Bailey

PAWTUCKET — A year ago at this time the Pawtucket Red Sox were in fifth place, 5½ games back in the International League North Division.

While that may seem subpar to most organizations, as far as Red Sox management was concerned, it didn’t matter. It’s not about wins and losses. Development is first and foremost in the Boston organization.

That philosophy hasn’t changed — and won’t anytime soon — but the PawSox have found a way to mix development and winning this season.

Entering last night’s game against the Columbus Clippers at McCoy Stadium, Pawtucket was tied with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees for the top spot in the division with a 44-30 record. Plus, PawSox manager Ron Johnson has sent 11 different players to Boston this season, while keeping Pawtucket atop the division.

So what has changed in the last calendar year?

“Chemistry has a lot to do with it,” said PawSox pitcher David Pauley. “Everybody on this team respects each other and everyone gets along. Everyone is pushing for each other and you can see that when someone gets called up to the big leagues. Everyone is really happy for him. … It makes it more fun to go out there and play. We’re just having fun and not worried about what’s going on above us.”

Having an explosive offense and solid pitching helps, too.

PawSox position players rank among the leaders in home runs, RBI, hits, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and extra-base hits. Jeff Bailey has 19 home runs, 51 RBI, 36 extra-base hits and 54 runs scored.

Teammate Jonathan Van Every has 15 homers and 51 runs scored, while Chris Carter has 14 homers, 49 RBI and 32 extra-base hits. George Kottaras has 11 home runs and 36 RBI.

There’s no denying the PawSox’ power at the plate, which makes first-year hitting coach Russ Morman’s job a bit easier. The club’s pitching staff has also been consistent this season under first-year pitching coaching Rich Sauveur.

Pauley and teammate Charlie Zink are tied for third-best in the league, with eight wins. Zink boasts a fourth-best 88 1/3 innings worked.

“I think they do a great job,” Johnson said, referring to Morman and Sauveur. “The proof is in the pudding and you can see the results we’re getting. Obviously the people who were here before [hitting coach Mark Budaska and pitching coach Mike Griffin] I respect and they’re my friends, but sometimes I think change is good and change is needed. Their daily interaction brings a lot of energy to the team.”

Another important element that doesn’t show up in the standings and goes almost unnoticed outside the clubhouse has been the addition of a strength-and-conditioning coach for the PawSox this season. This is the first time the PawSox have had a full-time strength guy on staff and Carl Kochan has made a difference.

“Carl has been a tremendous asset to this organization and this club,” said Johnson. “He’s organized and locked in on a daily basis. He’s a really good guy for this job. Let’s face it, if you’re a strength-and-conditioning guy for a professional baseball team in the minor leagues, you’re going to take a lot of [fuss] from a lot of people. Carl has a way of letting things slide and he doesn’t let that stuff bother him. I’ve been really impressed.”

While the field staff has helped, ultimately it’s the players on the diamond who get the job done. It all started at the beginning of spring training, according to Pauley.

“A lot of guys came in with the thought of making a name for ourselves this year,” he said. “We’re not just a team to develop and make it to the big leagues; we’re here to win and show we belong in the big leagues.”

There’s still plenty of baseball to be played and many more roster moves to be made before the 2008 season is complete. Where the PawSox finish remains to be seen, but it’s a safe bet they will be battling for a spot in the postseason come September.

“We have a nice blend here right now,” Johnson said.

The standings, for once, indicate that.

jmcdonal@projo.com