Looking to give him more chances to play, the A’s are reportedly set to get second baseman Zack Gelof some time on the grass this spring in an effort to boost his versatility.
Which makes sense! Offseason acquisition Jeff McNeil looks like he’ll be getting the majority of the reps at second base (with an occasional appearance at third in the cards as well). That means unless Gelof is hoping for an injury, he’s not going to be lining up at his primary position anytime soon.
In the majors second base is the only position Gelof has played. He did begin his professional career as a third baseman so he has some experience there in the minor leagues. While the A’s are still unsettled at the hot corner he hasn’t gotten meaningful playing time at the position since ‘22.
Getting him some reps at the hot corner this spring seemed like a no-brainer entering camp but the A’s are apparently thinking bigger than that. With the recent departure of Max Schuemann the A’s don’t have a super-utility player on their roster. If the A’s can add some outfield (namely center field) to Gelof’s bag of tools that makes the Athletics’ roster all the more flexible. It’d also add another layer of security in case a younger guy like Colby Thomas, Carlos Cortes or Junior Perez isn’t ready for a part-time role.
Several players have made a successful conversion from the dirt to the grass in recent years, most recently the Padres’ Jackson Merrill (formerly a shortstop, now an elite center fielder) and our very own Tyler Soderstrom (once a catcher, then a first baseman, now a Gold Glove finalist in left field). The Diamondbacks are attempting a position switch with their own prized infield prospect as well, getting shortstop Jordan Lawler reps in center field this spring. Lawler and Merrill are fast guys but Gelof’s no slouch himself, swiping 25 bags just two years ago.
The transition that Gelof is going to attempt to make has been done in the past, and Gelof is enough of an athlete that he should be able to handle himself decently well as he gets used to an unfamiliar position. How well he hits will be the ultimate factor in how long he holds a roster spot but adding more positions other than second base can only help boost his value to the club this coming season.
So how do you guys think the Gelof-to-the-outfield experiment will work? Discuss and debate below in the comments!
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