yagsy
02-28-2005, 01:37 PM
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/sd/news/sd_news.jsp?ymd=20050227&content_id=952234&vkey=spt2005news&fext=.jsp
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/images/2005/02/27/IuZjBznj.jpg
Xavier Nady plans to make the most of whatever opportunities he gets. (Elaine Thompson/AP)
Nady to try on many gloves
Youngster accepts utility role as he waits for big chance
By John Schlegel / MLB.com
PEORIA, Ariz. -- If Xavier Nady needs any advice about adjusting to his role as a utility player heading into the 2005 season, he doesn't have to look very far.
Right next door in the Padres' clubhouse at Spring Training sits Geoff Blum, who has played all four infield positions in each of the last five years. Down a couple of spots is Mark Sweeney, a veteran who has played first base and outfield. Eric Young and Damian Jackson know what it's like to perform off the bench at different spots as well.
And then there's Phil Nevin, who turned his career around by taking the utility approach when he first came to the Padres in 1999.
Nevin, now one of the team's core players and its cleanup hitter, says Nady already is well past where he was when he made the switch.
"The biggest difference is he's taking the right approach," said Nevin, a No. 1 overall draft pick whose career was on the brink at the time of his switch. "I was more bitter about not getting a chance to play. I've told him about my situation, and I hope he's learned from that."
Sounds like he has.
"I'm excited just to be out there in the mix and have the opportunity to play," Nady said Sunday.
Among the other differences for the 26-year-old Nady is that there's little question where this is headed, and it's not toward a career as a utility player.
"I think of X as an everyday player eventually," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. "This is just something we're doing now."
Said Blum, who at 32 has been doing the utility thing pretty much since he broke into the Majors, "It was a little bit different for me. They're trying to find a place in the lineup for Xavier. They want him in the lineup. When I had my opportunity, I did it more to try and get in the lineup."
Of course, that's much the same thing Nady is trying to do with this temporary foray into a utility role.
A second-round pick in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft -- he was actually considered a higher pick in terms of talent but teams considered his signability questionable -- Nady was the Padres' starting right fielder most of 2003 before hitting the skids in the summer and being demoted to Triple-A Portland. That's where he spent most of last year as well, batting .330 with 22 homers and a .629 slugging percentage.
With the Padres' outfield set heading into this season, Nady was asked to give a utility role a chance.
"I'm going to have the opportunity to play and I'll still have to produce at this level," Nady said. "I'm pretty optimistic that when I get my chance and do well, I'll open up some eyes."
Bochy, who has a well-earned reputation for keeping his bench guys sharp, intends to get Nady as many at-bats as he can. First, Nady will spend a lot of time working this spring with hitting coach Dave Magadan, who is targeting the loop Nady sometimes falls into with his swing.
In the field, third base is the position Nady has focused on the most, though Sean Burroughs is the incumbent starter. That's the position Nady played as a sophomore and junior at Cal, and has been getting as much time there as he can since the Arizona instructional league.
But that's not the only place he's working on his defense. Along with the one he uses for third base, Nady brings a first baseman's and an outfielder's glove to each workout. "Hopefully, that's it for a while," Nady said with a smile.
The biggest adjustment is actually just getting it all in. But since it's part of the plan to get him into an everyday role down the road, Nady does it with spring in his step.
Nevin is among those who know it will all be worth it in the end.
"That time's going to come, whether it's now or later," said Nevin, who played first, third, outfield and even catcher. "Mine didn't come until I was 29, 30 years old."
But when it did, it opened up Nevin's path to stardom -- at last.
This isn't exactly the road Nady or the organization might have imagined for him, but for now, this little detour is just part of the big picture of Nady becoming an everyday player in the big leagues for a long time to come.
"I think it just makes you a stronger player," Nady said. "The game's a whole learning experience. It's not supposed to be easy. You've got to put in the work and figure out what's going to help you out."
Notes: Corey Smith, the 22-year-old third baseman acquired from Cleveland on Feb. 1, suffered a fractured right index finger taking grounders and will have to refrain from throwing for three weeks. ... The Padres have scrapped their intrasquad game scheduled for Tuesday, opting instead to play a "B" game against the Mariners on one of the Padres' practice fields. About 10 Padres pitchers will get a chance to pitch in that one, perhaps including starters Woody Williams and Brian Lawrence. ... Adam Eaton is slated to start the charity game against the Mariners on Thursday, with Jake Peavy on board to make the start in the Cactus League opener against the Angels on Friday. ... Bochy said it's likely Eaton will pitch the second game of the regular season in Colorado after Williams makes the Opening Day start. Then, after Peavy goes in the home opener, Lawrence will pitch the second home game.
