By Joe Haggerty
CSNNE.com Bruins InsiderFollow @hackswithhaggs
SEATTLE --The ninth time appears to be the charm for Josh Reddick.
That's how many times the Red Sox outfielder has ridden the Lou Merloni Highway from Pawtucket to Boston. But the Georgia native is making it count this time, in every conceivable way.
Hes hitting with power. Hes performing in the clutch. Hes adjusting when pitchers begin to change their plan of attack against him. And hes been a playmaking factor defensively in right field, leading all American League rookies with five assists from the outfield.
I think hes really refined his approach at the plate. Hes having good at-bats, said teammate Jed Lowrie. Weve always known that he could swing it and he just continues to get better as a player.
While Reddick has clearly improved, hes also been the beneficiary of a little good fortune.
After getting largely passed over last season in favor of journeymen outfielders like Darnell McDonald and Jonathan Van Every, or because of the success stories of fellow rookies Ryan Kalish and Daniel Nava, Reddick got a shot this year when McDonald (in Boston) and Nava (in Pawtucket) started slowly, veteran Mike Cameron never got untracked and was eventually traded to Florida, and Kalish was injured.
So when the Sox needed outfield help in late May, Reddick stepped in. He had a three-hit game in his debut, never stopped producing offensively (his average hasn't dipped below .320 since he arrived in Boston) and, with J.D. Drew first struggling and now injured, has taken a loose grasp on the starting right field job. That grip got a little tighter Friday night when he hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning that proved to be the difference in the Red Sox' 6-4, series-opening victory over the Mariners at Safeco Park.
Boston Red Sox
The Sox had been trailing until Reddicks homer, which came off a 1-and-2 Blake Beavan fastball and carmoned off the right-field scoreboard faade directly below the Hit it Here Cafe windows, 393 feet from home plate.
There were more than a few admirers following the game.
That skinny little guy has got some good pop, said a smiling David Ortiz when asked what kind power Reddick has.
The home run snuffed out a 1-for-14 mini-slump Reddick had been mired in, and it also demonstrated the high end of his power potential. Reddick had been looking away with two strikes, but he still had quick enough hands to turn viciously on a low fastball over the heart of the plate.
It was a 1-and-2 fastball that got a little too much of the plate," said Reddick, 24. "Looking back on it, Beavan was trying to go inside and caught too much plate. He made a mistake and I didnt miss it. I think thats about all Ive got in my 185-pound frame right there.
He hasnt missed much during his 2011 audition. That will have to continue now that Drew's taking live batting practice and moving closer to a return from his left shoulder injury.
Certainly Drew will get a shot at some playing time, but it will be difficult for Terry Francona to sit Reddick if he continues raking at such a prodigious clip. Reddick leads all American League rookies in batting average (.322) and slugging percentage (.544), and sits second in on-base percentage (.371).
Its clear Reddick is bringing an energy and contagious enthusiasm that the Red Sox desperately need in the dog days of summer.
This seasons offensive accomplishments are a far cry from Reddicks previous output in Boston. He hit .182 with 3 home runs, 9 RBI, and a .539 OPS in 121 at-bats during brief stints with the team in 2009 and 2010. This year, those numbers are .322625.915 in 149 at-bats.
Thats a big difference.
Playing big-league baseball is always fun, said Reddick. Luckily Im on a first-place team right now and were contending. Any day playing baseball up here is a huge feeling for me and a childhood dream. So Im going to enjoy it as much as I can.
And hopefully for him, there'll be more to enjoy in the next three months.
Joe Haggerty can be reached at jhaggerty@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Joe on Twitter at http:twitter.comHackswithHaggs