Like the Sox Drew it up
MLB. After more than a few false starts and failed expectations this year, it looks as if J.D. Drew’s season is officially underway.
The Sox right fielder battled through family health issues, some serious fan hostility and unprecedented struggles on the field during his first season in Boston, but the 31-year-old finally appears centered and settled in the middle of Boston’s lineup.
Drew is hitting a blistering .323 in September, to go along with a .443 on-base percentage, .565 slugging percentage and 1.008 OPS — the kind of numbers that Sox observers believed would happen like clockwork from April forward.
“It’s been very encouraging,” said Sox third baseman Mike Lowell. “He can give us a big lift in the postseason. He allows us to have great balance in the lineup with David (Ortiz) a lefty, Manny (Ramirez) a righty, myself righty and him lefty. And, that gives us an advantage because a team will have to burn three pitchers in certain situations.
“He’s really put together some good swings. A lot of times, I measure how a guy is hitting by how they’re making outs. When you make those outs where it’s a hard ground ball or a it’s a fly ball that you’ve struck well, instead of those roll-overs to the infield or pop-ups … I think there’s a difference. He’s really seeing the ball well right now, and he can really help us.”
Drew’s suddenly power-packed lumber brings depth and danger to a Boston lineup that could have utilized both all season, but those who knew the gifted outfielder prior to signing with the Sox believe the real Drew is just starting to reveal himself.
With the health of his only son, Jack, no longer in question, and things clearly again focused between the white lines of the baseball field, Drew’s resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time.
It hasn’t just been limited to batting average or on-base percentage, however, as the lefty has started leaving the yard with more regularity. After going through a career-worst 51-game, 166-at-bat homerless streak this season, Drew has smacked four homers in his last 25 games and started vaguely resembling the guy who smashed 31 home runs with the Braves in 2004 and knocked in 100 runs for the Dodgers last season.
“He seems a little more comfortable at the plate, and he’s really throwing his hands where he wants to throw them with good bat speed right now,” said Sox righty Mike Timlin, who played with Drew on the Cardinals from 2000-02. “He had some things going on off the field, and that can really weigh on a guy sometimes. He’s certainly doing some stuff at the right time for us.
“I’ve seen him [in the past] with a lot of speed, a great arm and a guy that can hit some long home runs when we played together in St. Louis. And he seems to be returning to that form.”