FORT MYERS, Fla.Although the Red Sox sent him to play right field for Leones de Ponce of the Puerto Rico Baseball League this offseason, becoming more familiar with that position in case he was needed there, Mike Aviles has yet to play anywhere other than shortstop this spring.
With todays split-squad games, Aviles will be the starting shortstop at home against the Phillies, his 13th Grapefruit League start at the position. Bench coach Tim Bogar, who is also the infield coach, has worked with Aviles since he was acquired from the Royals at the trading deadline last season.
Well, Mike, when he came over here last year we worked on a lot of things, said Bogar. A lot of it was just getting used to playing the position again. He had told me that he played a lot at Kansas City when he had gone back to Triple A. So when he got over here, there were some mechanical things he needed to clean up with his feet. It all kind of worked together, and he improved a lot by the end of the year last year.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Boston sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
So this spring when he came in, I think his attitude because of Marco Scutaro getting traded and all that and his attitude toward the position has been great. Hes been working extremely hard at it. Very open to suggestions. What Ive seen has been nothing but positive. Hes made all the plays. He knows where hes supposed to be. I think hes comfortable with Dustin Pedroia at second base. And I think the pitchers are comfortable having him playing behind them.
He makes adjustments really quick. One of the things he does well was his backhand. He had a little bit of a mechanical issue there and he cleaned it up. And he just applied it again this spring, after you refresh it with him, and hes had no issues with it.
Aviles has noted improved arm strength this spring.
I think it has a lot to do with his footwork, Bogar said. And when he cleaned up his footwork, his armhis arms strong to begin with but he didnt have to rely on it. And when you use your feet right to get your momentum going to where youre trying to throw, his arm plays up.