PLAYING TIME: Aviles named starter, may lead off

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Aviles named starter in Boston, may lead off

As expected, Mike Aviles (SS, BOS) was named the starting shortstop in Boston to begin the season. His main assets are his contact rate (86 percent career) and his speed. Aviles has stolen 14 bases each of the past two years, and did so in just 286 at-bats last year. A consistently low walk rate makes getting on base a struggle, though, which could eventually cut into his playing time.  At this point, though, that doesn't seem to be a major concern, as manager Bobby Valentine is thinking of using Aviles in the leadoff spot.  Should that happen, it would obviously mean good things for his counting stats, but his low on-base-percentage may mean it would be a short-term...

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