Nick Sogard discusses switch-hitting success with WooSox; It's been 'rewarding' from both sides of plate
Nick Sogard has used the 2024 season as a reminder of just how useful a player he is in the Red Sox system.
The 26-year-old has been doing it all from both sides of the plate, on defense, and as a leader in the clubhouse. He even has the manager of the major league club talking about him on a radio station in Boston.
“It definitely means a lot,” Sogard said of Red Sox manager Alex Cora mentioning his name. “That is probably the most important opinion that a minor league player can try to win over between him, Craig Breslow, or Brian Abraham. That obviously means a lot. With that being said, a lot of that stuff is still out of my control to how that might shake out. As exciting as that is, you have to stay focused on taking care of business every day here. If that time comes then that would be great but if not, I will keep handling my business down here.”
Sogard is consistent staple in the top of the order for the WooSox just about every single night. He has been batting behind Chase Meidroth, who has been just as hot in the batter’s box.
“We honestly don’t talk about it a whole lot,” Sogard said of Meidroth. “We joked on 4th of July when we were getting crushed by Syracuse and I looked over to him and asked if he had gotten on base tonight. He had said no, and I hadn’t either that night and that might have been the first time it had happened this year. I’d say he definitely motivates me when he is in the lineup. He is a special player at 22 years old. To be doing the stuff he has been doing is incredible on both sides of the ball. He is a great defender as well. It is fun to hit behind him and play beside him on defense.”
Triple-A is always an interesting mixture of veterans with plenty of MLB experience all the way to young top prospects who have dominated the lower minors. Sogard finds himself right in the middle of both groups, as he is now looked at as a leader in the Worcester locker room but does not have the major league experience others have in the room.
“It is definitely funny hearing that,” Sogard said of being called a leader. “I don’t picture myself as that, but it obviously means a lot that guys would have questions for me or look forward to playing with me. I am still asking questions all the time to guys like Bobby Dalbec, Eddy Alvarez, or Jaime Westbrook that have done it longer than I have. I feel like I am somewhere in the middle of the clubhouse where I can provide perspective as well as I am still learning everyday as well.”
One of Sogard’s many calling cards that make him an intriguing option for the big league club is his ability to hit effectively from both sides of the plate.
“Traditionally my splits the last few years have been a lot better from the right side of the plate,” Sogard said. “I joked with Chad Tracy saying that the left-handed hitting was going to catch up this year. Now I guess the left side is better than the right. I still feel just as comfortable from the right so hopefully that will come around. I am not struggling but I haven’t been having the year I normally have from that side of the plate. The left side has been a lot of work since it isn’t my natural side so it has been a lot of years of extra focus and extra work on that side of the plate, so it has been cool to see some of the rewards showing up.”
Sogard has played games at second base, shortstop, third base, left field, right field, and now two games over at first base. He has not played first base ever in his professional career until this season and he seems to be feeling good at the position.
“I feel fairly comfortable over there,” Sogard said of playing first base. “There was a ball thrown towards the baseline the other night that was weird for me. I think that will come easier with more reps. Overall, I have felt pretty comfortable. With any position, there are little things that take some time to get used to but for the most part, I feel pretty comfortable over there.”
