part ways with the Red Sox in ajoint statementreleased on Tuesday:
"We agreed today that parting ways was the best thing for the organization. I do not want to be a distraction to the Red Sox as they move forward. My two years as manager were the best years of my life. It was an honor to manage these teams and help bring a World Series Championship back to Boston. I will forever be indebted to the organization and the fans who supported me as a player, a manager and in my efforts to help Puerto Rico. This is a special place. There is nothing like it in all of baseball, and I will miss it dearly."
The move came after MLBreleased findingsfrom its investigation into the Astros, which uncovered a process of stealing signs during the 2017 season and part of the 2018 regular season.
Houston manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for one year andsubsequently firedby the team. The organization received a $5 million fine, the maximum allowed under MLB rules, and lost its first- and second-round draft picks in 2020 and 2021.
Cora was specifically mentioned as one of the people involved in setting up the system in 2017 when he was a bench coach for the Astros.
Carlos Beltran, who was with the Astros in 2017 and was the only player specifically named in MLB's report,announcedon Thursday a mutual parting of ways with the New York Mets. He was hired as their manager in November after working in the New York Yankees front office last season.
Per The Athletic'sKen Rosenthal and Evan Drellich, multiple unnamed sources said Boston illegally used a video replay room during the 2018 season—Cora's first in charge with the Red Sox.
"It's cheating," one person who was with the 2018 Red Sox told Rosenthal and Drellich. "Because if you're using a camera to zoom in on the crotch of the catcher, to break down the sign system and then take that information and give it out to the runner, then he doesn’t have to steal it."
The Red Sox hired Cora, 44, as their manager in November 2017. The Puerto Rico native led the team to a franchise-record 108 wins in his inaugural season and a 4-1 series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.
Red Sox Hit 4 Home Runs, Trounce Yankees 19-3 in Record-Setting Rivalry Win
Jul 26, 2019
The Boston Red Sox have played the New York Yankees for 117 years but have never had an offensive showing like Thursday’s at Fenway Park.
Boston destroyed its archrival 19-3, and Jimmy Golen of the Associated Press (h/t Boston.com) noted it was the most runs the defending World Series champions have scored against the Yankees in the history of the series.
Masahiro Tanaka started for New York and was promptly destroyed by Boston’s formidable offense. He allowed 12 runs in 3.1 innings, which Golen pointed out was the most a Yankees pitcher has allowed against the Red Sox since earned runs became a stat in 1913.
Xander Bogaerts drilled two home runs and went 4-for-6 with four runs and four RBI, while Sandy Leon and Rafael Devers each went deep as well.
The Yankees are still 10 games ahead of the Red Sox in the American League East, although Boston is now just a half-game behind the second-place Tampa Bay Rays.
New York’s problems extend outside of the standings, as it has given up 54 runs in its last five games combined. The last time the AL East leaders allowed fewer than five runs in a game was Friday against the Colorado Rockies, and the starting pitching is primarily to blame:
Yankee Starters Last 5 Games (since July 21): 17.2 IP 18.34 ERA 40 R 12 HR 38 Hits
If the Yankees are going to cash in on World Series expectations, they will need much better starting pitching come October. Even their strong bullpen won't be able to do much if the starters are being shelled every time out.
Don't be surprised if New York homes in on at least one starting pitcher prior to Wednesday's trade deadline. Thursday's game underscored how much it needs another arm.
2019 MLB All-Star Roster: Complete AL, NL Lineups and Game Schedule
Jul 4, 2019
Houston Astros' Alex Bregman bats against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 28, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
The American League will look to extend its winning streak in the MLB All-Star Game to seven Tuesday at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
The AL has won the last four exhibition events in away parks, with Cleveland becoming the first AL host since Minnesota in 2014.
Although the AL holds the recent advantage in the All-Star Game, it only has one more overall win than the National League going into the 90th edition of the event.
Each of the last three All-Star Games to be held in AL parks have been at the stadiums of AL Central clubs. The NL's last victory came in Kansas City in 2012.
