Boston Red Sox 2012 Projections: Statistics for Every Major Outfielder

Jacoby Ellsbury is the best outfielder the Boston Red Sox have for the 2012 season and also the fastest. However, the Red Sox also have four other outfielders who should make the Opening Day roster. The statistics for these players will blow your mind.

Carl Crawford will most likely open the season on the DL. Ryan Sweeney and Cody Ross will get the nods in left and right field until his return. Darnell McDonald will be a great option off the bench for the Sox.

Jacoby Ellsbury, .312 28 96

Jacoby Ellsbury won't hit as many home runs as he did in 2011, but he will still hit over 25. He will hit over .300 and will still hit out of the top spot in the Boston Red Sox batting order.

Also, Ellsbury will be a threat on the basepaths in 2011. He should have 40 or more stolen bases depending if Bobby Valentine will let him loose when it comes to base stealing. Don't be alarmed if you see the delayed steal when Ellsbury is on first with two outs.

Carl Crawford, .294 16 87

Carl Crawford will have one of the best years of his MLB career after his worst year in 2011. After getting used to playing with the Boston Red Sox, Crawford will regain his speed and power and become a great threat towards the bottom of the order for the Red Sox.

Crawford will steal 35 bases which will be a huge upgrade from the 18 he stole in 2011. Hopefully, his wrist will be fully healed when he returns and his tweaked batting stance will help his plate discipline.

After having the most dreadful 2011, Crawford will return to being one of the best outfielders in the entire MLB, which is what the Sox are paying him to do.

Cody Ross, .273 22 65

Cody Ross will be the biggest X-factor for the 2012 Boston Red Sox.

If he wins the right field spot over Ryan Sweeney, then he can hit over 20 homers and drive in at least 70 runs with over 120 games played.

But first, he has to deal with spring training and earn the spot by playing great at the plate as well as in the field.

Ryan Sweeney, .286 6 45

A great player to come off the bench in late inning situations, Ryan Sweeney is mainly known for his fielding abilities.

The Boston Red Sox should mainly use him as a defensive replacement late in games, but he also can hit for average. His career batting average is .303, but he has not hit over three home runs in a season to date.

Expect to see Sweeney in left field while Crawford is recovering, but after that he will come off the bench.

Darnell McDonald, .262 4 35

Yes, that's right. Darnell McDonald can pitch too.

McDonald is one of those players who won't be seeing much playing time unless he makes a name for himself during spring training. He will have to produce on the offensive end before the Boston Red Sox would even think of using him as a platoon option with Ryan Sweeney.

McDonald's fielding abilities are pretty much average and he is not a liability to have on the team if he can get clutch base hits as well as draw much needed walks in key situations.