John Schlegel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/images/2005/02/27/IuZjBznj.jpg
Xavier Nady plans to make the most of whatever opportunities he gets. (Elaine Thompson/AP)
Nady to try on many gloves
Youngster accepts utility role as he waits for big chance
By John Schlegel / MLB.com
PEORIA, Ariz. -- If Xavier Nady needs any advice about adjusting to his role as a utility player heading into the 2005 season, he doesn't have to look very far.
Right next door in the Padres' clubhouse at Spring Training sits Geoff Blum, who has played all four infield positions in each of the last five years. Down a couple of spots is Mark Sweeney, a veteran who has played first base and outfield. Eric Young and Damian Jackson know what it's like to perform off the bench at different spots as well.
And then there's Phil Nevin, who turned his career around by taking the utility approach when he first came to the Padres in 1999.
Nevin, now one of the team's core players and its cleanup hitter, says Nady already is well past where he was when he made the switch.
"The biggest difference is he's taking the right approach," said Nevin, a No. 1 overall draft pick whose career was on the brink at the time of his switch. "I was more bitter about not getting a chance to play. I've told him about my situation, and I hope he's learned from that."
Sounds like he has.
"I'm excited just to be out there in the mix and have the opportunity to play," Nady said Sunday.
Among the other differences for the 26-year-old Nady is that there's little question where this is headed, and it's not toward a career as a utility player.
"I think of X as an everyday player eventually," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. "This is just something we're doing now."
Said Blum, who at 32 has been doing the utility thing pretty much since he broke into the Majors, "It was a little bit different for me. They're trying to find a place in the lineup for Xavier. They want him in the lineup. When I had my opportunity, I did it more to try and get in the lineup."
Of course, that's much the same thing Nady is trying to do with this temporary foray into a utility role.
A second-round pick in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft -- he was actually considered a higher pick in terms of talent but teams considered his signability questionable -- Nady was the Padres' starting right fielder most of 2003 before hitting the skids in the summer and being demoted to Triple-A Portland. That's where he spent most of last year as well, batting .330 with 22 homers and a .629 slugging percentage.
With the Padres' outfield set heading into this season, Nady was asked to give a utility role a chance.
"I'm going to have the opportunity to play and I'll still have to produce at this level," Nady said. "I'm pretty optimistic that when I get my chance and do well, I'll open up some eyes."
Bochy, who has a well-earned reputation for keeping his bench guys sharp, intends to get Nady as many at-bats as he can. First, Nady will spend a lot of time working this spring with hitting coach Dave Magadan, who is targeting the loop Nady sometimes falls into with his swing.
In the field, third base is the position Nady has focused on the most, though Sean Burroughs is the incumbent starter. That's the position Nady played as a sophomore and junior at Cal, and has been getting as much time there as he can since the Arizona instructional league.
But that's not the only place he's working on his defense. Along with the one he uses for third base, Nady brings a first baseman's and an outfielder's glove to each workout. "Hopefully, that's it for a while," Nady said with a smile.
The biggest adjustment is actually just getting it all in. But since it's part of the plan to get him into an everyday role down the road, Nady does it with spring in his step.
Nevin is among those who know it will all be worth it in the end.
"That time's going to come, whether it's now or later," said Nevin, who played first, third, outfield and even catcher. "Mine didn't come until I was 29, 30 years old."
But when it did, it opened up Nevin's path to stardom -- at last.
This isn't exactly the road Nady or the organization might have imagined for him, but for now, this little detour is just part of the big picture of Nady becoming an everyday player in the big leagues for a long time to come.
"I think it just makes you a stronger player," Nady said. "The game's a whole learning experience. It's not supposed to be easy. You've got to put in the work and figure out what's going to help you out."
Notes: Corey Smith, the 22-year-old third baseman acquired from Cleveland on Feb. 1, suffered a fractured right index finger taking grounders and will have to refrain from throwing for three weeks. ... The Padres have scrapped their intrasquad game scheduled for Tuesday, opting instead to play a "B" game against the Mariners on one of the Padres' practice fields. About 10 Padres pitchers will get a chance to pitch in that one, perhaps including starters Woody Williams and Brian Lawrence. ... Adam Eaton is slated to start the charity game against the Mariners on Thursday, with Jake Peavy on board to make the start in the Cactus League opener against the Angels on Friday. ... Bochy said it's likely Eaton will pitch the second game of the regular season in Colorado after Williams makes the Opening Day start. Then, after Peavy goes in the home opener, Lawrence will pitch the second home game.
John Schlegel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.