La Russa: New infielder Jean Segura has been ‘so impressive’

Not much fanfare came with the Arizona Diamondbacks’ addition of Jean Segura last month, which is understandable given his recent struggles.

Last season, he hit .257 with six home runs and 50 RBI while stealing 25 bases, and the year before he batted .246 with five home runs, 31 RBI and 20 steals.

However, in 2013 he was an All-Star at just 23 years of age, and he finished the year hitting .294 with 12 home runs, 49 RBI and 44 stolen bases.

At that time, he was viewed as one of baseball’s up-and-coming infielders, and that is the player the D-backs hope to have acquired in a deal that also brought them pitcher Tyler Wagner in exchange for infielder Aaron Hill, pitcher Chase Anderson and prospect Isan Diaz.

And through four Cactus League games, that is the player the D-backs have seen.

Segura has started off exhibition play red hot, hitting .692 with one home run and three RBI in 13 at-bats. His nine hits easily lead the team.

While no one expects him to post those kind of numbers when the games start to count or even the rest of this spring, his production does not come as a surprise.

“Well he’s been so impressive,” D-backs chief baseball officer Tony La Russa told Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Wednesday morning. “A couple years ago he was an All-Star; his talent is real. He’s had some tough injuries and the family situation, but it sure looks like he’s got his head in the right place.

“And his skills are way above average.. He’s not just a hitter, he can play defense, also he can steal bases, so I know he’s gotten off to a great start, and just we’re all patting (GM) Dave Stewart on the back and our scouts and the job for making that (trade) happen.”

The family situation La Russa is alluding to is the death of Segura’s infant son in 2014, a sad situation that AZCentral Sports’ Bob McManaman broke down in an excellent read here.

There is hope, and maybe even belief, that more time from that tragedy as well as a change of scenery will help Segura rediscover the form he showed a few years ago. If he does, the D-backs will have themselves a bit of a dilemma.

Last year’s starting shortstop, Nick Ahmed, hit just .226 with nine home runs and 34 RBI but was among the game’s better defenders.

While it’s not this simple, the question of who gets the nod at short — Ahmed or Segura — may come down to choosing between offense and defense.

La Russa, who won six World Series titles as a manager, said ideally the team would have a shortstop who excels at both.

“You know, I think I’ve definitely had the experience, and I’ve seen it — you just saw it in Denver winning the Super Bowl — championships are won on defense more than offense, if you had to pick one or the other,” he said. “Problem is, you’ve got to have something of both. But the fewer runs you give up, the fewer you have to score to win.”

La Russa noted how a second baseman, while important, can get by making the routine plays while being a force at the plate, but a shortstop has more responsibility.

“I know Ahmed is very, very special,” he said. “Segura’s got that special talent, too.”

The CBO mentioned Chris Owings, who he said “would be a way above average shortstop.”

The 24-year-old hit just .227 with four home runs, 43 RBI and 16 stolen bases last year, but more is expected of him this season.

“He’s been a complete player,” La Russa said. “He gets base hits, hits for a good average, runs the bases and plays above average defense. Then he had the 2014 injury to his shoulder, and last year, it takes a while for that thing to heal and get strong.”

Now healthy, Owings seems to be locked in at second base, though Segura may see time there as well. The latter’s natural position is shortstop and that is where he and Ahmed are battling it out.

The final call on how to sort out the crowded infield will belong to manager Chip Hale, but La Russa will likely have some input.

“If I had to pick, I would probably pick the defense at short; if the second baseman had a good bat and made routine plays, I’d probably go with the offense at second base.”

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