Many people chose to ignore that Bradley Jr. was basically inept during his time in the Major Leagues last year and instead opted to focus on his range in centerfield and speed on the basepaths. That’s why when the Red Sox signed ex-Cleveland Indian Grady Sizemore to an incentive-laden contract, it was basically viewed as Boston giving a player who hadn’t played in the majors since Sept. 2011 a final chance to prove he had nothing left.
That hasn’t happened.
Bradley Jr. has really struggled this spring and was hitting .185 (5-for-28) through March 13 with only a triple and double to his credit. Strikeouts are still a problem (seven) and he’s not walking enough (only three) to offset his poor average. On the other hand, Sizemore started off the spring 3-for-8 and has handled himself well ever since, despite not being able to play in back-to-back games early on (he can now).
To be clear, Sizemore hasn’t exactly dazzled, but he has substantially outplayed Bradley and could very well find himself hitting leadoff for the Red Sox on Opening Day. He has spent most of his career hitting out of the one-hole and has done well in that spot in the lineup thus far this spring, at least his teammates think so.
“He looks pretty darn good to me,” said Shane Victorino, another player who could potentially hit leadoff for the Sox. “As I told him before, four or five years ago, I looked up to you as a center fielder, to want to do what you did in center field. It’s obviously there; it’s just a matter of him physically feeling good about his body and going out there every day and doing it.”
If, and it’s still a big if, Sizemore wins the job, he should immediately be moved to the top of fantasy sleeper lists across the nation. It may seem like a while ago, but this was a guy who used to grace the cover of SI and has a 30 homerun/30 steal season to his credit (2008). He’s also no slouch in the field (two-time Gold Glover), so there’s no reason that his defensive ability, or lack thereof, will lead to him riding the pine for Red Sox manager John Farrell.
A career .269 hitter, Sizemore averaged 28 home runs and 83 RBI per 162 games played from 2005-08 before the injuries started to set in and he was basically healthy. With those power numbers and the potential to chip in with some steals (four seasons of 20-plus; two seasons of 30-plus), Sizemore could certainly be an asset in fantasy.
“The fact that Grady is having encouraging signs in spring training is not a bad thing for Jackie Bradley or anybody,” Farrell said earlier this week. “It means that we’ve got another good player here. We feel strongly that one of the main reasons that we were successful last year was a talented and deep roster. Grady gives us the potential to build another talented and deep roster.”
He’s clearly not tipping his hand about who the favorite is for the job, but the vibe from most of the people who cover Red Sox Nation is that the gig will end up as Sizemore’s. If that does end up being the case, he’s well worth a late draft pick and could be someone to reach a round for in leagues with a DL slot.
As long as Sizemore is healthy enough to start for the Sox, his upside makes him well worth stashing, if not starting, in most fantasy leagues.
Evan Bleier is a freelance writer based out of wherever he can plug in his laptop. You can send him questions, comments and Buffalo wing suggestions @itishowitis or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook
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