
NEWS & ADVICE
DRAFT PREP
29-Year-Old Outfielder – Boston Red Sox
2013 Stats
AVG
.246
HR
1
RBI
14
R
24
SB
13
2013 Fantasy Baseball Outlook
Ellsbury had another injury-plagued season in 2012 as he missed three months due to a shoulder injury. He hit just four home runs with a .693 OPS in the second half after he returned as he never seeme...
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Jacoby Ellsbury Contract Information:
Agreed to a one-year, $9 million contract with the Red Sox in January of 2013.
May 19, 2013 – Jacoby Ellsbury News
RotoWire Fantasy Analysis
Ellsbury is out of the Red Sox lineup Sunday at Minnesota, the Boston Globe reports.
To instantly reveal our fantasy analysis of every player – including Jacoby Ellsbury – simply subscribe now.
| Year | Age | Lg | Tm | G | PA | AB | R | H | XBH | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | SH | SF | HBP | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 22 | A | A | 61 | 269 | 244 | 35 | 73 | 16 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 32 | 25 | 9 | 25 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .299 | .379 | .418 | .797 |
| 2006 | 22 | AA | POR | 50 | 225 | 198 | 29 | 61 | 16 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 16 | 8 | 24 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .308 | .387 | .434 | .821 |
| 2007 | 23 | AA | POR | 17 | 83 | 73 | 16 | 33 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .452 | .518 | .644 | 1.162 |
| 2007 | 23 | AAA | PAW | 87 | 401 | 363 | 66 | 108 | 21 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 28 | 33 | 6 | 32 | 47 | 1 | 1 | 4 | .298 | .360 | .380 | .740 |
| 2007 | 23 | MAJ | BOS | 33 | 127 | 116 | 20 | 41 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .353 | .394 | .509 | .902 |
| 2008 | 24 | MAJ | BOS | 145 | 609 | 554 | 98 | 155 | 38 | 22 | 7 | 9 | 47 | 50 | 11 | 41 | 80 | 4 | 3 | 7 | .280 | .336 | .394 | .729 |
| 2009 | 25 | MAJ | BOS | 153 | 691 | 624 | 94 | 188 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 8 | 60 | 70 | 12 | 49 | 74 | 6 | 6 | 6 | .301 | .355 | .415 | .770 |
| 2010 | 26 | R | Gul | 3 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 | .400 | .250 | .650 |
| 2010 | 26 | AA | Por | 2 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .429 | .500 | .571 | 1.071 |
| 2010 | 26 | AAA | Paw | 4 | 18 | 17 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .471 | .500 | .529 | 1.029 |
| 2010 | 26 | MAJ | BOS | 18 | 83 | 78 | 10 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .192 | .241 | .244 | .485 |
| 2011 | 27 | MAJ | BOS | 158 | 729 | 660 | 119 | 212 | 83 | 46 | 5 | 32 | 105 | 39 | 15 | 52 | 98 | 3 | 5 | 9 | .321 | .376 | .552 | .928 |
| 2012 | 28 | R | Gul | 4 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .200 | .429 | .600 | 1.029 |
| 2012 | 28 | AA | Por | 2 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .222 | .222 | .333 | .555 |
| 2012 | 28 | AAA | Paw | 2 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .125 | .125 | .125 | .250 |
| 2012 | 28 | MAJ | BOS | 74 | 323 | 303 | 43 | 82 | 22 | 18 | 0 | 4 | 26 | 14 | 3 | 19 | 43 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .271 | .313 | .370 | .683 |
| 2013 | 29 | MAJ | BOS | 43 | 204 | 187 | 24 | 46 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 13 | 2 | 16 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .246 | .309 | .342 | .651 |
| AccuScore ROS Projections | MAJ | Subscribe now to see the 2013 Rest Of Season AccuScore projections for Jacoby Ellsbury | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 RotoWire Projections | MAJ | Subscribe now to see our 2013 projections for Jacoby Ellsbury | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3-Year Averages | MAJ | 83 | 378 | 347 | 57 | 103 | 35 | 22 | 1 | 12 | 45 | 20 | 6 | 25 | 50 | 1 | 2 | 3 | .297 | .347 | .470 | .817 | ||
