Previewing Center Field

The outfield is a deep position for Boston this season. Last year injuries around the outfield caused many problems for Boston with every outfielder on the opening day roster missing significant time at some point in the season. This year health highlights the depth along with a new right fielder who will show some significat power in the lineup.

For the purpose of our previews center field will consist of Coco Crisp and Wily Mo Pena. Pena will serve as a backup across the outfield seeing significat playing time and should Crisp struggle extensively Pena gives Boston a great full time replacement.

Bill James has some decent projections for these two players starting with Crisp. James has Crisp projected for a .284/.337/.419 season with 11 HR, 54 RBI, 30 doubles and 23 steals.

Pena's projections are eye popping for a backup, they are, .277 average with 23 HR, 68 RBI and 57 runs. James projects Pena to strikout 127 times.

As for PECOTA, I only have Crisp numbers and they are, .310/.361/.452 with 13 HR, 63 RBI, 27 doubles and 21 steals.

My predictions are;

Crisp: .285 with 11 HR, 58 RBI, 28 doubles and 34 steals.
Pena: .299 with 28 HR, 79 RBI and 22 doubles.