Similar to Eugenio Suárez moving from third base to shortstop for the Reds on Tuesday, going from second base to third base was a sort of homecoming for Mike Moustakas.
Moustakas was an All-Star third baseman for the Royals and Brewers before he signed with Cincinnati ahead of the 2020 season to play second base. During an 11-7 loss to the Rockies, Moustakas was 0-for-3 while making his first start of spring at the hot corner.
Impressed with Su¨¢rez¡¯s conditioning, manager David Bell wanted to give him a shot at his original position of shortstop -- which he last played regularly in 2015. Meanwhile, the changes also could give prospect Jonathan India an opportunity to debut in the Majors as the second baseman on Opening Day.
¡°The flexibility we have in our infield is really nice, especially with Geno being able to come and play shortstop. I knew it was a possibility,¡± said Moustakas, in the second season of his four-year, $64 million contract. ¡°Today was fun. Looking over at Geno at short, he looks good over there. For me, I¡¯ve played third base for basically all of my career, so I felt good over there. Taking ground balls, it was nice to get in a game and be back at third.¡±
Moustakas, 32, feels more comfortable at third base and believed that comfort could translate to better performance both offensively and defensively.
¡°I¡¯ve played third base for the last 12 years, counting the Minor Leagues,¡± Moustakas said. ¡°It was nice to be able to go over there and play in a game today and obviously, I feel really comfortable over there, probably the most comfortable I feel on the ball field. For Geno, it¡¯s nice for him to get over to shortstop.¡±
India feels no pressure
One factor in changing the infield makeup was the improvement of India, whom MLB Pipeline ranks as Cincinnati¡¯s No. 5 prospect. The 24-year-old was in Minor League camp before his promotion to big league camp last week. His showing this spring has moved him from roster long shot to having a serious chance.
¡°Of course, it¡¯s pretty cool to see them put my name in the lineup with the big league guys,¡± India said. "I¡¯m not trying to worry about that. I¡¯m going to go out there and play the game I know how to play still. You can¡¯t look ahead and say this is the lineup for the year. You just can¡¯t think like that. I¡¯m grateful for the opportunity, of course.¡±
India was the No. 5 overall selection by the Reds in the 2018 Draft as a third baseman. He didn¡¯t begin playing second base regularly until he turned professional. He planned on having fun with a potential chance of making his big league debut on Opening Day.
¡°I try not to put pressure on myself, ever, in this game. If you put pressure on yourself, it¡¯s not going to end well for you in baseball,¡± India said.
India has a fan in Su¨¢rez, who has been watching his work. When India hit his first spring homer on March 5, Su¨¢rez sent him a message saying he loved his swing.
¡°When we talk about Jonathan, this is one of my favorite guys right now,¡± Su¨¢rez said. ¡°I like the way he swings, the way he prepares his body. I haven't seen much at second base, but I have seen him taking at-bats and he can hit. I like that swing. I think he's going to help us a lot.¡±
Miley feels good
The starting pitcher for the Reds vs. Colorado, Wade Miley gave up four earned runs, five hits and one walk with two strikeouts. Connor Joe¡¯s three-run homer to center field off Miley did most of the damage in the second inning.
Miley came out of his previous outing with a mild left hamstring injury but bounced back quickly to get back on track.
¡°Out of the windup, it felt really good. Felt sharp, crisp out of the windup,¡± Miley said. ¡°Obviously, when I moved to the stretch, it was quick. I just had a hard time getting into a rhythm and getting balls to glove side, and obviously it cost me a little bit. Close though. Really close to where I want to get.¡±
If Miley can remain healthy, he is the likely No. 4 starter in Cincinnati¡¯s rotation. He believed he would be ready.
¡°If I execute pitches and I get guys to get soft contact, then I don¡¯t leave balls over the heart of the plate and get hit,¡± he said.