The first set of changes to an All-Star Game roster occurred Wednesday when the American League replaced three players.
Tampa Bay's Brandon Lowe came in for Los Angeles' Tommy La Stella at second base, Boston's Xander Bogaerts took the roster spot of Texas' Hunter Pence and Minnesota's Jose Berrios claimed the place that belonged to teammate Jake Odorizzi.
Cleveland bound!
Brandon Lowe, José Berríos and Xander Bogaerts have been named to the AL All-Star team to replace Tommy La Stella, Jake Odorizzi and Hunter Pence. pic.twitter.com/auje8n9MTt
On top of the three alterations, the AL named Boston's J.D. Martinez as the starting designated hitter in the absence of Pence.
Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register pointed out La Stella suffered a shin contusion in Tuesday's game against Texas, while Odorizzi suffered a blister on his right hand against Oakland Tuesday, which led to Minnesota placing him on the 10-day injured list.
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reported Pence aggravated a right groin strain during a rehab assignment Monday.
Each of the three replacements was deserving of an All-Star spot from the start. Lowe is tied with La Stella for most home runs among AL second basemen, Bogaerts is hitting .301 with 16 home runs and 58 RBI, and Berrios is 8-4 with 102 strikeouts and a 2.89 ERA.
After the changes, Tampa Bay has three All-Star participants, while Boston and Minnesota have two each.
Bregman Aiming to Repeat As MVP
Only two previous All-Star Game Most Valuable Players are on the rosters for the 2019 edition, and both of them play for the American League.
Alex Bregman won the MVP award a year ago, and he is looking to replicate Mike Trout's back-to-back honors from 2014 and 2015.
Bregman's recent form suggests he will make some type of impact for the AL from the starting lineup.
Since the start of June, the Houston Astros star has recorded six multiple-hit games, and he had two three-hit performances on June 25 and 28.
In 55 plate appearances at Progressive Field, Bregman has 12 hits, 11 RBI, four doubles and a pair of triples and home runs.
Given he will be handed at least two chances to bat from the starting lineup, the 25-year-old has a chance to extend his strong form at the plate into Cleveland.
If he gets on base and is able to drive in a run or two, Bregman will put himself in a good position to achieve the rare feat of successive MVP awards.
Brandon Lowe, Jose Berrios, Xander Bogaerts Named AL All-Star Team Replacements
Jul 3, 2019
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 26: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox runs to first base after hitting a two-run RBI-single to take the lead in the eighth inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park on June 26, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
MLB announced its three injury replacements for the 2019 American League All-Star team: Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe, Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Jose Berrios and Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts.
Cleveland bound!
Brandon Lowe, José Berríos and Xander Bogaerts have been named to the AL All-Star team to replace Tommy La Stella, Jake Odorizzi and Hunter Pence. pic.twitter.com/auje8n9MTt
The trio take the places of Los Angeles Angels infielder Tommy La Stella, Twins starter Jake Odorizzi and Texas Rangers outfielder Hunter Pence.
Bogaerts was one of the biggest snubs when the full AL roster was unveiled. He's batting .301 with 16 home runs and 58 RBI. He's first among AL shortstops inweighted on-base average(.389) andWAR(3.8).
Bogaerts lamented in June how he thought All-Star voters in recent years have failed to properly recognize his contributions, per WEEI'sRob Bradford:
"These past few years every time I've come up just short even though my numbers have been up there or better than most of the guys. It's just so weird. I just miss out when in my opinion I should have been there. I just feel like it's a routine, every year the same thing. It's kind of getting annoying. But I don't know what to do."
The 26-year-old had to wait until the last minute, but he finally received his second All-Star nod.
