Flexible Flyers

Several versatile youngsters dominating Red Sox lineup

MLB. Versatility — it would seem — is the key for budding youngsters in the Red Sox organization.

There was a time within the Sox’ player development system when a hotshot prospect would simply linger at one position while advancing through the minor league system, but that time is seemingly long gone and hard to find when a player reaches the upper levels of the franchise.

“The emphasis on versatility really occurs at Triple-A, where guys are sort of at a finishing school for their development,” said Sox GM Theo Epstein, who also stressed that players are normally limited to a single position in the lower minors until they become acclimated to the rigors of pro ball. “They start to figure out how they can best get involved in the big league picture, and we emphasize that versatility can accelerate their impact.

“Someone like [Jacoby] Ellsbury gets to Triple-A and starts working out at all three outfield positions, because that’s what he was going to do when he got up here,” added Epstein. “[Jed] Lowrie, we told in spring training to be ready to play all the infield positions because you never know when your opportunity is going to come. Somebody like [Brandon] Moss has started playing first base along with the outfield, so somewhere down the road he’ll be able to fill that kind of role.”

Kevin Youkilis won a Gold Glove at first base last season, but has played sparkling defense at the hot corner over the last two weeks while stepping in for the injured Mike Lowell. Lowrie has already logged time at second base, shortstop and third base during his six-game stint with the Sox, and has been rock-steady at each spot around the infield.

“On this team when you have a lot of veterans that are going to play, being versatile is the key to making it as a young player,” said Lowrie. “Playing third, short and second is another arrow in my quiver, so to speak.”

Youk was a third baseman for the bulk of his time in the minors, but did play nearly 60 games at first base in the minor leagues and is considered well-above average defensively at both spots. Lowrie was an All-American second baseman at Stanford University, but worked at all three infield spots throughout the minor leagues and defied scouts’ expectations that he wouldn’t make it as a pro shortstop. And Ellsbury is obviously a center fielder by trade and skill-set, but the gifted outfielder has logged games at each outfield position both last season and this season.

Boston’s organizational mandate to play their talented youngsters at multiple defensive positions in the high minors has allowed them to gain comfort and confidence — and gives the organization some much-desired flexibility when inevitable injuries or tough roster decisions face the ballclub.    

“You can talk all you want about having versatile players, but it’s a credit to both their athletic ability and their aptitude that they can handle becoming versatile players,” said Epstein. “We can take an injury and try to turn it into an opportunity where it otherwise might be a problem. Injuries are always a problem, but if you can turn them into opportunities for your young players then it’s a good thing.”

Lowrie is — without question — the living, breathing embodiment of Boston’s “good thing” as the 24-year-old infielder has hit .375 with 5 RBI in five games while getting off to a successful start at all three infield positions (second base, shortstop and third base) around the horn.

“Being able to really work on some things defensively — so I could be comfortable out there — has been a huge help,” said Lowrie. “I was able to [maximize my versatility] last season in the minors and this year during spring training, both at shortstop and third base as well as at the plate.”