Middlebrooks the pitcher
On Comcast SportsNet’s “The Baseball Show” on Saturday, host Bob Neumeier said that Will Middlebrooks was drafted as a pitcher.
I asked Middlebrooks before Saturday’s game if that piece of info was true or not.
He said he was drafted as a shortstop.
“Teams looked at me as a pitcher,” said Middlebrooks, who added his fastball topped out at about 97 mph in high school and probably sat 91-95 mph.
Middlebrooks threw a curveball and developed a change-up his final year of high school. “I didn’t want to pitch and I don’t miss my arm being sore,” Middlebrooks said. “That’s the biggest thing.”
Here are three other interesting notes from Middlebrooks:
1. Middlebrooks said he and Red Sox minor league pitcher Drake Britton were going to be roommates at Texas A&M before both elected to sign with the Red Sox out of high school in 2007.
2. As you might know, while growing up in Texas, Middlebrooks was good friends with now-Patriots backup quarterback Ryan Mallett. Middlebrooks said he was at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 20 to see the Patriots play the Philadelphia Eagles.
3. Middlebrooks made an interesting comment when told one of the points made in Red Sox 19-year-old prospect Xander Bogaerts’ scouting report is that Bogaerts needs to do a better job of recognizing pitches. “That just comes with reps and experience,” Middlebrooks said. “Everyone said the same thing about me. I don’t walk. I’m not going to get on and steal bags. So I’m going to take my swings and if I miss, I’m going to strike out. I’m not up there to walk.”
PawSox in
Governors’ Cup final
@text1_r:
While the Boston Red Sox entered yesterday in sole possession of last place in the AL East, the Pawtucket Red Sox are preparing to play Charlotte in the finals of the Governors’ Cup, the International League playoffs.
It’s a five-game series with the first two games being played at Pawtucket. Game 1 will be played tonight at 7:05 p.m. Game 2 will be Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.
-Compiled
by Christopher Smith
