Red Sox' aggressiveness on bases cuts both ways

No, it is not just your imagination: the Red Sox have made more outs on the basepaths than any other team in the American League.

A lot more, actually. Heading into Friday’s games, the Sox had made 59 outs – that is, outs other than forceouts, etc. – on the bases, with Houston (46) the next closest and the Yankees third at 44.

Moreover, the Red Sox have also made the most number of outs at the plate (23), well ahead of the Astros (16) and the Yankees and Texas Rangers (14). And they’ve also made the most number of outs at third base (14), though they’re just barely ahead of Tampa Bay (13) and the Los Angeles Angels (13).

But there’s a flip side to the team’s aggressiveness. They’re also tied for fourth (75 percent) when it comes to stolen base percentage.  And the Sox are second (at 44 percent) when it comes to measuring percentage of extra bases taken (more than one base on a single, more than two on a double).

So there’s good and bad to the Red Sox running so freely.

Thursday night was a perfect example. The Sox ran into three outs on the bases – Hanley Ramirez was cut down at the plate to end the second; Andrew Benintendi was thrown out at third in the fourth while attempting to move up 90 feet on an infield groundout; and Benintendi was again gunned down at third in the seventh attempting to go first-to-third on a single.

But they also took advantage of that aggressiveness when Benintendi scored all the way from second on an infield out in the second.

“While we recognize there are outs,’’ said John Farrell, “we always emphasize pushing the envelope, being the aggressor. There comes a price with that. But I think there’s something to be said for creating opportunities that might not be as obvious as the out itself.’’

It may appear that Farrell and the coaching staff has pushed the aggressiveness more this year because the team doesn’t have a lot of home run power (they rank dead last in the A.L.) and must utilize every chance to score a run.

But Farrell indicated Friday that it’s less about what sort of offense the Sox have and more about the team’s overall level of athleticism. Among the dozen or so regular or semi-regular players, only catcher Sandy Leon would be considered a base-clogger. That contrasts to past years, where David Ortiz and other veteran players were liabilities on the basepaths.

This year’s edition of the Red Sox is, generally speaking, younger and faster, with a number of everyday position players in their early-to-mid 20s.

“It’s more about the individuals,’’ said Farrell, “and with those guys who have the ability to run, we’re going to promote it. There’s a mindset we’re trying to create on the basepaths. There’s a means to an end and somewhere along the line, you’re going to create some outs with the approach of trying to create opportunities.

“You try to take advantage of your roster, and with the addition of (Eduardo) Nunez and with Mookie (Betts), Bogie (Xander Bogaerts), Brock (Holt), to Benny…that’s the type of roster we have. So we’re going to push that more times than not.’’

Benintendi, whom Farrell believes is no worse than the second-fastest player on the Sox, have been aggressive to a fault. He’s made 10 outs on the bases, tying him with Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez for the most of any player in the American League.

“In Benny’s case,’’ said Farrell, “yes, he runs into (two outs) at third base (Thursday) night. But it’s the same aggressiveness that allows him to score from second base on an infield single.  We would much rather have young players that you have to pull back rather than prod and kind of poke, to get them to be aggressive.’’

Having Benintendi thrown out for trying to grab an extra base, according to Farrell, is just part of the growing pains for a player in his first major league season.

“The subtleties of the game are going to be a steep learning curve for Benny,’’ Farrell said. “I firmly believe he’s going to be an elite baserunner as he learns. Yes, he’s been overaggressive, or he’s rounded bases where there’s a throw behind him where he gets cut down.  The defenses aren’t as efficient in the minor leagues, so you’re not seeing the same kind of throwing arms, the same kind of accuracy, to make decisions on the fly.

“But that’s part of just gaining experience at this level.  But I would rather take a fearless, aggressive guy, 10 times before I take a guy where you have to outline every situation.’’