| Career (View All) | MAJ | 624 | 2766 | 2522 | 408 | 739 | 215 | 131 | 27 | 57 | 275 | 202 | 44 | 189 | 344 | 13 | 17 | 25 | .293 | .346 | .434 | .780 | ||
Age is determined on July 1st of each season. Jump To: ▼ Advanced Stats ▼ Batter vs. Pitcher Stats ▼ Games By Position
No No No| DATE | OPP | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | CS | HBP | SF | E | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May. 20 | @CWS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .241 | .303 | .335 | .638 |
| May. 19 | @Min | Did not play. | |||||||||||||||||
| May. 18 | @Min | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .246 | .309 | .342 | .651 |
| May. 17 | @Min | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .247 | .312 | .346 | .658 |
| May. 16 | @TB | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .249 | .314 | .350 | .664 |
| May. 15 | @TB | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .256 | .323 | .360 | .683 |
| May. 14 | @TB | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .256 | .321 | .363 | .684 |
| May. 12 | Tor | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .257 | .311 | .365 | .676 |
| May. 11 | Tor | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .259 | .314 | .370 | .684 |
| May. 10 | Tor | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .261 | .318 | .363 | .681 |
| May. 9 | Min | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .263 | .321 | .368 | .689 |
| May. 8 | Min | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .270 | .325 | .378 | .703 |
| May. 7 | Min | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .278 | .329 | .389 | .718 |
| May. 6 | Min | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .277 | .325 | .390 | .715 |
| May. 5 | @Tex | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .279 | .329 | .390 | .719 |
| May. 4 | @Tex | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .290 | .340 | .405 | .745 |
| May. 3 | @Tex | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .286 | .338 | .405 | .743 |
| May. 2 | @Tor | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .279 | .333 | .402 | .735 |
| May. 1 | @Tor | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .280 | .331 | .407 | .738 |
| Apr. 30 | @Tor | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .283 | .336 | .416 | .752 |
| Apr. 28 | Hou | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .273 | .316 | .409 | .725 |
| Apr. 27 | Hou | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .283 | .327 | .425 | .752 |
| Apr. 26 | Hou | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .287 | .333 | .436 | .769 |
| Apr. 25 | Hou | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .281 | .330 | .438 | .768 |
| Apr. 24 | Oak | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .286 | .337 | .440 | .777 |
| Apr. 23 | Oak | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .287 | .333 | .448 | .781 |
| Apr. 22 | Oak | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .294 | .333 | .459 | .792 |
| Apr. 21 | KC | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .293 | .318 | .451 | .769 |
| Apr. 21 | KC | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .282 | .300 | .436 | .736 |
| Apr. 20 | KC | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .284 | .303 | .446 | .749 |
| Last 7 Days | 24 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .125 | .250 | .125 | .375 | |
| Last 14 Days | 55 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .145 | .242 | .200 | .442 | |
| Last 30 Days | 121 | 11 | 26 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 16 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .215 | .301 | .264 | .565 | |
| Today's Game AccuScore Projection |
CWS | Subscribe now to see AccuScore's projected stats for Jacoby Ellsbury for today's game. | |||||||||||||||||
| Next 7 Days AccuScore Projection |