Berrios is building on a strong 2018 campaign and one of many reasons the Twins lead the AL Central by seven games over the Cleveland Indians. He's 8-4 with a 3.68 FIP in17 starts. He's also averaging 1.61 walks per nine innings, a full walk lower than last year (2.85)
Lowe is enjoying a breakout 2019. Through 76 games, he's slugging .523 with 16 homers and 49 RBI. To put that power in perspective, he slugged .465 with 38 home runs in321 minor league gamesbefore getting the full-time promotion to the majors. Lowe's 2.5 WAR is tied with Tommy Pham forhighestamong Rays position players.
The Indians will host the 2019 MLB All-Star Game at Progressive Field on Tuesday, July 9.
MLB All-Star Roster 2019: Top Snubs After Final Voting Results
Jun 30, 2019
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JUNE 26: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres looks on at third base during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 26, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The final rosters for the 2019 All-Star Game have been set, which means it's time to look at the most egregious omissions from the list of 64 players.
As a result of Major League Baseball's insistence on every team having at least one representative, squeezing in every deserving player becomes a nearly impossible task. Another problem is positional depth—for example, it can be hard to reward five shortstops from one league who are all worthy of taking part in the Midsummer Classic.
As everyone continues to pore over the American League and National League stars who will do battle for supremacy in Cleveland on July 9, here are the players most deserving of a spot on the team who wound up on the outside.
American League
Xander Bogaerts, SS, Boston Red Sox: .299/.392/.532, 15 HR, 55 RBI, 3.7 fWAR
Xander Bogaerts has to be wondering what more he could have done to make the AL All-Star team.
The Boston Red Sox shortstop ranks second in the league with 3.7 WAR—Mike Trout leads MLB with 5.2. He ranks first at the position with a .392 on-base percentage, second with a .532 slugging percentage and 15 homers.
Only two shortstops were selected to the AL squad—Jorge Polanco of the Minnesota Twins and Francisco Lindor of the Cleveland Indians. Polanco was voted in as the starter and has a .905 OPS for one of the best teams in MLB.
Lindor is having another strong season with a .293/.352/.500 slash line and 12 homers despite missing the first 20 games with an ankle injury. He's also going to be the face of All-Star week in his home ballpark and is one of the sport's great ambassadors, so it's difficult to say he doesn't belong.
There's still no reason that Bogaerts shouldn't have cracked the squad in a reserve role.
Sticking at shortstop, Marcus Semien of the Oakland Athletics is another unfortunate victim of AL snubbing. Among players who have played a majority of their games this season at the position, he ranks second in wins above replacement and runs scored (55).
Semien has also developed into one of the best defensive players in MLB. He leads all AL shortstops in defensive value (10.5) and is second in defensive runs saved (six).
On the subject of every team needing one representative, how does Trey Mancini not get the nod for the Baltimore Orioles? John Means has had a fine season in the starting rotation with a 2.50 ERA, but his 75.2 innings isn't even enough for him to qualify for the ERA title.
Mancini is the one of the few reasons to watch Baltimore games right now. The 27-year-old also adds versatility off the bench because he can play first base and either corner outfield position.
National League
Max Muncy, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers: .281/.383/.550, 20 HR, 57 RBI, 3.2 WAR
Fernando Tatis Jr., SS, San Diego Padres: .335/.405/.619, 11 HR, 28 RBI, 2.6 WAR
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 22: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers grounds out while facing Bryan Shaw #29 of the Colorado Rockies in the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Dodgers won 5-4 in 11 innings. (Photo b
All three of the NL snubs suffer from the same problem previously discussed with Bogaerts and Semien. Max Muncy, Eduardo Escobar and Fernando Tatis Jr. all have outstanding All-Star resumes on their own, but it's not as simple as saying this player deserves to be on the team.
First base in the NL is stacked at the top this year, which led to snubs like Muncy, Rhys Hoskins of the Philadelphia Phillies and Anthony Rizzo of the Chicago Cubs. If you put those players on, can you justify leaving off Pete Alonso and Josh Bell with Freddie Freeman already set to start?
