Diamondbacks Backup Shortstop Role Still Up For Grabs
As we've highlighted before here at Inside the Diamondbacks, the backup shortstop role remains the prize at the end of an intense battle between veterans and young studs alike.
While Geraldo Perdomo has been confirmed to retain starting shortstop duties by manager Torey Lovullo, there has not yet been a decision made surrounding who will back him up, and names are being added to the mix by the day.
As of now, players who could see reps at shortstop include top prospect Jordan Lawlar, a Spring Training stud in Blaze Alexander, veterans in Jace Peterson and Kevin Newman, and natural 3B Emmanuel Rivera.
Also in the mix is recent signee and long-time veteran Elvis Andrus, who just signed a minor league deal with a Spring invite. Lovullo said Andrus will have an immediate opportunity to enter the ring for the backup role.
"With him playing the way he can, his name is going enter those conversations, that's my expectation, and he will get an opportunity, and that's all he asked for," Lovullo said.
Lovullo's expectations for a potential backup shortstop are simple. The skipper is looking for consistency, and for the D-backs to be able to pick up right where the starter may have left off defensively.
“Pick up the baseball. Just pick it up and play shortstop the way the starter does. And hold serve while the starter’s down. That, to me, is a huge priority, so consistency on the defensive aspect, and then put up a quality at-bat. I don't care if you're right- or left-handed, I just need somebody to go out there and pick up the baseball without this team going backwards…"
Lawlar has made a few plays at the shortstop position, and although he is only 2-for-9, one of those hits was a towering solo home run. He's also walked three times in five games.
Alexander has had a solid Spring, making a few stunning plays defensively, while hitting 7-for-16 (.438) so far with a double and two triples. Peterson had an excellent debut, going 2-for-3 with 2 RBI, but landed on the injury report with right wrist inflammation.
While Newman, who tends to be a light hitter, might not be dazzling to the everyday fan in Spring so far (2-for-15), Lovullo did praise the veteran's performance thus far on both sides.
“[I've seen] a lot of versatility, a really good game clock, great game understanding. And specifically playing shortstop, he’s moving at a good pace and making his plays, he’s been very dependable on that side of the ball. Offensively, I've seen a handful of at-bats, and he's been barreling it up, he’s doing a really nice job, doing all he can so far."
But regardless of who is performing well, or not, Lovullo said the job is very much still up for grabs. No decision has been made, and each candidate is still in the running for the role.
"You're going to still see Jace get some reps over there and Rivera, we want to take a look at everything. You've got Lawlar, you've got Newman, Blaze, and others. Everybody’s in the mix right now. If it’s not 'A,' it might be 'B,' it’ll give 'A' a chance to play somewhere else, so we’re going to be as strong and sound defensively as we possibly can be."
While the position can only go to one player, the D-backs have a solid group of infield depth and a plethora of players who may be able to contribute when called upon, in a variety of potential infield roles.