– | Subscribe now to see AccuScore's projected stats for Jacoby Ellsbury over the next seven days. | |||||||||||||||||
Jacoby Ellsbury: MLB Games Played By Position
| Year | C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | LF | CF | RF | DH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | – | – | – | – | – | 44 | – | 44 | – | – |
| 2012 | – | – | – | – | – | 73 | – | 73 | – | 1 |
| 2011 | – | – | – | – | – | 154 | – | 154 | – | 3 |
| 2010 | – | – | – | – | – | 18 | 6 | 13 | – | – |
| 2009 | – | – | – | – | – | 153 | – | 153 | – | – |
Jump To: ▲ Basic Stats ▲ Split Stats ▼ Advanced Stats
Jacoby Ellsbury Split Stats (View Full Split Stats)
Vs. Left
| Year | AB | R | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 73 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 4 | .233 | .274 | .565 |
| 2012 | 106 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 5 | .292 | .330 | .648 |
| 2011 | 197 | 36 | 6 | 22 | 11 | .284 | .492 | .841 |
Vs. Right
| Year | AB | R | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 114 | 16 | 1 | 12 | 9 | .254 | .386 | .706 |
| 2012 | 197 | 31 | 4 | 21 | 9 | .259 | .391 | .701 |
| 2011 | 463 | 83 | 26 | 83 | 28 | .337 | .577 | .965 |
Home
| Year | AB | R | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 97 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 5 | .206 | .309 | .576 |
| 2012 | 124 | 22 | 3 | 15 | 7 | .315 | .468 | .801 |
| 2011 | 331 | 58 | 15 | 61 | 19 | .326 | .571 | .945 |
Away
| Year | AB | R | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 90 | 13 | 1 | 10 | 8 | .289 | .378 | .731 |
| 2012 | 179 | 21 | 1 | 11 | 7 | .240 | .302 | .601 |
| 2011 | 329 | 61 | 17 | 44 | 20 | .316 | .532 | .910 |
| Year | Age | Lg | Tm | PA | AB | Walk Rate | Strikeout Rate | BB/K Ratio | Contact Rate | BABIP | Isolated Power | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 22 | A | A | 269 | 244 | 9.3% | 10.4% | 0.89 | 89% | .325 | .119 | |
| 2006 | 22 | AA | POR | 225 | 198 | 10.7% | 11.1% | 0.96 | 87% | .341 | .126 | |
| 2007 | 23 | AA | POR | 83 | 73 | 7.2% | 8.4% | 0.86 | 90% | .500 | .192 | |
| 2007 | 23 | AAA | PAW | 401 | 363 | 8% | 11.7% | 0.68 | 87% | .338 | .082 | |
| 2007 | 23 | MAJ | BOS | 127 | 116 | 6.3% | 11.8% | 0.53 | 87% | .388 | .156 | |
| 2008 | 24 | MAJ | BOS | 609 | 554 | 6.7% | 13.1% | 0.51 | 86% | .314 | .114 | |
| 2009 | 25 | MAJ | BOS | 691 | 624 | 7.1% | 10.7% | 0.66 | 88% | .332 | .114 | |
| 2010 | 26 | R | Gul | 10 | 8 | 20% | 0% | 0.00 | 100% | .250 | .000 | |
| 2010 | 26 | AA | Por | 8 | 7 | 12.5% | 0% | 0.00 | 100% | .429 | .142 | |
| 2010 | 26 | AAA | Paw | 18 | 17 | 5.6% | 0% | 0.00 | 100% | .471 | .058 | |
| 2010 | 26 | MAJ | BOS | 83 | 78 | 4.8% | 10.8% | 0.44 | 88% | .217 | .052 | |
| 2011 | 27 | MAJ | BOS | 729 | 660 | 7.1% | 13.4% | 0.53 | 85% | .340 | .231 | |
| 2012 | 28 | R | Gul | 14 | 10 | 28.6% | 21.4% | 1.33 | 70% | .167 | .400 | |
| 2012 | 28 | AA | Por | 9 | 9 | 0% | 11.1% | 0.00 | 89% | .250 | .111 | |
| 2012 | 28 | AAA | Paw | 8 | 8 | 0% | 12.5% | 0.00 | 88% | .143 | .000 | |
| 2012 | 28 | MAJ | BOS | 323 | 303 | 5.9% | 13.3% | 0.44 | 86% | .305 | .099 | |
| 2013 | 29 | MAJ | BOS | 204 | 187 | 7.8% | 12.3% | 0.64 | 87% | .280 | .096 | |
| 2013 Projections | MAJ | Subscribe now to see our 2013 projections for Jacoby Ellsbury | ||||||||||
| 3-Year Averages | MAJ | 378 | 347 | 6.6% | 13.2% | 0.50 | 86% | .319 | .173 | |||
| Career | MAJ | 2766 | 2522 | 6.8% | 12.4% | 0.55 | 86% | .322 | .141 | |||
Age is determined on July 1st of each season. Jump To: ▲ Basic Stats ▲ Split Stats ▼ Batter vs. Pitcher Stats ▲ Games By Position
No No2013 Stat Review for Jacoby Ellsbury As compared to the top 350 hitters in 2012 (min 200 PA)
Good contact skills often lead to better fantasy stats.
Explain This
SLG and ISO are useful indicators of power.
Explain This
Patience at the plate often leads to positive outcomes.
Explain This
A couple of useful stats for evaluating a hitter.
