Thursday, May 23, 2013
This 2012 version of the Red Sox is the worst in 20 years. With Sunday's loss to Toronto, Boston is 0-4 in its last four games, 1-11 in its last 12, and 4-16 in its last 20.
At 63-78, Boston is 15 games below .500 since the 1992 Red Sox (a team which fell to 18 games below .500 at one point - a mark this 2012 can certainly reach).
One bright side from the 1992 team: With such a bad finish, the Red Sox had the No. 7 pick in the first round of the 1993 draft. They chose a high school outfielder out of North Carolina named Trot Nixon.
In 2012, Boston is currently tied with Miami for the sixth worst record (see standings below). According to Baseball America's early rankings for the 2013 draft, the sixth-best player is college third baseman Kris Bryant from San Diego. Next is University of Florida pitcher Jonathon Crawford.
Then there is outfielder Clint Frazier from Loganville (H.S.), Ga.. Loganville High also produced Brandon Moss.
Interestingly, Frazier is the second best high school player in Baseball America's early rankings - behind another outfielder in Loganville, Austin Meadows, who attends Grayson High. (Think some scouts will be watching when Grayson plays Loganville this year?)
Without a team in contention, this is what Red Sox fans can do now - watch how far their team falls, in comparisons with the worst Boston teams, and watch how much it moves up the draft board.
Now the standings:
AL EAST
Yankees 79-61
Orioles 78-62 (1 back)
Rays 77-63 (2)
WILD CARD
A’s 79-60
Orioles 78-62
Rays 77-63 (1 back)
Angels 77-63 (1)
Tigers 73-66 (4.5)
FOR 2013 TOP DRAFT PICK
Astros 44-96
Cubs 54-86
Rockies 56-83
Twins 58-82
Indians 59-81
RED SOX 63-78
Marlins 63-78
Royals 63-77
Blue Jays 64-75
Mets 65-75
Padres 66-75
Seattle 67-74
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Kevin Thomas covers baseball and basketball for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He wisely moved to Maine in 1994 after working for the St. Petersburg Times. He is married to Nancy and they have nine children.
Follow his thoughts on the Boston Red Sox and Portland Sea Dogs on Clearing the Bases
Follow his thoughts on the Boston Celtics and Maine Red Claws on Holding Court
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