Aaron Bates Having A Productive Spring Training with the Red Sox

Photo by George Campbell

One week into spring training and Red Sox first base prospect Aaron Bates is among the team leaders in games played and hitting. The right handed 26 year old has a .300 batting average after appearing in six of the teams first seven games.

He is pleased with his strong start, and is enjoying camp with the Red Sox in Ft Myers.

“Things are going well,” Bates said after the March 8th game against the Cardinals, in which the Red Sox came back to win 7-6 in the ninth inning. “Just trying to get better, its been a good experience so far, we’re winning some games, doing what I can to get better. Its been a great time.”

All Star Kevin Youkilis has the Red Sox first base position locked up, so Bates’s best hope is to make an impression and be ready for a bench spot or first in line for a call-up.

“I don’t know, you never know with those kind of things,” Bates stated. “Its just my job to go out there and get myself ready, as far as where you end up, a lot of that stuff’s out of your control. As long as you go out and swing the bat and play hard, and play good defense, everything falls into place where it may.”

Photo by George Campbell

Bates pinch hit for Jacoby Ellsbury and earned a base on balls, then scored his second run of the Spring in Boston’s 9-0 rout over the Marlins on March 9th in Jupiter, FL.

He started the 2009 season off very well for Boston’s AA team, the Portland Sea Dogs. He batted .340 in over 200 plate appearances for the team.

“I loved Portland,” Bates continued. “Its a great city and a great set up for a park. The city was a lot of fun, great restaurants and lots to do in the Old Port.”

He earned a call up to Boston prior to the All Star break, where he played five games. He did an impressive job hitting .364 with a pair of doubles and driving in a pair of runs, while scoring another two. He then was sent to AAA Pawtucket, where he finished the season.