Muncy, in particular, has the best resume and reasons to be upset by the result. He ranks second among all qualified NL first basemen with 3.2 wins above replacement, third in on-base percentage, fourth in slugging percentage and homers.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been a pleasant surprise in the NL this year. They were expected to be going through a rebuild, yet ended Sunday with a respectable 43-43 record. The team will be well-represented in Cleveland with Ketel Marte starting at second base and Zack Greinke on the pitching staff.
But Escobar has carved out a terrific season worthy of recognition. He is tied with Anthony Rendon, who is the NL's reserve third baseman, with 18 homers, and his 64 RBI rank second at the position behind Nolan Arenado's total.
All of this has been a preamble to the biggest snub of all in either league: San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr.
If the argument against Tatis is based on playing time, it can be justified because he missed more than one month with a strained left hamstring and has only played 48 games.
Even by that standard, though, there's no way to look at what Tatis has done when healthy and argue he isn't an All-Star. The 20-year-old would lead all MLB shortstops in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage if he had enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title.
Just as important as Tatis' stats is what he means to MLB. He was one of the two most hyped prospects in the sport coming into the season—Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays being the other—and showed so much during spring training that Manny Machado and Eric Hosmer convinced San Diego's ownership to put the young star on the Opening Day roster.
Tatis is the kind of rare talent MLB needs to showcase in a marketing event like the All-Star Game to help build its foundation for the future.
There will be many Midsummer Classic appearances waiting in the years to come, but this was a missed opportunity for Tatis to share the field with the sport's best players.
At long last, the full rosters for the 2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game have been revealed. Let's not waste any time getting all hot and bothered about it...
Boston Red Sox's Booming Bats Leading Charge into Wild-Card Race
Jun 25, 2019
BR Video
The bats are booming for the Boston Red Sox as they contend for a wild-card spot. Rafael Devers is their low-key MVP with the fifth-highest batting average in the American League.
Watch the video above for more about the Red Sox's surging offense.
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MLB All Star Voting 2019: Predicting Biggest Snubs for Summer Showcase
Jun 22, 2019
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 20: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals hits a home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the sixth inning at Nationals Park on June 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
MLB refined its All-Star Game voting process by adding a primary, the results of which confirmed Springfield anchorman Kent Brockman's view of democracy.
Friday night, MLB revealed the American League and National League finalists for each position. Players who won the first popularity contest will advance to the Starters Election, a 28-hour voting period that starts Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Although the final outcome could yield no egregious starters, some head-scratching candidates made the cut. Jose Altuve will vie for the AL's second-base seat despite returning from the injured list Wednesday. Houston Astros teammate Carlos Correa is still sidelined, but that didn't stop him from beating out a stacked group of shortstops.
Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs fans clearly stuffed the ballots. While both NL playoff contenders boast plenty of star power, the less impressive likes of Brian McCann, Josh Donaldson, Nick Markakis, Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr. and Jason Heyward also tagged along for the ride.
Before working up too much fury, some of the baffling snubs highlighted below are still likely to make the All-Star squad as reserves. It's not, however, guaranteed in each instance.
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 13: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting a go ahead solo home run during the seventh inning of a game against the Texas Rangers on June 13, 2019 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Bos
Confused as to how a legitimate AL MVP candidate—albeit in a world where Mike Trout gets bored and takes a summer sabbatical—from the Boston Red Sox didn't finish among the top-three AL shortstops? So is Xander Bogaerts.
Per WEEI's Rob Bradford, the 26-year-old expressed some displeasure of getting continually overlooked in the voting process before the final tally.
"It's just so weird," Bogaerts said Tuesday. "I just miss out when, in my opinion, I should have been there. I just feel like it's a routine. Every year, the same thing. It's kind of getting annoying. But I don't know what to do."
Courtesy of Sirius XM's MLB Network Radio, Red Sox manager Alex Cora also voiced his dismay following a voting update earlier in the week:
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) June 18, 2019
Bogaerts has continued his gradual ascent to superstardom by batting .299/.392/.535 with 14 home runs. As of Friday, he led all shortstops in WAR (3.5) while matching Jorge Polanco's position-leading .388 weighted on-base average (wOBA).
