PORTLAND — In the famous Abbott and Costello routine, we all know who plays first base — “Who’s on First.”

But do you remember the “nickname” for the third baseman.

“I don’t know.”

How appropriate for Boston.

The Red Sox have an abundance of third base potential and, at the same time, have had to fill the position with minor league free agents (Brad Snyder and Jonathan Diaz).

While Snyder has had some big hits, the Red Sox would love for Will Middlebrooks to regain his form. He showed signs of that last Wednesday (4-for-4, two home runs, eight RBI).

When Middlebrooks struggled in the majors (.192 average), Jose Iglesias took over. While his .410 average is staggering, he does not provide the power you would like to see at the position (i.e., Iglesias will not be batting fifth to “protect” David Ortiz).

Iglesias moved back to shortstop when Stephen Drew hurt his hamstring. When Drew is healthy, Iglesias will likely go back to third.

But what if Middlebrooks keeps pounding away in Pawtucket? Doesn’t he have to be brought back up?

So who would play third base? (Here is where Bud Abbott says, “I don’t know.”)

Iglesias, it seems, needs to stay in the lineup. If Middlebrooks also gets hot, then manager John Farrell has some balancing with those two whiz kids and veterans Drew and first baseman Mike Napoli, who hit his first home run in over a month Friday night.

Middlebrooks could go to first base. While it is too early to give up on Napoli, if he cannot consistently re-discover his swing, the Red Sox need a right-handed power-hitting first baseman (which brings us back to a slugger protecting Ortiz).

Another, eventual option also resides in Pawtucket. When Middlebrooks had his big night last Wednesday, he was the PawSox designated hitter. Playing third base was Xander Bogaerts.

Bogaerts only moved from Portland to Triple-A two weeks ago. He’s batting .234 with a .337 on-base percentage (OBP) through Friday. He batted .176 in his first nine games. In his next 12 games, he’s batting .279 with a .392 OBP.

The gifted Bogaerts has demonstrated an ability to adjust at every level he is sent to. Why not try him in the major leagues this year?

If we want to muddle matters further, we can talk about the future, and throw in new Sea Dogs third baseman Garin Cecchini. In his first 13 games with Portland, Cecchini is batting .383, with a .508 on-base percentage.

* * *

Michael Almanzar has not been mentioned in the mix, even though the Sea Dogs corner infielder was named to the Eastern League All-Star team. But since Cecchini’s promotion, Almanzar has played third base only four times (usually serving as DH the other times).

Almanzar is only 22. He is batting .283 with 11 home runs, after a solid season last year in Salem. Almanzar is not only Rule V eligible, he will be a minor league free agent after the 2014 season.

With so many other corner infielders, Almanzar may become a trading chip.

Almanzar, by the way, has been invited to participate in the All-Star home run derby before the game Wednesday.

* * *

Matt Spring became one of five Sea Dogs named to the Eastern League All-Star Game, which will be played in New Britain, Conn. The league decided the East team needed a third catcher and Spring had the best numbers of the available players, even though another Portland catcher, Christian Vazquez, was already on the team.

Manager Kevin Boles told Spring last Tuesday that he was an All-Star.

“I thought he was joking,” Spring said. “It’s just a great honor. I’m excited.”

“I was just going to hang out here (during the All-Star break) and play a little golf. I much rather be there.”

Spring, 28, is batting .262 with an .824 OPS (combined on-base percentage and slugging average).

* * *

The All-Star Game features two Sea Dogs pitchers — Anthony Ranaudo and Will Latimer, who was named after All-Star Drake Britton was promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday.

There is still no word on whether Ranaudo will be able to pitch Wednesday. He was also selected for the prestigious Major League All-Stars Futures Game July 14 in New York. Ranaudo said he could still pitch in New Britain, since it would only be a one-inning appearance.

Drake Britton is scheduled to start for the Sea Dogs this Monday at Hadlock Field, so he was doubtful for the Eastern League game anyway. It looks like he might make his Triple-A debut on Tuesday..

Latimer gives the East squad a lefty out of the bullpen.

* * *

Travis Shaw is not going to the All-Star game. A slow start prevented that. But Shaw’s numbers are climbing, He is batting .235 with 10 home runs and a with a .363 on-base percentage.

Since June 13, Shaw is batting .310 (22-for-71) with six home runs, and an on-base percentage of .417.

“The swing feels really good and I’m confident,” Shaw said. “Every time I come to the plate, I feel something good is going to happen.”