BOSTON -- It's not spring training. But, in a way, it kind of is.
A lot of these Red Sox are auditioning for jobs now that there's a new boss -- Dave Dombrowski -- in town.
There's only one player, Rick Porcello, who has a history with Dombrowski in Detroit, so the new president of Baseball Operations has a clean slate as he decides who he wants to keep and who he's willing to let go.
For someone like Travis Shaw, who is finally getting his chance to contribute in the majors -- and is making the most of it -- that's good news.
If first impressions mean anything, Shaw can't make much of a better one.
He's got 6 home runs in his first 24 major-league games, including four in his last seven games. With his 2-for-3 (and a walk) performance on Thursday night, Shaw has recorded multiple hits in five of his last seven games, batting .500 and slugging .967 over that span (15-for-30, 4 home runs) and has reached base at least three times in four of those seven games.
And talk about taking advantage of the home field: Shaw is batting .522 and slugging .978 at Fenway Park.
Boston Red Sox
"Just try to come here every day and prove something, especially to the new boss and prove that I belong up here and put myself in a good spot moving forward," Shaw said. "Offensively, defensively, try to do everything I can to help this team win every night."
Shaw is proving he belongs. Not only does he provide left-handed power, but he can play first base, third base, and the outfield. That power and versatility is hugely valuable for any team.
As currently constructed, the roster allows Shaw to play pretty much every day. Brock Holt can play first base, but with Dustin Pedroia down he'll most likely be at second the majority of the time. David Ortiz can play first occasionally, but we know how that goes. Hanley Ramir . . . just kidding. No, he won't play first.
So Shaw is going to get an opportunity to really prove himself over the last six weeks of the season. He's already got the support of his teammates, who see how productive he's been in a short time.
"He's awesome, man. He's been doing a fantastic job, really impressive," Ryan Hanigan said. "Hitting lefties, hitting for power, extra-base hits, driving in runs, everything, walking - bases-loaded walk was big for us. Just attacking balls in the zone, he looks real free and easy, and he plays good 'D' man. He can play third, he can play first, he can probably play anywhere else. He's got good feet for a big guy, good hands, moves well, and swing is on point right now. So it's fun to watch."