Star prospect Jacoby Ellsbury, racing around the bases during last year’s ALCS, is not only lightning quick on the basepaths, but he’s also quick to pick up on any helpful hints or instructions that are presented to him.

The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach

FORT MYERS, Fla. — By its very nature, baseball is a game defined by failure.

The best hitters make outs 70 percent of the time. The best teams lose 40 percent of their games. The grinding, day-after-day nature demands commitment while virtually guaranteeing disappointment.

But try telling that to Jacoby Ellsbury, who has a knack for making a difficult game look easy.

What may be challenging to others looks natural for Ellsbury, who’s competing with Coco Crisp for the Red Sox’ starting center fielder’s spot.

An All-American at Oregon State, Ellsbury was the Red Sox’ No. 1 pick in the 2005 draft. He hit .317 in his first year of pro ball, then combined to hit .303, splitting time between Single A and Double A ball in his first full season.

He began last year by hitting a torrid .452 at Portland before quickly being promoted to Pawtucket where he .298 and successfully stole 33 bases in 39 tries.

From there, Ellsbury hit .353 in two short stints with the Red Sox, then capped his first major league season by hitting .438 in the World Series.

It’s a long-held belief among player development people that players can’t truly be evaluated until they experience failure. So, where does that leave Jacoby Ellsbury?

“Maybe,” said manager Terry Francona with a smile, “he already has and we just didn’t notice it.”

Regardless of the evidence, Ellsbury swears the game isn’t easy.

“I know how tough it is,” Ellsbury said on a recent morning. “It’s a very difficult game. You’re going to go through some tough times. The game definitely humbles you.”

He says the words earnestly, with conviction. And yet, the results belie his beliefs. If the game is so hard, how was Ellsbury able to steal a spot in the lineup in the middle of the American League Championship Series? How was it that someone with a grand total of 116 major league at-bats managed to compile an OPS (combined on-base percentage and slugging percentage) of 1.188 in the World Series.

Ellsbury is almost bashful when confronted with the evidence.

“I felt very fortunate to play well on the biggest stage,” he said.

What about downturns, or slumps, or lapses?

“Throughout a long season,’ he said. “you’re going to go a game or two without a hit. This game is very humbling.”

But even Ellsbury’s teammates marveled at how easily he seemed to make the transition.

“It had to be one of two things,” theorized J.D. Drew, like Ellsbury an All-American who was drafted with great expectations. “Either he was called up at just the right time when he was swinging the bat well … or he was operating on adrenaline.”

Drew was only half serious, of course. He understands Ellsbury’s immediate impact was not merely about good timing or emotion.

For one thing, there is Ellsbury’s speed, which is unmatched in the Red Sox system and perhaps unsurpassed in the game.

“Speed is always a huge benefit,” said Drew, “because it can keep you out of slumps. Remember that first game? He hit a grounder to short and beat it out because (the shortstop) didn’t know how fast he was.”

Drew cautions that Ellsbury will eventually have to make some adjustments.

“Up here,” he said, referring to the big leagues, “they find your weaknesses really fast. There’s video … advance scouts … they figure things out. Slumps are impossible to avoid.”

But in addition to relying on his speed, Ellsbury can count on the support of his teammates should he encounter struggles along the way.

“Our guys are very protective of one another,” said Francona, “They look out for guys. Once you prove you can help us win, they take care (of teammates).”

This spring, Ellsbury came to camp stronger, and if it’s possible, faster, thanks to some off-season training. He’s inquisitive and quick to input advice from others, including Crisp.

“He has a good head on his shoulders,” said Francona. “He asks good questions and he’s pretty unflappable. How many times do you find a kid like that?”

Rarely, which is why the Red Sox were so reluctant to part with him last winter, even if he could help them land pitching ace Johan Santana.

Some day — maybe next month, maybe in midseason — Ellsbury will encounter a slump that lasts longer than a game or two. Then the test will begin.

“It’s all about how he rebounds,” said Drew. “But I think he’s got enough of a positive attitude and mental toughness to handle it. He’ll pull through.”

Ellsbury terms his game “a work in progress. I’m trying to get better. I don’t know everything yet.”

So far, however, he could have fooled everyone else.