Padres looking to put anything that even smells like a baseball player in the outfield

by Dex on Jan 16, 2008 6:40 AM PST in News

Left field! Center field! It's up for grabs, boys! Chase Headley will begin to learn left field.

Headley, 23, will be joined by Matt Antonelli, Scott Hairston and Chad Huffman for a series of drills this week as the club tries to convert its top position prospect.

Scott Hairston and Antonelli are going to get looks at being converted to center fielders. Article doesn't say what Huffman will be doing, but it won't just be lookin' pretty. Nosireebob.

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We got Edmonds in CF

CF is not up for grabs - not yet anyway.

But I like the (possible) move with Headley to LF. Moving guys to LF is not so crazy - not for an athlete who can play 3B. Hairston to CF would allow some lineup flexibility against 'tough lefties.'

If you could put any Charger in LF, who would be most effective? I think maybe Cromartie.

by Billy Almon on Jan 16, 2008 11:06 AM PST reply actions

Cromartie wouldn't be good

He wouldn't throw the ball in from the outfield. He'd catch the ball and try to run it in every time.

by Dex on Jan 16, 2008 11:29 AM PST up reply actions

i want to

watch them take some practice at petco....the park at the park is usually open in the day times...i wonder if it is possible to watch

The Frequent Friar

by Peavyforprez08 on Jan 16, 2008 11:49 AM PST reply actions

Padre's Store

There's a small viewing area at the back of the Padres store. Kinda cool.

by friarfanatic on Jan 16, 2008 11:59 AM PST up reply actions

I tried

Walked the dog around 1:30 today, and by that time, there was nobody on the field except for the groundscrew doing something to the grass.

Maybe manana I will try going mid-morning to see if I can sneak a peek.

by jpleeg2 on Jan 16, 2008 3:45 PM PST up reply actions

Headley

I would definitely throw him there. Dude can rake.

by edmcd3 on Jan 17, 2008 8:09 AM PST reply actions

Re

another piece on it below. i didn't realize headley's OBP was that high in AAA last year. the pads have to get him in the lineup.

http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/01/17/padres-outfield-status-headley-antonelli-moving-in/

by edmcd3 on Jan 17, 2008 8:11 AM PST up reply actions

AA

you mean Headley's AA. He never went to AAA before or after being called up. Nonetheless, its still ridiculous!

I dont know if Headley is that athletic to make that transition. Usually players that start at 3rd in their career dont have the foot speed or just plain cant run. You dont see players going from 3rd to OF but the other way around. I can see Antonelli since he did make a rather smoother transition from 3rd to 2nd.

I would much rather get someone via trade then the experiment. This will definitely decide playoffs or not in 2008. Keep Headley and Antonelli in AAA and get them ready for 2009.

by frequentfriar on Jan 17, 2008 6:08 PM PST up reply actions

3B to OF

Not uncommon. Gary Sheffield. Chipper Jones. Rob Mackoviak types. There are a lot more I'm sure, but I can't think of many outfielders who learn infield at the major league level.

by Billy Almon on Jan 18, 2008 7:12 AM PST up reply actions