It seems as though Paw Sox first baseman Aaron Bates has finally figured it out. An all but forgotten Sox prospect, Bates busted onto the scene in Portland after a mediocre Double A season last year, got called up to Pawtucket two months into the season and has now been called up by the Red Sox for his first taste of the majors.

An unfortunate incident in Saturday’s game against the Mariner’s in which Seattle shortstop Ronny Cedeno collided with Sox first baseman Jeff Bailey may land Bailey on the disabled list and Bates in the Red Sox clubhouse. One man’s loss is another man’s gain.

Bates has often been noticed for his offensive numbers but it is his defense that Paw Sox skipper Ron Johnson has noticed and something the Red Sox will be looking for with Mark Kotsay as their next option at first.

"I’ve see a couple of things from Aaron," the Paw Sox skipper said. "He’s phenomenal defensively. He’s a really, really good defensive first baseman — the size, the stretch, the pick, the split — it’s been impressive that’s hard to disagree. I’ve been really impressed with his make up and composure — the way he’s gone about his play."