Rocco Baldelli stated in a radio interview this evening that he has been working out at first base during the offseason and there is a possibility he will see some time there this season.
Baldelli indicated he was fine with the prospect of playing first, although he has not done so since high school.
This is an interesting possibility, and makes great sense. Nothing more needs to be written about Baldelli’s curious fragility, but any way to keep his bat in the lineup while reducing the amount of motion he must attempt is a fine plan indeed.
February 4th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
I have never understood why 1B is considered less stressful than outfield. I know there is less running, but there seems to me to be more “violent” motion what with stretching and pivoting and the like. Particularly for a player not used to the position, it seems to me he is at greater danger of pulling something.
February 5th, 2008 at 11:06 am
It’ll be good him from him to learn a new position, just in case we ever need it in a pinch- I wouldn’t count this being a future move for Rocco, you have to run in every sport and if you can’t you shouldn’t play-simple as that
February 6th, 2008 at 12:57 am
Great point Jason about running. Many people have this myth that Baldelli injuries himself in the outfield, but most of his injuries came from running the bases.