Club counts on versatile Segura to settle in at 2nd base
Jean Segura is certainly not the biggest name on a roster featuring Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, Didi Gregorius, Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler.
But Segura is capable of contributing in a number of ways — and at multiple positions — for the Philadelphia Phillies. After spending seven of his first eight MLB seasons as a shortstop, Segura split the abbreviated 2020 MLB campaign between two other infield positions.
Gregorius was the Phillies’
shortstop last year, so Segura spent 32 games at second base and 24 at third. With Gregorius back after signing a two-year contract, Segura is penciled in as manager Joe Girardi’s 2021second baseman and Segura is fine with that.
“I can play the [position] very easily, especially when you play short your whole career and you’re moving to third [or] second,” said Segura during a Zoom call.
“It’s not a big difference. It’s not hard for me. … I love the position. I love short, too. I have to do what is best for the team.”
Segura enjoyed playing next to his buddy, Gregorius, and believes they developed a good rapport last year that should only get better with more time in the field together.
Knowing the plan is for him to play one position should make life easier for Segura.
“He’s just worked solely at second base, which is good for him and I think he enjoys that,” Girardi said. “He looks great.”
At the plate, Segura’s average dropped from .280 in 2019 to .266 a year ago, but his on-base percentage increased from .324 to .347. That’s primarily because his walk percentage was a career-high .106, which more than doubled his .049 from a year ago. That was significant to Girardi.
“[It told me] that Jean’s coachable [and] that Jean understands the game,” Girardi said.
The adjustments began in spring training 2020 with the help of Phils’ hitting coach Joe Dillon. The two would bet a quarter a day on how many balls Segura would swing at vs. how many strikes during batting practice, live batting practice and eventually in games.
“It became who Jean was,” Girardi said. “… He’ll continue to work on that, for sure.”
While Segura’s home run percentage was a career-high .032 last season, Segura’s strikeout percentage increased from .118 in 2019 to .207 a year ago, but that didn’t faze him.
“I’d rather make less in contact and get on base more,” