Over the last two weeks, the Red Sox have had to adjust on the fly. Due to a COVID outbreak, their depth has been tested. With the roster needing reinforcements, they turned to the waiver wire and old friend Jose Iglesias. The Havana native appeared in 114 games for the Angels before he was released on September third and picked up by the Red Sox three days later.
In his second stint in Boston, Iglesias is batting .387 in 12 games. Although the 31-year-old is known for his defense, he has provided a spark of late. Through 31 at-bats, he has 12 hits and five RBI’s. With key bats out of action, Iglesias has been a valuable piece at the bottom of the lineup. While his bat has been impressive, his defense has been just as important.
Since making his MLB debut for the Red Sox in 2011, Iglesias has been known for his defense. The former Red Sox top 10 prospect has been a human highlight reel and posted a career .982 fielding percentage. Through 126 games this year, he has committed 16 errors, but only one with the Red Sox. Over the last two weeks, Iglesias has also turned three double plays. With the veteran infielder in the lineup, Boston has a strong defense up the middle.
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With the Red Sox, Iglesias has also been more patient at the plate. He has only struck out five times while forcing two walks. As a result, he has a .411 on-base percentage which is a career-high. Iglesias has also shown a flair for the dramatics and come through with runners in scoring position. Although the veteran infielder is not known for his power, he has six extra-base hits with Boston.
Expectations for Iglesias down the stretch
As the playoffs draw closer, Iglesias has an uncertain future. Despite his recent success, Iglesias is not eligible for the postseason roster. Christian Arroyo is also inching closer to his return, giving Boston another option in the infield. That could lead to less playing time for Iglesias, who has surpassed expectations.
Regardless of how playing time is divided, Iglesias has had a memorable second run in Boston. He’s been a crucial part of their recent success at a time when a lot of important pieces were out of the lineup. His recent play should help his case in free agency, as he has shown that he can still be a productive piece on a contending team.
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