Sox won’t lack the Will
Middlebrooks ready to go
The emergence of Will Middlebrooks as the Red Sox’ third baseman for the foreseeable future was just about the brightest story of a dismal 2012 season. So as Middlebrooks prepares for his sophomore season curtain call, he’s been speaking with some of his more experienced teammates to get a feel for what to expect.
Based on those conversations, Middlebrooks sounded inspired to hear how hungry the team will be to get back to a winning tradition he has yet to encounter.
“Everyone I’ve talked to is beyond ready to get started,” Middlebrooks said yesterday at the Kid Nation Winterfest at Fenway Park. “It’s hard for me to speak on this because I wasn’t here when the team was winning World Series and doing well — I was watching them on TV just like you guys — but I know all those guys who have been there and who have won, that’s not a normal year for those guys. They’re just ready to get back and prove themselves.”
And Middlebrooks is as anxious as anyone on the team to resume his career. A broken right wrist, courtesy of a pitch from Cleveland’s Esmil Rogers on Aug. 10, cut short his rookie season. He was taking batting practice at Yankee Stadium by the end of the regular season, and his rehab continued without a hitch.
“I’ve had a pretty normal offseason of workouts and I’ve started hitting again already,” said Middlebrooks. “I’ve started hitting already off some guys throwing BP and it felt normal to me, so I’m excited to see how it goes against live pitching.”
As Middlebrooks gauges his progress at the plate in Fort Myers, he will do so knowing he is not fighting for a job on the big league team. That does not allow for complacency, however.
“I’m going to go in like I’m fighting for a position because, for one thing, I haven’t played since August, and I need to get ready and get back in game form,” said Middlebrooks.
A year ago, Middlebrooks was in spring training to soak in the experience before returning to the minors. A month into the season, he was called up and he stayed up, and the opportunity that provides this time around is a huge one.
“Coming in this year, to it being my position, it’s completely different,” he said, “but at the same time, it’s a confidence builder and you come in knowing, ‘All right, I know what to expect, I know what I need to do to keep (getting) better and keep learning from the guys I’m surrounded by.’ ”
Middlebrooks singled out his defense as an area in which he can improve.
“I feel like I can hit, I feel like I can produce offensively, but I want to be solid on defense and be able to help our pitchers out as much as I can,” he said.
Pumping iron
Middlebrooks has been working out at the same Dallas-area gym as Mike Napoli. Also nearby? John Lackey, who’s been working out in nearby Fort Worth and who accompanied Middlebrooks to a couple of Dallas Cowboys games.
“You’re not even going to recognize him,” Middlebrooks said. “He’s in the best shape I’ve ever seen him in.” . . .
Middlebrooks said outfielder Ryan Kalish took the news hard that he will require right shoulder surgery and will miss the beginning of this season.
“He’s pretty down about it,” Middlebrooks said. “I’ve worked out with him a few times here. He’s been working hard to get ready for the season and fight for a position, and to get news like that is pretty tough.”