Polanco is a deserving All-Star who will hopefully beat out Correa and Gleyber Torres, who won't have a chance to beat up on Baltimore Orioles pitching in the Midsummer Classic. While Bogaerts should have little trouble making his second All-Star appearance as a reserve, he will face steep competition for the spot. Torres, Tim Anderson, Marcus Semien, Elvis Andrus and Francisco Lindor all belong in the conversation.
Given how much the national media pays attention to the Red Sox, it's bizarre to see their best player this season not get the recognition he deserves.
Anthony Rendon, 3B, Washington Nationals
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 21: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals hits an RBI single against the Atlanta Braves during the fifth inning at Nationals Park on June 21, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Anyone who voted for Donaldson over Anthony Rendon should be banned from the Starters Election and all future All-Star voting.
As the polls closed, the Washington Nationals third baseman boasted MLB's fourth-best wOBA (.427) behind Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger and Trout. Despite briefly sitting on the injured list with an elbow injury, his 3.2 WAR matches Nolan Arenado atop the NL hot corner in 13 fewer games.
His team's Twitter page launched a convincing campaign on the 29-year-old's behalf:
This disrespect is nothing new. Two years ago, Rendon finished third in the NL's final vote despite carrying a .307/.407/.552 slash line into the intermission. While he didn't heat up until the summer of 2018, his 15 homers still went unnoticed by the fans and his peers.
Rendon's unjust All-Star drought should still end. Based on the primary voting, Arenado will run away with a starting gig he has the qualifications to fill. One can only hope those around the game appreciate Rendon as the superstar he is, making him a lock to come off the bench.
If not, this entire event is a waste of time.
Matt Chapman, 3B, Oakland Athletics
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 18: Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics bats against the Baltimore Orioles in the bottom of the six inning of a Major League Baseball game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on June 18, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by The
While Matt Chapman is also a slick-fielding third baseman with 17 home runs and a keen batting eye, he has a higher risk of getting left out of the festivities altogether.
The 26-year-old is a demonstrably above-average hitter wielding a .363 wOBA. His .264 batting average, however, won't curry as much favor.
Behind probable (and deserving) starter Alex Bregman, Rafael Devers is hitting .310 with 12 homers and eight steals. Yoan Moncada has an on-base and slugging percentage right in line with Chapman's, but he's hitting .298. Although not much of a defensive wizard, Hunter Dozier was hitting a forceful .314/.398/.589 before returning from a side issue Friday night.
This could spell trouble for the unheralded Oakland Athletics star, who derives much of his value (3.0 WAR) on the diamond.
Chapman leads all AL third basemen in Defensive Runs Saved and Ultimate Zone Rating, ranking second overall in each category. These metrics are not universally accepted among fans and players, so he can't count on the reserve selections to deliver justice.
A tough exclusion with similar numbers last season, Chapman could finish 2019 with his second top-10 placement on the AL MVP ballot but no All-Star appearance.
Note: All advanced stats, updated as of Friday, are courtesy of FanGraphs.
Xander Bogaerts Is MLB's $120M Big-Market Superstar Who Is Somehow Still Ignored
He was only 16 years old when the Boston Red Sox signed him out of Aruba in 2009. He was one of baseball's top prospects soon after, and it was as a rookie in 2013 that he collected the first of his two World Series rings. His other accolades include an All-Star nod and two Silver Sluggers.
As of April 1, Bogaerts is also much richer than he used to be. He was ticketed for free agency after the 2019 season, yet he opted to sign a six-year, $120 million contract extension with the Red Sox.
Bogaerts, now 26, has wasted no time living up to his fresh fortune. Through his first 72 games of 2019, he's working on a career-best .928 OPS with 14 home runs. He's also racked up 3.0 wins above replacement, according to Baseball Reference. That's only 1.5 WAR short of his career high.
