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Dustin Pedroia should be ready

While he did not look spectacular during his brief debut last September, Dustin Pedroia is working hard to get ready for spring training.

Right now, I’m about 172 (pounds). Last year, I was 195 at the beginning of camp,” said the 5-foot-8 Pedroia. “Anytime you get opportunity like (potentially starting), you’re not going to let it go by. I’m just excited to get there. I haven’t been this excited in my whole life. I just want to get to spring training and let out all the hard work I have put in. I can’t wait for it.”

Seems like his performance, or lack there of, made an impression on him

“I learned a lot,” said Pedroia of his initiation to the majors. “Getting up there was a learning experience. It prepared me for what I needed to do to perform. I know when I got called up I was pretty worn down from the year. I was tired. It was late August and the whole shoulder thing from spring training had killed me because I couldn’t lift weights like I wanted to. My body kind of broke down at the end.

I wanted to make sure that wouldn’t happen (again), so I killed myself. I’m 100-percent healthy now and I can’t wait for the opportunity.”

Pedroia invested in his future by signing on to train at the prestigious Athletes Performance Institute in Arizona, a facility where teammates Kevin Youkilis, Curt Schilling and Kyle Snyder had all previously undergone intensive offseason workouts. Yet even before his intense offseason began, Pedroia showed signs he was intent sticking with Boston this season. In his final 40 at-bats last year, he hit a respectable .275, while claiming a .356 on-base percentage and only striking out twice.

So far he is doing all the right things. Lets hope his efforts pay dividends.

 
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