Jed Lowrie

2013

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2012

Lowrie saved the Red Sox's bacon in April when the team struggled out of the gate. He was hitting everything and forced his way into the starting lineup at shortstop. Eventually the bat cooled off, injuries crept in and we saw that he was exposed in the field at shortstop with the more playing time he received. He's had stretches of great hitting, like he had last April, but also has trouble staying healthy. He finished with just 341 plate appearances, even after it appeared he would double that total based on his hot start. However, Lowrie will get a chance to prove he's an everyday player after he was traded to Houston, where he'll likely start at shortstop.

2011

Lowrie resurrected his young career in 2010, smacking nine homers and 24 RBI in 171 plate appearances after overcoming a bout with mononucleosis and a previous wrist injury. This was the second time since getting called up in 2008 that Lowrie has shown good production -- he knocked in 46 runs in 260 at-bats in 2008. He's got good extra-base power and can play multiple infield positions, including some work at first base in 2010. He gives Boston some options: they can include him in a deal, they can trade Marco Scutaro and start him at short or they can keep him as a utility guy. Any way you slice it, Lowrie appears poised for a mini-breakout season in 2011.

2010

A wrist injury that first cropped up at the end of 2008 ruined Lowrie's 2009 season, which began with him as Boston's starting shortstop. While the reports project him to be healthy for 2010, the Red Sox were unwilling to rely on his bounce back and signed Marco Scutaro to be the everyday shortstop. Lowrie, if healthy, will serve as a utility guy who can spot start at short, second and third. Of course, the condition of his wrist will impact his ability to hit the line drives and doubles we saw when he came up to help the Sox in 2008.

2009

Lowrie was a godsend for Boston last season when he came up to replace the injured Julio Lugo. His 24-RBI August stood out as Lowrie provided some timely hits for the Red Sox during the second half of the season. Lowrie has doubles power and has developed into a utility guy, capable of playing three infield positions. He fielded shortstop well, not having a great range but making all the easy/medium plays and has a strong arm. The timely hitting and good fielding is something the club wasn't getting from Lugo. This development has caused the organization to search for a taker for Lugo. If Lugo is traded, Lowrie is the sure starter at shortstop in 2009.

2008

Lowrie bounced back from a down 2006 season, increasing all of his percentage categories while making the shift from second base to shortstop. He displayed good pop for a middle infielder, burnishing his prospect status at Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket. Lowrie's name has been mentioned in trade talks with Minnesota. A trade would help his career immensely as Boston is set at middle infield with Julio Lugo and 2007 Rookie of the Year Dustin Pedroia.

2007

Lowrie struggled through injuries in 2006 and regressed in all of his percentage categories. He showed some good pop for a middle infielder while at Stanford, but displayed very little last year. He's got good plate discipline and hits equally well from both sides of the plate. With Hanley Ramirez gone and Dustin Pedroia moved to second base, Lowrie is the highest-rated shortstop prospect in the organization. The Sox will want to see how he bounces back in 2007, probably beginning the year in high-A.

2006

Lowrie is an excellent fielder with a strong arm and above-average range. He showed decent power for a middle infielder at Stanford, is a switch-hitter, and knows how get on base. After playing mostly second base in college, he was moved to shortstop with the Low-A Lowell Spinners in 2005. He's not big physically, but has good bat speed and torque and takes a big cut for his size (6-0, 185).