FORT MYERS, Fla. — Will Middlebrooks was a tourist at spring training last year, there to experience life as a major leaguer for a few weeks before returning to minor league camp.

Now he is the starting third baseman for the Red Sox and a hitter expected to provide production in the middle of the lineup. Middlebrooks showed power last season with 15 home runs and 14 doubles in 267 at-bats.