Will Middlebrooks Struggles Left Over From Last Season

In the weeks leading up to opening day, Boston was projected for a season of mediocrity in the wake of a 2012 season marred by injury, poor play, and clubhouse disunity.

Amongst the many questions surrounding the Boston club heading into the season included whether newcomer third baseman Will Middlebrooks would build off of his success from last season.

While having a very respectable rookie campaign in 2012, in which he batted .288 with 15 home runs and 54 RBI in just 75 games, Middlebrooks appeared to be the Boston third baseman of the future with the mid-season departure of nine-year Boston veteran Kevin Youkilis.

Following Youkilis’ departure on June 24, Middlebrooks was named AL Player of the Week for that previous week. However, Middlebrooks would produce mediocre numbers over the course of the next month following the exit of Youkilis up until suffering a broken bone in his right hand on August 10 against the Cleveland Indians.

In that time span, while slugging a respectable 6 home runs with 20 RBI, Middlebrooks batted only .244 with 33 strikeouts in that 34 game stretch. The most alarming statistic over this period, however, would have to be a paltry .277 on-base percentage, something Middlebrooks has struggled with throughout much of this season.

Before heading to the DL on August 10, Middlebrooks had gone a 10 game stretch batting .194 with a .286 on-base percentage.

To say that Middlebrooks’ current woes are independent of last season’s performance is quite erroneous.

Middlebooks struggling in 2013

Middlebrooks impressed Boston on April 7 with his 3 home run performance against the Toronto Blue Jays; however, he has batted .174 with a .200 on-base percentage since that performance, posting season numbers of 6 home runs, 13 RBI while batting .200 with a .231 on-base percentage.

His .231 on-base percentage is second worst in the American League, behind the dismal .182 on-base percentage belonging to Chicago White Sox second baseman Jeff Keppinger. In addition, Middlebrooks’ OPS of .624 ranks last amongst all Boston starters, while ranking twelfth worst in the AL.

Middlebrooks continues to insist that his approach and routine are not what is affecting his inconsistent play this season, but rather a mental slump that he needs to climb out of on his own time.

With all of the hype surrounding Middlebrooks in the months leading up to the 2013 season, the current slump that he finds himself mired in may be an issue of confidence, or “sophomore slump” syndrome.

Perhaps a demotion to Triple-A Pawtucket may serve as a remedy for the struggling Middlebrooks, wherein he could gain an increased level of confidence for the majors. In the meantime for the Red Sox, utilityman Pedro Ciriaco could be placed at third base, giving Ciriaco a good opportunity to gain further big league experience.