Explain This
2013 Projected Stats Breakdown for Jacoby Ellsbury
2013 projections compared to top 300 hitters in 2012 (min 250 PA)
2013 projections compared to top outfielders in 2012 (min 250 PA)
Boston Red Sox Roster
Majors
Bailey, Andrew (P)AAA
Aceves, Alfredo (P)AA
Almanzar, Michael (3B)A+
Cecchini, Garin (3B)A
Rookie
Almonte, Jose (P)Career Batter vs. Pitcher Stats (View All Matchup Data)
Best Matchups for Jacoby Ellsbury (by OPS, min 7 AB)
| Batter | Team | AB | H | HR | RBI | BB | K | SB | AVG | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rick Porcello | DET | 7 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .857 | 1.429 | 2.304 |
| Scott Richmond | TEX | 7 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .714 | 1.429 | 2.229 |
| Jason Berken | CHI-A | 10 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | .700 | 1.100 | 1.900 |
| Chris Jakubauskas | MIL | 8 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .625 | 1.125 | 1.750 |
| Shawn Camp | CHI-N | 9 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .667 | .889 | 1.589 |
| Brandon Morrow | TOR | 18 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .444 | 1.111 | 1.585 |
| Alfredo Aceves | BOS | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .875 | 1.375 |
| Bruce Chen | KC | 7 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .429 | .857 | 1.357 |
| Boone Logan | NY-A | 10 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .500 | .800 | 1.300 |
| Zach Britton | BAL | 8 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .375 | .875 | 1.250 |
Worst Matchups for Jacoby Ellsbury (by OPS, min 7 AB)
| Batter | Team | AB | H | HR | RBI | BB | K | SB | AVG | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Hellickson | TB | 17 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | .176 | .176 | .399 |
| Wade Davis | KC | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .182 | .182 | .364 |
| Mariano Rivera | NY-A | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | .100 | .100 | .350 |
| Jon Garland | COL | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .143 | .143 | .286 |
| Zach Miner | PHI | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .143 | .143 | .286 |
| Josh Tomlin | CLE | 11 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .091 | .182 | .273 |
| Cliff Lee | PHI | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .083 | .167 | .250 |
| Joba Chamberlain | NY-A | 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | .083 | .083 | .237 |
| Phil Coke | DET | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | .111 | .111 | .222 |
| Brett Anderson | OAK | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .083 |
Note: Stats are from 2002 through the 2012 season. Jump To: ▲ Basic Stats ▲ Split Stats ▲ Advanced Stats ▲ Games By Position
Jacoby Ellsbury: Past News Updates ( ▲ View most recent update )
5/18/2013
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5/16/2013
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4/26/2013
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4/25/2013
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4/13/2013
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4/6/2013
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4/1/2013
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3/31/2013
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3/27/2013
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3/26/2013
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3/25/2013
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2013
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2012
Ellsbury turned in an MVP-caliber season for Boston in 2011, finishing second in MVP balloting to a pitcher, winning his first Silver Slugger award and his first Gold Glove. He's setting himself up for a monstrous payday next offseason. We've seen hints at good multi-skill productivity from Ellsbury, but reaching 30 homers was not part of the forecast, at least not for 2011. Ellsbury will return to same role he held last season as Boston's starting center fielder and leadoff hitter.
2011
Ellsbury got hurt early on in 2010, suffering broken ribs after colliding with teammate Adrian Beltre and didn't play an important role in Boston's season. His recovery was slower than expected, and then we learned the Ellsbury's injury was more serious than originally diagnosed by the team's medical staff. That led Ellsbury (at the behest of agent Scott Boras) to seek second opinions and rehabilitation away from the team. It also led to a disconnect to some extent between the player and the team. Whatever the relationship between the two sides, it looks like Ellsbury is on schedule for offseason workouts and he'll return as Boston's leadoff hitter and center fielder in 2011.
2010
Ellsbury's on-base percentage may be less than desirable for the modern era's idea of a leadoff hitter, but there's no doubting he can be a disruptive presence atop the batting order. Ellsbury stole a franchise-high 70 bases last year while improving his theft success rate to 85.4 percent. After getting dropped from the leadoff spot in May, Ellsbury eventually returned to the top spot in the order and posted a .355 OBP -- not great, but something Boston can live with. As he matures as a hitter, and with the organization's fascination with plate patience, we expect Ellsbury to improve that part of his game. He often plays through minor injuries and should get plenty of plate appearances in 2010.
2009
Ellsbury slumped badly in the middle of the season and was dropped in the batting order as a result, but finished with a strong September. His superior speed and good defensive ability didn't slump, but he seemingly forgot how to take a walk after May. A wrist and tailbone injury may have played a role in his mid-season funk. He'll need to be consistent because Boston traded away Coco Crisp and presently doesn't have a suitable center field backup. As such, Ellsbury will begin the season as the starting center fielder and most likely the club's leadoff man.
2008
Ellsbury lit a fire for the Red Sox in September and October, appearing to have won the starting center field job from Coco Crisp. His defensive skills are top notch, and he's a game changer atop the batting order. Whether he'll be batting leadoff in Boston or Minnesota is the big offseason question. His name is front and center in the Johan Santana trade talks. A good baserunner who knows how to get on base, Ellsbury is ready to blossom in 2008.
2007
Ellsbury, the organization's top prospect, hit .303 as a leadoff hitter between stops at high-A Wilmington and Double-A Portland, where he finished the 2006 season. He has superior defensive skills, but offensive ability, too. He has good plate discipline (53:49 K:BB in 442 AB), knows how to get on base (.382 OBP), and can take an extra one (41 SB, 70.6% success rate). He'll probably start in Portland and finish in Triple-A, but a September call-up is possible.
2006
Ellsbury was Boston's first-round pick in the 2005 draft and has excellent speed and plate discipline (Baseball America rated his strike zone judgment as third-best in the NCAA). After hitting .406 at Oregon in 2005, he spent his first season in the pros with Boston's Single-A affiliate in Lowell (Mass.), where he stole 23 bases and had a .418 OBP in 35 games.