Take for instance Todd Frazier, a rising star in the Cincinnati Reds minor-league system. He has always hit wherever he’s been — including with the Dayton Dragons for 30 games last season and the final week of 2007.
But what position does the 6-foot-3 former shortstop play? The Reds let him stay at shortstop — where he played at Rutgers University — through the first 16 games last season (he also acted as a designated hitter a time or two), then began to experiment.
Frazier was used at first base, third and finally left field, staying at one position no more than two straight games before being promoted to Class A Sarasota, Fla.
Eventually, he found his way to left field, where he began this season at Class AA Carolina.
But at the end of July, Frazier was moved mostly to second base.
Those are some dramatic moves for a player the Reds are counting on for their big-league club, but it happens at all levels and to all kinds of players.
You might have thought Kevyn Feiner didn’t look like much of a player for the Dragons last season at second base. He didn’t hit much and he didn’t appear to cover much ground in the field, either.
Feiner is 22 — just a kid, really — but in baseball, you want to find that age at “high” A and about to move to Class AA. Feiner did start the season at high A Sarasota, but soon was moved to the Dragons, promoted back and returned.
He has become one of Dragons manager Todd Benzinger’s favorites, and not just because he is hitting better than .300 and is a good influence in the clubhouse.
Benzinger needed a third baseman, and Feiner filled in. Benzinger needed a left fielder, and Feiner filled in.
Monday night, Aug. 10, in Lansing, Mich., Benzinger said Feiner played one of the best games at third base he had ever seen. Tuesday night in Dayton, Benzinger repeated his praise for Feiner after a couple of big plays in left field.
There also is the case of first baseman Mike Konstanty, who thinks of himself as a position player first.
Last week, Benzinger and his coaches asked Konstanty to take a round in the bullpen to see if he could pitch. He could, reaching 90 mph on the gun with good control.
Konstanty was actually used an inning in a game at Lansing. He walked one and struck out one, allowing no other runners.
If nothing else, this extra ability will keep him around another spring training or so.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2157 or mkatz@DaytonDailyNews.com.
About the Author