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Xander Bogaerts gets his first taste of third base 02.19.13 at 2:05 pm ET
By Alex Speier

Xander Bogaerts (Darrell Snow/Greenville Drive)

FORT MYERS, Fla. — It wasn’t exactly a watershed, but it was a first. On Tuesday morning, for the first time in his career, Xander Bogaerts took groundballs at third base rather than shortstop as part of his preparation to play as a third baseman and designated hitter for Team Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic. He will also take groundballs at third on Wednesday before starting at third base in an exhibition game against Boston College on Thursday.

Sox manager John Farrell suggested that Bogaerts had a favorable first day of work at the position.

“[It was] just an early look today. Typically corner infielders are going to use a one-handed fielding technique, which he naturally went to, just moving to third base,” said Farrell. “He’s an infielder. He’s got a lot of natural ability and instincts there. We’ll get two days of work days with him and then get him into a game on Thursday.”

The shift is not without its challenges. Will Middlebrooks, for instance, needed months to become comfortable at third base when he moved there just prior to the start of his first professional assignment with the Lowell Spinners in 2008. The different demands on a third baseman are subtle but real. 

“There’s different angles. A shortstop’s got the ability, one, he’s further away from the ball so there’s more of an internal clock, and fielding the ball at its highest point in that last hop. Here, it’s more reactionary,” said Farrell. “There’s going to be a little bit of different angles to it. he’s going to end up playing balls more straight up rather than being able to come around the ball. He’ll come through a given play. Hands and feet are the same in terms of the timing of it. There’s no real concern. It’s just getting comfortable with the angle he’ll be seeing a ground ball.”

There can be benefit to even a brief introduction to third base. For instance, a year ago, the Orioles were able to move Manny Machado from short to third in the big leagues despite the fact that he’d played only two games at the position in the minor leagues thanks in part to the spring training instruction the phenom received at the position.

For now, with Will Middlebrooks in line to be the Sox’ everyday third baseman, the Sox do not foresee a big league need for Bogaerts at third base.

“The major difference between [Machado's situation last year and Bogaerts' this year] is there’s a pressing need there. Certainly, provided Will stays healthy, that need doesn’t exist here,” said Farrell. “At the same time, it’s an opportunity to expose [Bogaerts] to the position and see where things go as he and [Jose Iglesias] and others get deeper in their careers and where they ultimately end up. As a young guy, you don’t know how that body type is going to continue to mature physically, but by all indications, it seems like he can stay at shortstop.”

That, certainly, is the case for now. But if Middlebrooks should get injured, or if down the line Iglesias establishes himself as an everyday shortstop, the fact that Bogaerts is getting some exposure to a new position has the potential to carry with it a positive impact.

Read More: jose iglesias, Will Middlebrooks, xander bogaerts, Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WW4SUGV5J6Y7R5MVPAWVIWAJFU Dennis

    They’re not getting him ready for the world classic,they could care less.Everything isn’t as it seems,don’t be surprised if you see Middlebrook playing some first in ST. Just a thought.

  • Justoneguysopinion

    Why not move Middlebrooks to 1B after Napoli is gone and put Bogaerts at 3rd. That may be able to absorb the lack of offense from Iglesias and benefit from his lights out defense.

  • ALEXANDRIA

     COME ON U HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME BABE. COME ON PEOPLE LETS BE REALISTIC. SOME OF THE POSTS ARE JUST RIDICULOUS. OMG 

  • distiller

    Scouting has Bogaerts too heavy on his feet for SS. The 3B test is not a surprise.  He’s got a cannon for an arm and with less demanding footwork at 3B he could find himself a new home.    I’m sure the powers-that-be will be watching his 3B work in the WBC.

  • Johnny’s ex-wife….

    Alexandria, why all CAPS?  Are you frustrated from being so lonely?

  • Justoneguysopinion

    Be realistic? What is not realistic above moving a guy from 3B to 1B? Seems like it worked out well for Youkilis. Besides they’ve already moved Middlebrooks once, so it’s not like he’s been a third basemen his whole life. By your over reaction, you probably don’t get out of the house much so I’ll just leave it at that. Don’t forget to take your meds.

  • Sdfasd

    Because you’re drastically hurting both Bogaerts’ and Middlebrooks’ value by moving them down the defensive spectrum. If in two years they have a SS and a 3B who both rake, that’s the core of your team.

  • Juan

    We already have a 3rd baseman moronic front office.  You have had 50 shortstops since 04!!!!

  • anguillaman3

    Beltre is not walking through that door.

  • Bob_Ryan

    Last time I checked Alabama won the national championship not Rutgers. What is the fascination with all these Rutgers’ players?

  • Bruinman86

    Belichick maintains strong ties with Buccaneers
    coach Greg Schiano, who served as head coach at Rutgers from 2001-2011.
    Schiano is known as a hard-nosed, demanding coach, a style that likely
    translates well to the culture of the Patriots locker room.

    “I think the reason why Rutgers guys have success at the Patriots is
    because we’re built to play football on the field, but live like a
    professional off the field,” Ryan said after being selected Friday
    night. “That’s something that we’re taught, and that’s something that
    I’m going to bring to the Patriots organization.”

    Moreover, Belichick’s son Steve played lacrosse at Rutgers before
    joining Schiano’s squad as a long snapper in 2011, giving the elder
    Belichick an opportunity to visit central New Jersey.

    Steve Belichick is now a coaching assistant for the Patriots, but
    Ryan doesn’t believe there will be any problems posed by being coached
    by a former teammate.

    In addition to the younger Belichick, the Patriots had other resources in defensive back Devin McCourty and defensive end Justin Francis, who both played with Ryan and Harmon at Rutgers. Other former Scarlet Knights — including receiver Tiquan Underwood, defensive end Alex Silvestro and defensive back Nate Jones — have also called New England home.

  • Bob_Ryan

    If these guys are so good then why is it that Schiano doesn’t pick up any of these guys?

  • Anonymous

    I’ve been asking this for a year … what is Bellichick’s obsession with the Big East in general and Rutgers in particular??????

  • Titletown1

    OK, enough with the Rutgers B.S.

  • blueliner33

    Who cares if he drafts from Stonehill? Seems to me the Patriots have been on a very good run here.

  • Anonymous

    What’s your buddy’s half sister wearing?

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