Xander Bogaerts Admits He’s Sick Of Being Disrespected By The Fans And Media

A few weeks ago I wrote an article that needed to be talked about. It’s because nobody is talking about him. Xander Bogaerts is the best shortstop in baseball. He’s also not being talked about at all. I tried to change that narrative because it absolutely needs to be discussed.

Well, well, well, what do you know? Xander Bogaerts recently did an interview with Chad Bradford of WEEI. Bogaerts, 26, admits he feels disrespected by the fans and media.

“These past few years every time I’ve come up just short even though my numbers have been up there or better than most of the guys,” Bogaerts told WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford prior to Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins. “It’s just so weird. I just miss out when in my opinion I should have been there. I just feel like it’s a routine, every year the same thing. It’s kind of getting annoying. But I don’t know what to do.”

Added Bogaerts: “Some people like some guys more than other guys. I just think (the statistics) speak for themselves. I don’t know how that goes a bit unnoticed or a bit unrecognized. Sometimes it’s sad, but that’s the way it is. It’s been like that the last couple of years. I’ve kind of gotten used to it. It sucks to say that and I don’t want to be that way, but it’s weird.”

“My numbers were … I was leading in so many different things,” Bogaerts said of the 2018 selection process. “I didn’t understand.”

The numbers do not lie. Bogaerts ranks 5th in all of baseball in WAR according to fangraphs. He’s also statistically the 3rd best defender in baseball. Bogaerts also leads all AL shortstops in runs (58), OBP (.392), RBI’s (58), doubles (24), and walks (44). Since the 2015 season, Bogaerts is by far the best shortstop in baseball and it flat out isn’t close.

It’s time for fans to start giving Bogaerts the respect he deserves. Xander ranks 6th in AL All-Star voting for shortstops. Let’s get out there and vote!