Boston Red Sox supervisor Alex Cora hasn’t but totally dedicated to Caleb Durbin as his every-day third baseman, however he is warming as much as the concept because the offseason commerce acquisition will get extra reps there throughout spring coaching.
“We’ll in all probability resolve that subsequent week, however I really feel very snug with him at third base,” Cora advised reporters Tuesday at their spring coaching camp in Fort Myers, Florida.
The Purple Sox, who’ve a emptiness on the place after free agent Alex Bregman signed with the Chicago Cubs, acquired the right-handed-hitting Durbin from the Milwaukee Brewers in a six-player trade simply at some point earlier than camp opened in February.
Durbin, 25, completed third in Nationwide League Rookie of the Yr voting final yr after successful Milwaukee’s third-base job within the wake of a commerce from the New York Yankees, who had despatched him to the Brewers within the Devin Williams commerce.
This spring, Durbin has shared time with Marcelo Mayer at each third base and second base, however Durbin has gotten the vast majority of begins at third of late.
“Generally we make a giant deal out of spring coaching and positions,” Cora advised reporters Tuesday. “… I do not assume since you take 5 floor balls at third base makes you a greater third baseman. There’s greater than comes into play — metrics, your first step, projections — however I feel, on the finish of the day, it is who we really feel extra snug with and which place and in addition the participant.
“I do not need Caleb to be shifting from second to 3rd in the course of the season. I would like him to play one place solely after which simply go do your factor on the plate.”
Durbin, who hit .256 with 11 dwelling runs and 53 RBIs final season, was praised by Cora for his defensive play throughout Monday’s spring coaching recreation towards the Philadelphia Phillies.
“I’ve seen quite a lot of third basemen with cannons at third base, however their footwork isn’t nice,” Cora mentioned. “This child has an amazing arm and nice footwork.”
