Of all the strengths Mookie Betts brought to the Red Sox, adaptability could prove to be among the hardest to replace.

The former American League Most Valuable Player flourished as a leadoff man atop a potent lineup. It was a role Betts accepted and excelled in despite perhaps preferring to hit elsewhere.

Andrew Benintendi has struggled mightily in that spot over the balance of the last two years. Alex Verdugo, despite solid numbers and an extended run in his Boston debut, could find himself further down the order in the long term.

The Red Sox didn’t just lose a five-tool player when they traded Betts to the Dodgers in February. They parted company with the quintessential offensive catalyst.

“Some guys are so good at leadoff that you don’t want to put them at any other spot, and they make your lineup go,” Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said. “(Verdugo is) there now. That’s why Mookie was there — to create offense.”

Verdugo entered Saturday’s game with the Rays 4-for-22 with a walk and 12 strikeouts leading off games. His overall numbers in that spot are considerably better — .309/.368/.485 with 11 doubles and two home runs in 23 games. Verdugo is capable of hitting left-handed and right-handed pitching, posting an OPS of .812 and .927, respectively.

“Having a good amount of days batting leadoff, I’ve come to accept it,” Verdugo said. “You kind of just have to go up there with a mindset. I’m getting five (at-bats) — I’ve got to work them.”

While certainly not a refusal to continue in that role, it’s far from a full-throated endorsement. Betts was a natural fit and functioned beautifully thanks to his complete skill set. He was 31-for-95 leading off games in 2019, drawing seven walks and collecting a .941 OPS.

“I think (Verdugo) projects out that way,” Roenicke said. “But he also projects second. If he continues to hit the ball and progress, he may be a third hitter. We know he can hit anywhere down below.

“I know he still is more comfortable — I shouldn’t say he doesn’t like leadoff. But he’s more comfortable at the second spot than at leadoff.”

Verdugo is an extrovert by nature. His personality, particularly when fans are able to make their return to ballparks, figures to generate immediate buzz if at the plate in the first inning. A quick offensive threat could be necessary in 2021 to cover for what will be a rebuilding Boston pitching staff, which is chiefly responsible for the club’s 16-30 record this season.

“I feel like a lot of times I’ll strike out in the first at-bat and I’ll go back to the dugout like, ‘Awww man. What a way to start off the game. Sorry guys,’ ” Verdugo said. “But I also feel like it wakes me up quick. I had to get used to it a little bit.

“I was struggling with having to be aggressive to start off the game or seeing pitches and working the count. I felt like sometimes I was in the middle. I was taking pitches that were way too good — I should have been swinging. And when I got aggressive I was swinging at their pitches — what they wanted to execute.”

Being traded for a generational talent like Betts placed a significant amount of external pressure on Verdugo. It’s not something he’s confessed to feeling or applying on himself. It’s important to keep in perspective the competitive environment provided by Los Angeles, the place where Verdugo was drafted and developed into a big-leaguer.

“I don’t back down from a challenge,” Verdugo said. “I don’t shy away from a big moment. I came from the Dodgers — we were already expected to win. There’s a lot of pressure over there to be good and to contribute right away.

“It didn’t matter if you were a rookie or not. They expect you to be professional and to go about your business the right way. Once I came here I knew I had an opportunity to play and to finally just be a starter.”

The Red Sox entered Saturday with just 14 games left, but Verdugo figures to be with the club for a while. He doesn’t hit free agency until 2025, and team control was part of the attraction when Boston sent Betts, David Price and $48 million to the Dodgers for Verdugo and prospects Jeter Downs and Connor Wong. Whether or not he emerges as a future cornerstone remains to be seen, but Verdugo certainly looks the part of a impactful regular.

“This is like a 60-game little sprint to show everybody what you have,” Verdugo said. “I can play. There’s still room to grow — everybody has room to grow. I still want to continue to learn and continue to improve my strengths and improve my weaknesses.”

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @BillKoch25