On a team loaded with big contracts, Holt was Boston’s lone All-Star in 2015 – a surprising development and a victory for utility players everywhere. For the second straight year, Holt played every position in the field and filled in as a designated hitter as well. His numbers were very similar to his breakout 2014 season. The 27-year-old Holt is entering his prime years, plays multiple positions and has an affordable contract – what’s not to like? In 2016, Holt will fit the same role that he’s held the past two years, but his plate appearances could drop. His path to playing time last season was enabled by a lengthy injury to second baseman Dustin Pedroia as well as health and poor play in the outfield. Given Pedroia’s health and a seemingly set outfield, Holt’s at-bats may begin to dry up.

Holt was a revelation when he burst onto the scene for the Red Sox early in 2014. He filled a hole at third base when Will Middlebrooks got injured and doubled up as the team's best leadoff hitter when Jackie Bradley, Jr. and Grady Sizemore weren't cutting it. Holt continued to hit as injured players returned and Boston made roster adjustments, finding spots for him all over the diamond, making it difficult to know which glove Holt would use on a given night. He was mostly a third baseman, but saw significant time in the outfield. Alas, his hitting took a dive in the second half, when he batted .219/.278/.271 in 213 plate appearances after the All-Star break. There was nothing in Holt's dossier to suggest he'd continue to hit like he did in the first half (.327/.371/.463), but he's been a good hitter throughout his stops in the minors. While outfield playing time doesn't appear to be a likely option for Holt in 2015, last season's experience earned him strong consideration for a utility role.

The Red Sox had plans to make Holt a utility infielder, by expanding his position experience to third base. And he was part of the third-base solution in July and August, after Will Middlebrooks had been sent down to Triple-A and before Xander Bogaerts was promoted. He hit .203 in 59 at-bats, almost 90 points lower than he hit with the Pirates the season before. He was on the 40-man roster when the offseason began, and is the only second baseman, other than Dustin Pedroia, on the 40-man. At this point, he's not a lock to remain on the 40-man or in the organization.

Holt offers tremendous patience and an excellent batting eye at the plate. When he made his September debut, it was as if Pirates observers had never seen a patient hitter before (which is only partially true). The middle infielder split time between three levels in 2012, including Double-A -- where he hit .322/.389/.432, Triple-A (.432/.476/.537 in 95 at-bats) and the majors (.292/.329/.354). Despite his hitting ability, Pittsburgh curiously relegated him mostly to the bench with starting second baseman Neil Walker out. Pirates management cautioned observers about Holt's questionable defense, which was labeled as no better than the fifth-best defensive option at shortstop in September. The 24-year-old infielder will battle for a bench spot in Boston after being sent to the Red Sox as part of the Joel Hanrahan deal in December.