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'''William "Will" Scott Middlebrooks''' (born September 9, 1988) is an [[United States|American]] professional [[baseball]] [[third baseman]] for the [[Boston Red Sox]] of [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB). Middlebrooks made his MLB debut with the Red Sox on May 2, 2012.
'''William "Will" Scott Middlebrooks''' (born September 9, 1988) is an [[United States|American]] professional [[baseball]] [[third baseman]] for the [[Boston Red Sox]] of [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB). Middlebrooks made his MLB debut with the Red Sox on May 2, 2012.


A fifth round draft pick in the [[2007 Major League Baseball Draft|2007 MLB Draft]] out of [[Liberty-Eylau High School]] in [[Texarkana, Texas]], Middlebrooks signed with the Red Sox for $925,000, bypassing his commitment to [[Texas A&M University]]. Originally a [[shortstop]], the Red Sox converted Middlebrooks into a third baseman in the [[minor league baseball|minor leagues]]. He represented the United States in the 2011 [[All-Star Futures Game]]. Following Middlebrooks' emergence as the Red Sox' starting third baseman in 2012, the organization traded former [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] [[Kevin Youkilis]].
A fifth round draft pick in the [[2007 Major League Baseball Draft|2007 MLB Draft]] out of [[Liberty-Eylau High School]] in [[Texarkana, Texas]], Middlebrooks signed with the Red Sox for $925,000, bypassing his commitment to [[Texas A&M University]]. Middlebrooks was originally a [[shortstop]], but the Red Sox converted him into a third baseman in the [[minor league baseball|minor leagues]]. He represented the United States in the 2011 [[All-Star Futures Game]]. Following Middlebrooks' emergence as the Red Sox' starting third baseman in 2012, the organization traded former [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] [[Kevin Youkilis]].


==Career==
==Career==

Revision as of 13:20, 1 April 2013

Will Middlebrooks
Boston Red Sox – No. 16
Third baseman
Born: (1988-09-09) September 9, 1988 (age 36)
Greenville, Texas
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
debut
May 2, 2012, for the Boston Red Sox
Career statistics
(through 2012 season)
Batting average.288
Home runs15
Runs batted in54
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

William "Will" Scott Middlebrooks (born September 9, 1988) is an American professional baseball third baseman for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). Middlebrooks made his MLB debut with the Red Sox on May 2, 2012.

A fifth round draft pick in the 2007 MLB Draft out of Liberty-Eylau High School in Texarkana, Texas, Middlebrooks signed with the Red Sox for $925,000, bypassing his commitment to Texas A&M University. Middlebrooks was originally a shortstop, but the Red Sox converted him into a third baseman in the minor leagues. He represented the United States in the 2011 All-Star Futures Game. Following Middlebrooks' emergence as the Red Sox' starting third baseman in 2012, the organization traded former All-Star Kevin Youkilis.

Career

Amateur career

Middlebrooks attended Liberty-Eylau High School in Texarkana, Texas.[1] Middlebrooks played shortstop and pitched for the high school baseball team. As a pitcher, he could reach 90 miles per hour (140 km/h) with his fastball.[2] Liberty-Eylau won the Class 3A state championship in 2006, Middlebrooks' junior season.[3][4] In his senior season, Middlebrooks had a .555 batting average.[5] He was named to the Class 3A All-State First Team and Class 3A Player of the Year by the Texas Sports Writers Association.[6]

In addition to baseball, Middlebrooks played American football and basketball in high school.[7] A quarterback, placekicker and punter, he played on the school's football team, which also featured LaMichael James.[8][9] He was named an All-State punter.[8] Middlebrooks admits that he preferred football, until he realized during his junior year that he had the opportunity to be selected in the Major League Baseball Draft.[7][10] In November 2006, he committed to attend Texas A&M University on a full scholarship to play baseball and football for the Texas A&M Aggies.[5][7][11]

Professional career

Minor league baseball

Middlebrooks had been projected as a first round talent in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft.[12] However, the belief that he would follow through with his scholarship to Texas A&M led Middlebrooks to fall in the draft.[5] The Boston Red Sox drafted Middlebrooks in the fifth round of the draft, selecting him as a position player, rather than as a pitcher.[13] He received a $925,000 signing bonus to bypass his commitment to Texas A&M.[10]

Middlebrooks made his professional debut in 2008 with the Lowell Spinners of the Class A-Short Season New York-Penn League, where he batted .254 with one home run. He described himself as developmentally behind other players at his level because of the time he had devoted to football.[7] Initially a shortstop, Middlebrooks made the transition to third base as he added muscle, increasing from 190 pounds (86 kg) at the time he was drafted to 210 pounds (95 kg).[7]

