ESPN’s Keith Law: ‘No chance’ Yasmany Tomas can play 3B for D-backs
Mar 25, 2015, 3:51 PM | Updated: 3:52 pm
Yasmany Tomas can hit. There’s no doubt about that.
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Cuban import has shown some power during Cactus League play this month with two home runs and seven RBI — which is tied for third-most on the club.
Questions have arisen about his defense, and they have been magnified by the experiment to put the 24-year-old at third base. So far this spring, he’s made three errors in 24 total chances at the hot corner.
For those not familiar with defensive baseball metrics, that’s not good.
ESPN’s Keith Law appeared on the network’s Olbermann program and didn’t mince words about the youngster’s defensive deficiencies.
“I finally got my first look at him a couple times in the Cactus League last week,” Law said. “Zero chance to play third base, for me. He’s built like Pablo Sandoval, but with none of the athleticism at all. He can’t even get his feet started when the ball is coming at him.”
The D-backs have experimented with Tomas in the outfield this spring, as well. He started in right field on March 16 against the White Sox and played error-free ball. But considering the team’s logjam at the outfield positions from a roster standpoint, it would be hard for Tomas to get innings at either of the corner spots.
Law did have nice things to say about Tomas’ ability at the plate.
“He can hit and he’s very strong,” he said. “There is just a lot of strength in his hands. Every time I saw him make contact, it was hard contact, including the other way, which is where both of his home runs so far in Arizona have gone.”
