Trevor Story could be baseball's best defensive second baseman
When it came to the Red Sox' 6-5 win over the Cardinals Friday night, it was Trevor Story's glove that had people talking.
There was the diving play up the middle on a Harrison Bader hot shot in the third inning.
An inning later, Paul Goldschmidt's grounder up the middle was tracked down the outfield and fired to first for another above-average out.
And in the fifth, the backhanded play made on Tommy Edman's groundout also stood out, especially for Red Sox manager Alex Cora.
"The backhand in the shift, for me, that was the toughest play of them all because you have to be on point on the grass, get through it and put it on (the) money at first base," Cora said. “It’s a routine play. But in that spot, it’s not."
But perhaps the best feat of them all was the compliment Story elicited from Cora after the game. For a player who was living life as a second base newbie this season, it was the highest of high praise.
"I’ve been saying, I’ve played with some good defenders and the combination of being quick and fast, not too many guys have that," Cora said of Story, who now leads all American League second basemen with seven defensive run saved. "He gains ground. He does. I know a lot of people had their doubts with the throwing part of it.
"He’s been money. Money. On the run, taking his time. There was actually, he made all those plays. The one with man at third I think it was, two out in the fifth, the backhand shift, for me, that was the toughest play of them all, because you have to be on point on the grass, get through it and put it on the money at first base. It’s a routine play but in that spot, it’s not. Turning double plays and talking to the guys. I know it’s been a grind for him, but he doesn’t take a play off. He’s been ... like right now, I can say that probably he’s the best defensive second baseman in the big leagues."