Middlebrooks batting in May 2012

In 2009, Middlebrooks played for the Greenville Drive of the Class A South Atlantic League, where he batted. 265 with seven home runs and 57 runs batted in (RBIs).[14] He was promoted to the Salem Red Sox of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League in 2010 and responded by batting .276 with 12 home runs and 70 RBIs.[14] Middlebrooks began the 2011 season playing for the Portland Sea Dogs of the Class AA Eastern League. He played in the Eastern League All-Star Game, hitting a double in the game.[15] Middlebrooks also participated in the 2011 All-Star Futures Game,[16] starting at third base and going 1-for-2.[17]

Through August 2011, Middlebrooks batted .306 with 18 home runs and 80 RBIs for Portland, at which point he was promoted to the Pawtucket Red Sox of the Class AAA International League. Joe McDonald of ESPN.com called Middlebrooks "Boston's likely [third baseman] of the future" upon his promotion from Portland to Pawtucket.[18] He hit .161 in 16 games with Pawtucket to close out the 2011 season.[7]

After the 2011 season, the Red Sox assigned Middlebrooks to the Arizona Fall League, where he hit four home runs in 13 games and was named to the Rising Stars Game.[8][16] In November 2011, Middlebrooks, Che-Hsuan Lin and Drake Britton were added to the Red Sox 40-man roster to prevent them from being selected in the Rule 5 Draft.[19]

Heading into the 2012 season, Baseball America rated Middlebrooks as the Red Sox' best prospect and 51st best prospect overall.[20] Starting the 2012 season with Pawtucket, Middlebrooks hit .333 with nine home runs and 27 RBIs in 24 games and 93 at-bats.[21] Meanwhile, Red Sox starting third baseman Kevin Youkilis struggled, opening the 2012 season batting .219.[21] As Youkilis struggled, Middlebrooks appeared to be ready for a promotion.[22]

Major League Baseball

Middlebrooks congratulating Kevin Youkilis

The Red Sox promoted Middlebrooks to the major leagues on May 2, 2012, when Youkilis was placed on the disabled list.[21] He made his MLB debut that day, drawing a walk in his first plate appearance and recording two hits.[23] On May 6, he hit a game-tying grand slam for his first major league home run in what was eventually a 17-inning loss to the Baltimore Orioles.[24] In his first 41 games with the Red Sox, Middlebrooks batted .326 with nine home runs and 34 RBIs, the most RBIs to start a career for a member of the Red Sox since Walt Dropo recorded 37 RBIs in his first 41 career games dating back to 1949-50.[25]

Bobby Valentine, the manager of the Red Sox, initially alternated between Middlebrooks and Youkilis at third base. However, Middlebrooks' emergence led the Red Sox to trade Youkilis on June 23.[25][26] Middlebrooks was named American League Player of the Week for the week ending June 24.[27][28] Middlebrooks broke a bone in his right hand when he was hit by a pitch in a game against the Cleveland Indians on August 10, ending his rookie season with a .288 batting average, 15 home runs and 54 RBIs in 75 games played.[29][30]

Player profile

Middlebrooks is an athletic defensive player. He hits for power[31] and is also credited for his contact skills,[14] though he is not considered the most patient hitter. His throwing arm is well regarded,[31] and his baserunning is rated as average.[14]

Personal

Middlebrooks grew up in Texarkana, Texas. His father, Tom, serves as the head baseball coach and assistant football coach at Liberty-Eylau, and his younger sister, Lacey, plays softball for the University of Tulsa. Middlebrooks' mother, Julie, and youngest sister, Mary, are artists; Julie is an art teacher.[32] He has been friends with Ryan Mallett of the New England Patriots since they met in a football camp after Mallet moved to the Texarkana area in the seventh grade.[8][33]

Middlebrooks is engaged to Ann Lux, a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.[10][34] They are from the same hometown and have known each other since age 12.[35]

