Unknown Heroes Pt. 46: Jose Iglesias

I have not done one of these in something like six years.  I am sure I could come up with a few more if I thought about it (looking at you Tzu-Wei Lin).  Getting the below card was a good reason to resurrect this series.

This is one of the Silk Collection cards that were fairly big for a few years.  This came from Iglesias's first stint with the team.  He made another one last year.

Iglesias was signed to a big bonus as an international free agent in September of 2009.  The Cuban-born infielder was spectacular defensively, but had a questionable bat.  His first season in the minors saw him hit for a decent average, but no power.  He made it up to the Majors for the first time in late 2011, but only played in ten games, mostly as a defensive replacement, though he did have two hits in just six at-bats.  He had a little more of a look in the Majors in 2012 when the team struggled to a last-place finish, but he hit just .118 in 25 games.  

Spring Training in 2013 saw Iglesias put on a show.  He was so impressive that he made the Opening Day lineup.  He was sent back down to the minors after a week, but came back in late May.  Iglesias was a sensation, splitting time between shortstop and third base and hitting for a shockingly high batting average.  Iglesias's strengths were his exceptional defense and his ability to make contact.  He also had some impressive speed that allowed him to beat out plays at first base.  Iglesias was hitting above .400 as late as July 6 before his average finally started coming down.  He struggled after that for a few weeks.  On July 30, Iglesias was hitting .330/.376/.409 with one home run, ten doubles, two triples, 19 RBIs and three stolen bases.  That was the end of his first stint with Boston.

As good as Iglesias had been, Boston had a better player waiting in the wings at shortstop.  Xander Bogaerts represented the team's future.  Boston had a glut of shortstop prospects in fact.  That made Iglesias expendable.  What the team needed was more starting pitching to contend for the postseason.  And there was a pretty good one on the table in Chicago, but Boston did not have quite enough to make the move.  Enter the Detroit Tigers, who needed an infielder.  A three-team deal developed in which Boston sent Iglesias to the Tigers and some prospects (one of whom was Frankie Montas currently a top starter with the A's) to the White Sox.  The Tigers sent power-hitting outfielder Avisail Garcia to the White Sox, and Boston had their pitcher: Jake Peavy.

Iglesias continued to play well defensively for his new team, but his average continued to fall.  At the end of the year, his line was a still decent .303/.349/.386 with three home runs and 29 RBIs.  He ended up finishing second in the A.L. Rookie of the Year vote to Rays outfielder Wil Myers.  Iglesias continued along the same lines for several more seasons, even making the All Star team in 2015.  He played for the Tigers, Reds, Orioles and Angels.  Then, he returned to Boston.

The Angels in 2021 were not going anywhere.  Despite reasonable numbers, the team decided to cut Iglesias.  Boston, needing some help due to injuries brought him back.  And Iglesias went on a tear.  Playing mostly second base, Iglesias played in 23 games down the stretch and hit .356/.406/.508 with one home run and seven RBIs.  He was also a strong clubhouse presence, taking over the role of chief laundry-cart pusher during home run celebrations.  Due to not joining the team until September, he was not eligible for the postseason roster.  He stayed with the team though to continue pushing the laundry cart.  

After the season, Iglesias signed a deal with the Rockies.  He is still just 32, so it is entirely possible he could make a third stint with the Red Sox.  If he does not though, his career line with Boston is a very impressive .293/.346/.382 with three home runs and 28 RBIs.  And of course, he played some terrific defense.