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Will Soriano in Left Field Work For The Nats?
by Mike Rote
3/23/06
Alfonso Soriano has agreed to play left field for his new team, the Washington Nationals. After months of doubt and even a one-game refusal to play the position, Soriano trotted out to left on Wednesday during a spring training game against St. Louis. On the only ball that came close to him, the Dominican caught a shallow Albert Pujols fly and fired to second to double up David Eckstein.
Despite the perfect performance in his sole chance, it will take time for Soriano to prove he can play left at the level the Nats want him to. After all, Wednesday’s game was at Roger Dean Stadium. Although RFK Stadium, the Nats’ home field, lists identical outfield dimensions to Roger Dean, player testimonials and a midseason remeasure suggest that RFK’s outfield is actually quite larger—roughly 15 feet farther from home than the “380” designations in left- and right-center suggest. Therefore, outfielders have quite a bit more real estate to manage.
The left and right spots at RFK gave even veteran outfielders trouble last year. Logic suggests that a first-year position player would likely have a more difficult time maintaining that area than those who have played the position their entire careers. And not only is this Soriano’s first year in left, but the World Baseball Classic kept him away from the outfield in Spring Training altogether. A defensive liability even at second, time will tell if Soriano’s shortcomings with the leather results in a surplus of opposing doubles or overly conservative play.
Had Wednesday’s game been played at RFK, as will half of Soriano’s starts, the leftfielder would have likely taken seven or eight steps back to compensate for his inexperience at the position and for Pujols’ power. With this conservative approach, Pujols would have taken first on the play as Eckstein crossed the plate for another Cardinal run.
It’s important to note that Alfonso Soriano has been around baseball his entire life. He’s a professional athlete and an all-star. He may very well be able to handle his new challenge. However, with the missed Spring Training reps and the uncertainty of the new position, it’s going to take a good portion of the 2006 campaign for him to get used to life in left.
Until then, Nats fans might witness shaky outfield play coupled with opposing base runners successfully testing Soriano’s arm.
