Will Middlebrooks, the new face of the Red Sox


If you’re anything like me you’re always looking ahead to see what or where you’ll be in a year from now. I always felt I was tailor made for MLB management. In 2012 the Red Sox indulged my futuristic aptitude by providing us a look at the future of the Red Sox organization. What we witnessed was a silver lining in the midst of a disastrous and disappointing year.
That silver lining, the one that granted us a sneak peek into the Red Sox future, is none other than newly minted third baseman Will Middlebrooks. 

In 2007 Middlebrooks was drafted in the fifth round by the Red Sox and made his professional debut in 2008 with the Lowell Spinners. He worked his way through the organization's minor league system until May 2, 2012 when he was promoted to the major leagues. That same day Middlebrooks made his Red Sox debut starting at third base - Kevin Youkilis was placed on the disabled list.

The 24-year old third baseman had a breakout rookie season with the Red Sox in 2012. Unfortunately for Middlebrooks his success was overshadowed by fellow AL rookies Mike Trout and Yoenis Cespedes - Trout would eventually win the 2012 'Rookie of the Year' award by unanimous decision. 

Middlebrooks ended the 2012 season with 69 starts, .288 batting average, 34 runs, 15 home runs and 54 RBI.

The Red Sox have high hopes for the young infielder and in 2013 he’ll have a full season to showcase what he's capable of with the organization. All will be tuned in to see if Middlebrooks is truly the future of the Red Sox organization or just a recent memory.

In my opinion the future is bright in Beantown!

Follow Scott Levesque on Twitter at @scottlevesque.