Iglesias Starts First Game At Third Base For PawSox
BOSTON (CBS) - Jose Iglesias is the best defensive shortstop in the Boston Red Sox' system, so they're seeing if that defense translates to other positions as well.
Down in Pawtucket, the 23-year-old has started taking grounders at second and played third base on Tuesday night -- the first time Iglesias has played a position other than shortstop since becoming a member of the Red Sox in 2009.
"You see a guy that's a very capable defender that we want to get exposure to other places in the event that if we do happen to take a look at him being in that utility role at some point this year," said Boston manager John Farrell. "We still view him as an everyday shortstop, but in the interim, we're trying to prepare for the potential of coming and filling that role."
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"It's in the event that something might happen to someone, to just prepare as best we can if he comes to us in a role that might call on the versatility."
Iglesias committed an error in his debut at the hot corner, and singled and walked at the plate. Overall he is batting .209 with four home runs and 15 RBIs in 32 games.
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The Red Sox currently have Pedro Ciriaco as their utility man, who is batting just .183 in 19 games this season. Ciriaco has seen action at short (8 games), third base (4 games) and second base (2), committing an alarming six errors in 36 chances.
With Iglesias getting some experience at other positions, he may soon find himself back in the majors as Boston's utility infielder.
