We All Want A Steal

Written by Paul meyer

Sunday, 16 March 2008

We all love the stolen base form a middle infielder. Well.....I got one for ya!! It may be 2nd base or it may be SS, but it will happen this year and when he's eligible, grab him for steals

By Paul Meyer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes about kid who will be up this year:

One player's pain is another player's gain in camp this spring.

While incumbent second baseman Freddy Sanchez continues to rehabilitate his aching right shoulder, Brian Bixler has the opportunity to expand his resume in his long shot bid to make the opening day roster as a backup middle infielder.

Bixler, the Pirates' second-round draft pick in 2004, is getting opportunities to continue his second base education after beginning to add that position last season.

Drafted as a shortstop out of Eastern Michigan, Bixler played exclusively at that position until he debuted at second base May 16 with Class AAA Indianapolis.

"I think [the move] was basically designed to increase his value and allow more options for the decision-making process and allow him to be that option in two places instead of one," said Indianapolis manager Trent Jewett.

"I think as a rule second base is a less demanding position from a physical standpoint, although not necessarily mentally. I think at times it was less of a burden on him to be able to go there once a week or so to not only learn the position but take a break from the demands of shortstop."

Bixler, 25, made 16 starts at second base and played an International League-leading 113 games at shortstop. The heavy workload hurt his batting average -- it fell steadily from well above .300 to a final .274 -- but that workload helped him learn the intricacies of playing both positions.

"I think also in a very complex way you're able to teach yourself something about playing shortstop through the eyes of being a second baseman," Jewett said. "In a lot of regards, it has been beneficial. As intelligent a kid as he is, he's probably getting a lot out of it."

"It's not too big a transition," Bixler said. "When you first start, the throwing angles are different. Turning the double play is probably the hardest thing because at shortstop you have everything in front of you going toward the bag.

"At second, everything's kind of behind you and you don't see it."

What's behind the second baseman on the double play is the baserunner charging toward him intent on breaking up the play.

The Pirates say they believe Bixler, a career .284 hitter in the minor leagues, could have a future as a backup middle infielder in the major leagues.

"They want me to be a little more versatile, be able to play a couple different spots, that it could help me in the future," Bixler said. "But they told me they like me at short. A few years ago, they just wanted me to stay at shortstop and that was fine with me.

"I'm not real sure where they stand on that [now]. I sort of feel they still want me to be an everyday guy. Possibly not. We'll see."

Bixler has made a steady rise through the Pirates' minor-league system. Last season was his first at Class AAA, and it's highly likely that's where he'll begin this season.

But he is in the mix to make the big club.

"I think anytime you have a well-rounded player like him, it makes the decisions tougher," Jewett said. "I think that's a positive. I think he's always going to be in the mix. When the time's right and his opportunity is there, I wouldn't put anything past him."

Meanwhile, Sanchez continues to have a second consecutive spring that isn't a full spring.

Last year, he contended with a sprained right knee after he was hit by a runner while making a double play in a March 6 exhibition game against Philadelphia.

This year, he's having lingering pain in his right shoulder after arthroscopic surgery in September. He has yet to play in the field, although that could happen Sunday or Monday.

"It's very frustrating," Sanchez said. "You want to have a full spring and prepare for the season. There's pain. If there was no pain, I'd be out on the field."

At least this spring, Sanchez can be a designated hitter and get in some at-bats. He went 0 for 4 yesterday in the Pirates' 4-1 loss to Toronto. Sanchez is 9 for 27 this spring.

"The knee was a lot different than this is," he said. "It helps being able to get my at-bats and see pitches. From that standpoint, I feel like I'm ahead of the game compared to last spring.

"I think if I can get a good week of defense, I'll be fine."

Lenny..Nice pick if you can stash him