Mitch Moreland

Today I am showing off my first Mitch Moreland autograph card, acquired after Moreland had already been traded to the Padres (and he is with Oakland this season).  But Moreland was a favorite during his time in Boston, so I guess it is time to talk about him. 

Moreland spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Texas Rangers before signing a free agent contract with the Red Sox prior to the 2017 season.  He was signed primarily to work into a platoon with Hanley Ramirez, but Moreland's defense (he won a Gold Glove in 2016) pushed Ramirez into being a designated hitter.  Moreland was generally average at the plate that season, hitting .246/.326/.443 with 22 home runs and 79 RBIs.  He obtained the nickname "Mitchy Two-Bags" as a result of his propensity for hitting doubles, he had 34 in 2017.  He was one of the few hitters to play well in the postseason ALDS loss to the Astros, hitting .385 with two doubles.  He also pitched an inning in 2017, allowing two hits with a strikeout, but no runs.

In 2018, Moreland missed some time due to injuries, but he was playing so well early on that he was named to his first All Star team as the reserve first-baseman.  He had three at-bats and made the most of it, gathering two base hits.  His 2018 season looked similar to his 2017 as he hit .245/.325/.433 with 15 home runs, 23 doubles and 68 RBIs.  He again hit well in the postseason, particularly in the ALDS against the Yankees (.333) and the ALCS against the Astros (.500).  He was not as impressive in the World Series against the Dodgers (.125), but he hit a HUGE three-run home run with the Red Sox down by four in the 7th inning of Game 4, setting the stage for a comeback victory that put the Red Sox on the path to winning the Series.

Moreland only played in 91 games in 2019, but he was having a big season from the power department.  He hit .252/.328/.507 with 19 home runs, 17 doubles and 58 RBIs.  He was having his best Major League season in 2020 before he was traded and was the best hitter on the team.  He was hitting .328/.430/.746 with eight home runs, 21 RBIs and four doubles.  Unfortunately, Boston was not going anywhere and Moreland was going to be a free agent.  The Red Sox sold high, sending him to San Diego for prospects Hudson Potts and Jeisson Rosario, both of whom are in Boston's Top 20 prospects.  Moreland struggled for San Diego and was mostly a bat off the bench.  He signed with Oakland prior to this season.

Moreland was kind of a cult fan favorite-type player in Boston.  He is someone that fans will remember and appreciate for years to come.  He was just generally a likable player and fun to watch.  I wish him luck in the future.  He will always be a Red Sox in my eyes.