All that Bogaerts is missing, apparently, is a proper degree of respect.
Per the latest update, it's telling that Bogaerts ranked sixth among American League shortstops in All-Star voting. If he isn't within the top three when the primary round ends at 4 p.m. ET on Friday, he'll be shut out of consideration for the AL's starting shortstop gig.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who'll be skippering the AL All-Star squad, does not approve:
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) June 18, 2019
Neither does the man himself, who told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com the following:
"These past few years every time I've come up just short even though my numbers have been up there or better than most of the guys. It's just so weird. I just miss out when in my opinion I should have been there. I just feel like it's a routine, every year the same thing. It's kind of getting annoying. But I don't know what to do."
This is where Minnesota Twins fans and other admirers will come to the defense of Jorge Polanco.
He has a .930 OPS, and his 3.8 WAR puts him behind only the God of WAR, Mike Trout, among AL position players. His lead among his fellow AL shortstops in All-Star votes is therefore well-deserved.
Apart from Polanco, however, no other AL shortstop is on Bogaerts' level right now.
To clarify, we're talking about the Xander Bogaerts that is, not the Xander Bogaerts that used to be.
When Bogaerts first arrived in the majors in August 2013, he received billing as a shortstop who possessed rare offensive upside. His minor league numbers backed up the hype, as he'd hit .293 with 51 homers between 2011 and 2013.
But that was the only home run Bogaerts recorded as a rookie, and the hype for his 2014 season went unfulfilled as he hit only .240 with 12 homers. He increased his average to .320 in 2015, but with only seven long balls.
Bogaerts finally seemed to find his happy place in 2016, wherein he was elected to start at shortstop for the AL All-Star team en route to a .294 average and 21 homers. But then came another reality check in 2017 as he regressed to a .273 average and 10 homers.
Granted, the hand injury Bogaerts sustained midway through 2017 didn't do him any favors. That season nonetheless perpetuated a pattern of inconsistency that could be seen not only in Bogaerts' numbers but also in his general approach to hitting. Rather than aiming to be a good hitter with power, he often seemed caught between trying to be a good hitter or a good power hitter.
As of 2018, however, the Xander Bogaerts that is has taken over.
Whereas his former self had a tendency to widen the strike zone in search of hits, his current self isn't doing that anymore. In 2018, his swing rate outside the strike zone dipped below the MLB average for the first time since 2015, and it's gone even lower in 2019:
Not surprisingly, this hasn't done any harm to what was already a strong ability to make contact. It's equally unsurprising that Bogaerts' walk rate (13.7 percent) isn't far from catching up to his strikeout rate (17.9 percent).
In this way, Bogaerts has made himself a much tougher out for opposing pitchers. Yet they need to be careful about challenging him, as he's liable to do more than just slap the ball through a hole in the defense for a single.
Bogaerts has been hitting fewer ground balls since 2018 than he did between 2015 and 2017. To boot, he's also been putting more oomph into his fly balls and line drives:
Bogaerts is now essentially the player who was promised when he was coming up through the minor league ranks. He'd be a good hitter at any position. At shortstop, his .928 OPS comes out to a 140 OPS+ that places him behind only Polanco (147).
As for why none of this is translating into enthusiastic All-Star support, it could be because modern fans have more data than ever with which to judge players, and not all of it is kind to Bogaerts. To wit, his WAR is held back by defensive ratings that can charitably be described as "hit or miss."
It could also be because Bogaerts lacks a certain flair—not just in relation to high-profile Red Sox teammates such as Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez, but also in relation to other AL shortstops.
Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor have been fan favorites since their thrilling AL Rookie of the Year race back in 2015. In addition to Polanco, this season has also seen Gleyber Torres and Tim Anderson establish themselves as stars. The latter has done so with a sort of unapologetic swagger that's all too perfect for baseball's current zeitgeist.
Whatever the case, Bogaerts will need a late surge to have any hope of making the next round of All-Star voting. If not the starting gig itself, he at least deserves that much.
