New team, new position: no problem for Mets third baseman Bo Bichette
Photo credit: New York Mets - x.com
A former member of the Toronto Blue Jays seems to be adapting well to his new circumstances.
It was only a matter of time until Bo Bichette stopped playing shortstop. When he returned from injury to play in the World Series, he moved to 2nd base for the first time in his career. Still it was a bit surprising that upon signing his three year deal with the New York Mets earlier this month, it was announced that he would to third base.
Carlos Mendoza is already overseeing Bo Bichette 3B workouts, and Mendoza likes what he sees. Full show: Mendy on Freddy, Pete, Devin, more. Bader on his new home in SF (and Philly)
Bo earning positive reviews for his footwork
Third base in different than shortstop and playing on the corner is much different than playing up the middle.
At least one person is a fan of his adjustment: his new manger Carlos Mendoza.
We're looking at a guy that has played shortstop his whole career -- watching him today moving around third, taking grounders, creating angles, and just the throws to first I was telling him, 'It looks like you've played here before.
Bichette isn't the only player on his team that will be learning a new role. New York is also shifting Jorge Polanco to first base.
The Dominican is a middle infielder by trade - and also has experience at third - and has exactly one pitch of experience at first.
The overhaul has been part of a well-documented shift by General Manager David Stearns to improve his club's run prevention.
There's no question we're asking two guys to learn some new positions. We're also asking two guys with very high baseball aptitudes who are good athletes who have spent the majority of their careers at the shortstop position to learn new positions on the dirt. There are going to be learning curves.
While Bichette has always been known for his bat over his glove, the main that impressed Mendoza was his foot-work and ball-handing abilities.
Still, Blue Jays fans will be in for a shock when the Mets visit Rogers Centre in june.
Also read on Blue Jays Central :
Interview: Blue Jays' Louis Varland reflects on being traded to Toronto, setting postseason record
Interview: Blue Jays' Louis Varland reflects on being traded to Toronto, setting postseason record
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 27|59 ANSWERS New team, new position: no problem for Mets third baseman Bo Bichette Do you think Bo Bichette will be a better third baseman than he was a shortstop? | ||
| Yes | 16 | 27.1 % |
| No | 43 | 72.9 % |
| List of polls | ||