For Sox a Case of Arrested Development

Harkening all the way back to 2006, the Boston Red Sox braintrust called up the rookie second baseman, Dustin Pedroia, in September and he looked overmatched hitting a light .191. This did not stop General Manager Theo Epstein from handing Pedie the 2007 job outright, dumping the estimable Mark Loretta who hit.285 and delivered 181 hits in 06.
In this case it all fit together. Scouting, timing and the player in question (Pedroia) developing as predicted. Actually, the Bosox new second baseman was voted Rookie of the Year in 2007, batting .317 then followed it up with a Most Valuable Player award in 2008.
The current Sox potential phenoms are not repeats of the Pedroia Phenomenon to put the words kindly. Will Middlebrooks, Jackie Bradley, Jr., Xander Bogaerts, and Felix Doubront- all expected to play big roles in the transition from the 2013 World Series have not delivered.
A brief history on each:
Middlebrooks, the heir apparent to third base after a breakout rookie season of 2012 when he hit.288 with 15 home runs and 54 RBI in 75 games, has been hurt and scuffling since, batting .212. He’s getting what’s likely his final chance to nail down a job for next season.
Bradley, Jr, a wizard with the glove in center field, suffered through an 0-35 slump and has been demoted to Pawtucket. Remember this was the same guy who was the rock star of spring training 2013, bashing and being hyped like a young Willie Mays. He crashed once the season started (.189) and this year lugged a .216 BA in 112 games to AAA.
Bogaerts came up late in 2013, made some innocuous pinch running appearances then delivered a .296 BA in the postseason, coming up clutch in big spots, showing poise and ability far beyond his 21 years. So in 2014 Bogaerts starts hot at shortstop then plummets when Boston re-signs Stephen Drew (moving Bogaerts to 3B.) A cache of bonehead plays and 18 errors ensued and now he’s disabled with a concussion.
Doubront was banished to the Chicago Cubs just before the trade deadline after he balked at a return to the bullpen after being a starting pitcher. He wrote his ticket to Chi-town when he pouted his way to 6 earned runs in .2 of an inning versus Toronto in late July. Doubront, if you recall, won 22 games during 2012-2013, averaging 153 strikeouts per season.
What is it about these four- all counted upon to soften the blow of losing free agents after the title run of 2013?
Is there a culture of pressure and non-support emanating from the Fenway fan faithful? Are these players not as promising as advertised? Is there some gap in the developmental process among coaches, management, the front office?
Why are these players performing so badly? Is it their own fault for being, perhaps, pampered, rushed too soon to the bigs with exaggerated expectations?
The Bosox need answers or 2015 could be another flirtation with last place.