2 years agoBoston Red Sox second baseman Jeter Downs is starting at third base and is batting ninth in his major league debut on Wednesday against Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal. The Red Sox are giving Rafael Devers the day off against a left-hander. Downs has primarily played in the middle infield, but they'll put him at the hot corner in his first big-league contest. The 23-year-old hit just .180/.297/.397 in 53 games for Triple-A Worcester before his call-up, but he also had 11 home runs, 21 RBI, 35 runs scored and 11 stolen bases in 222 plate appearances. Boston's No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has lost some plate discipline the last two years in the minors, but his power/speed skills will be intriguing long term. Downs will need to refine his approach at the plate in order to be successful in the majors, and he might be sent back to the minors soon.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBaller
Source: Baseball Press