References

  1. ^ Abraham, Peter (August 20, 2010). "Middlebrooks turning the corner at third base". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 3, 2012. (subscription required)
  2. ^ Brooks, Jon Dustin (March 9, 2007). "Liberty-Eylau pitcher hits his way to a win". The Marshall News Messenger. Retrieved May 3, 2012. (subscription required)
  3. ^ Hale, Joe (May 19, 2006). "Carthage falls to L-E in playoff series opener". Longview News-Journal. Retrieved May 3, 2012. (subscription required)
  4. ^ Cantu, Rick (June 7, 2007). "Leopards get shot to defend state title". Austin American-Statesman. p. C06. Retrieved May 3, 2012. (subscription required)
  5. ^ a b c "Middlebrooks on verge of breakout". Kennebec Journal. Augusta, Maine. May 30, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  6. ^ "High School Baseball: TSWA All-State Teams". The Victoria Advocate. July 5, 2007. p. C2. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Tomase, John (April 27, 2012). "Will Middlebrooks on way: Bat, glove portend big future". BostonHerald.com. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d "Mallett and Middlebrooks living the dream". Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. February 1, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  9. ^ Giles, Les (December 10, 2006). "End of the line for Eagles: Liberty-Eylau hits Canyon defense with big plays in dominating victory". Amarillo Globe-News. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  10. ^ a b c Doyle, Ricky (May 1, 2012). "Will Middlebrooks Played High School Football With LaMichael James, But Focus Has Been on Baseball Ever Since". NESN.com. New England Sports Network. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  11. ^ Kretzschmar, Rick (March 8, 2007). "Hallsville, Marshall co-hosting tourney". Longview News-Journal. Retrieved October 30, 2012. (subscription required)
  12. ^ Goldstein, Kevin (June 26, 2008). "Future Shock: AL East". Baseball Prospectus. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  13. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (September 27, 2007). "Florida Instructional League Notebook: News & notes for the week of Sept. 24". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  14. ^ a b c d Driver, David (August 16, 2011). "EL notes: Middlebrooks rolls along". Milb.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved May 3, 2012. Cite error: The named reference "milb" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  15. ^ Thomas, Kevin (July 14, 2011). "Sea Dogs make impression; Will Middlebrooks and Alex Hassan hit doubles for the East, but the West emerges with an 8–3 victory". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved May 2, 2012. (subscription required)
  16. ^ a b Minihane, Kirk (November 1, 2011). "Full Count » Red Sox prospect Will Middlebrooks named to Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Game". WEEI. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  17. ^ "Middlebrooks 1 for 2 in Futures Game". Boston.com. Boston Globe. July 10, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  18. ^ McDonald, Joe (August 20, 2011). "A giant step closer to Fenway". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  19. ^ Cole, Mike (November 19, 2011). "Will Middlebrooks, Che-Hsuan Lin, Drake Britton Added to Red Sox' 40-Man Roster". NESN.com. New England Sports Network. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  20. ^ Thomas, Kevin (February 5, 2012). "On Baseball: Ranaudo may be Hadlock-bound". The Portland Press Herald. MaineToday Media. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  21. ^ a b c Browne, Ian (May 2, 2012). "Red Sox promote top prospect Middlebrooks". MLB.com. Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  22. ^ Abraham, Peter (April 18, 2012). "As Youkilis struggles, Middlebrooks impresses". Boston.com. Boston Globe. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  23. ^ Underhill, Nick (May 2, 2012). "Will Middlebrooks makes strong debut in Red Sox' loss to A's". Springfield, Massachusetts: The Republican. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  24. ^ Browne, Ian (May 6, 2012). "Middlebrooks' first MLB home run is grand". MLB.com. Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  25. ^ a b Laymance, Austin (June 19, 2012). "Hot Corner Heir: Middlebrooks handed reins". MLB.com. Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  26. ^ MacPherson, Brian (June 24, 2012). "Transition complete: Red Sox icon Youkilis traded to make room for rookie Middlebrooks". The Providence Journal. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  27. ^ Doyle, Ricky (June 25, 2012). "Middlebrooks Named AL Player of the week". NESN.com. New England Sports Network. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  28. ^ "Will Middlebrooks of the Boston Red Sox named the American League Player of the Week". MLB.com (Press release). Major League Baseball Advanced Media. June 25, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  29. ^ Finnan, Bob (August 11, 2012). "Red Sox put Will Middlebrooks on DL". ESPNBoston.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved August 11, 2012.
  30. ^ McDonald, Joe (September 11, 2012). "Will Middlebrooks gets cast off". ESPNBoston.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  31. ^ a b Gray, Kevin (May 10. 2011). "Kevin Gray's On Baseball: Sox prospect Middlebrooks on the attack". New Hampshire Union Leader. Retrieved October 30, 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ Edes, Gordon (May 8, 2012). "Middlebrooks lightning strikes twice: Red Sox third baseman Will, Tulsa softball player Lacey hit simultaneous home runs". ESPNBoston.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  33. ^ "Patriots QB Ryan Mallett anticipating Will Middlebrooks' MLB debut". BostonHerald.com. Herald Media. May 2, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  34. ^ Abraham, Peter (April 24, 2012). "Will Middlebrooks making his case". Boston.com. Boston Globe. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
  35. ^ Lux, Ann (February 22, 2012). "Farewell From Ann". Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
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