Napoli sees good things in Moreland
ARLINGTON, Texas — By now, Mitch Moreland’s name in the cleanup spot seems perfectly normal. Last night was his 30th game batting fourth for the Red Sox, and that’s been his regular role for more than a month now.
But if you go back just a few months, such a thing would have sounded relatively outrageous, or at least unusual.
Who would have expected such production from a guy who arrived in Boston known more for his glove than his bat?
“I’m not surprised,” Mike Napoli, who is back with the Texas Rangers this season for a third stint, said. “I mean, being around him, the way he works, the way he loves the game, great teammate, I’m not surprised at what he’s able to do. Sometimes chance of scenery helps out, but he’s always been a good ballplayer that everyone’s respected in our clubhouse. He’s a good ballplayer. A lot of power. He’s a good hitter. Sometimes people take time to develop and do their thing. I’ve always seen it in him to do that. I mean, he’s had good years here, so I’m not surprised at all.”
While most Red Sox fans are getting their first long look at Moreland this season, Napoli has known the first baseman for six years since they were first teammates with the Rangers. Napoli also knows what it takes to perform in Boston, having spent parts of three years with the Sox.
The free agent contract signed by Moreland last winter — one year, $5.5 million — might have seemed to be a stopgap measure at the time, with the Red Sox trying to make up for retired designated hitter David Ortiz’ lost offense by upgrading the infield defense and maybe running into some left-handed power now and then, but it’s been more like a perfect fit. Moreland, after going 2-for-4 in last night’s 11-4 win, is tied for second on the Red Sox in home runs (12) and tied for third in RBI (41), slugging percentage (.464) and doubles (18), and his easygoing manner has been a good fit in the Hub’s high-pressure atmosphere.
“It’s a good thing to have to go to Boston,” Napoli said. “He’s a real laid-back guy. He’s a good family guy. He loves the game, and I’m pretty sure he loves the atmosphere. It’s a pretty special place to play on a daily basis. It’s always packed and you’re expected to win and play the game the right way. And that’s him.”
Preseason plans to platoon Moreland with Hanley Ramirez at first base were all but scrapped once the campaign started. Sam Travis has come up from Triple A to platoon some, but Moreland has been pretty close to an everyday guy and has the fourthmost at-bats on the team.
For the past three weeks, he’s played through a mild fracture in his toe, but he has not asked for time off to deal with the soreness.
“We’ve come to know Mitch, (and) he is one tough SOB,” manager John Farrell said. “To deal with some of the things he’s dealt with physically. He’s come up big in RBI situations with his all-field approach. Things you begin to appreciate are probably more on a personal level and how he goes about his game every day as opposed to a glimpse of a five- or seven-day stretch (when he was playing with Texas).”
This is Moreland’s first season of pro ball outside of the Rangers organization, and with an OPS of .819 is on pace for his highest mark since an .833 during a 43-game rookie season in 2010.
“He’s going to do whatever he can to help the team win,” Napoli said. “I’m not surprised he’s been able to fit in that situation and been able to hold his own.”