Ortiz: 'Bogaerts is the best shortstop in the game by far'

David Ortiz might delay his retirement just to have a front-row seat to watch Xander Bogaerts the next few years.

The Boston Red Sox shortstop finished Saturday's 15-4 win over the Minnesota Twins 4-for-5 with a home run, three RBIs, and four runs scored, upping his batting average on the season to an American League-leading .358.

"Dude, he's on another level," Ortiz told reporters postgame. "That kid's on another level. It's nothing I have seen before. He's too good. He's way too good to believe. He's the best shortstop in the game by far. I throw him on top of any mother------ in the game. I throw him against any one right now in the league."

Coming off a 196-hit campaign, Bogaerts has put together a strong start to this season. The 23-year-old is hitting .358/.405/.529 with eight home runs, 43 RBIs, and 92 hits through his first 60 games.

He continues to leave the 20-year veteran Ortiz in awe on a daily basis.

"He's in the top tier best players in the game right now," Ortiz said. "No question. You tell me two players better than him in the game right now, more complete than him. I don't think there's that many. I'm having a blast watching him play."