Red Sox Preview - Designated Hitter

Team: Boston Red Sox
Position: Designated Hitter
Primary player and backup(s): David Ortiz

HITTING - David Ortiz has quickly become one of the most feared hitters and best offensive producers in all of MLB. Over the last 3 seasons Ortiz has hit over 30 HRs and knocked in atleast 100 RBIs. The last 2 seasons alone he's combined for 88 HRs, 213 Rs, and an eye-popping 287 RBIs. Although his power numbers drop against lefties, what some say he struggles with, he still hit .302 against them last year. With 8 HRs, 32 RBIs and a .301 batting average in the postseason, nevermind the countless game winning or tying hits and homers, Ortiz is no slouch in the pressure situations either. With only being 30 and no day-to-day fielding responsibilities to wear him down, one can only expect his numbers to stay among the elite in the league. One thing to pay attention to though, Ortiz has finished in the top ten in strikeouts the last 2 years. Regardless, A+.

FIELDING - With Snow and Youkilis already at first, I would expect to see little or none of Ortiz there (except for some interleague games). Although he isn't horrible with his glove, it is his lack of mobility and range that will always keep him from being an everyday first baseman. Really though, they don't need him there. D+

BASE RUNNING - Although Ortiz is below average in the speed department ( 1 SB in the last 3 years) he is a heads-up base runner who picks the right time to try and stretch an extra base hit (87 doubles and 4 triples the last 2 seasons). He's not a burner, but he'll rarely get doubled up on a liner or thrown out trying to stretch a play that just isn't there. C-

DEPTH - I'm really not sure about depth here, but I don't think it's a big worry when Ortiz has played in atleast 150 games the last two years. I'm sure that Snow, Youkilis or Graffanino could fill in, but it'd be a huge drop off from a production stand point. If the Sox have any chance at winning another World Series ring, they need Pappi in the lineup. C-

INTANGIBLES - Pappi just gets it done in big situations. From 2003-2005 in only 221 AB in late inning close games, Ortiz has hit .326 with 22 HRs and 73 RBIs. The man thrives under the spotlight. There is no player that any team would rather have up in the ninth inning when trailing more than David Ortiz. He has also slowly become a team leader and the face of this franchise. You can honestly say that without Ortiz, Boston is no where near as good of a team. A+

OVERALL - Forget the glove, the base running, or the depth, the Red Sox have the elite DH in the game right now and I don't see that changing anytime soon (unless somehow the Boston front office screws it up). Don't be suprised if Ortiz leads the league in another category this year, intentional walks or walks overall. He is a true force in the game and deservedly he get an A+ from me.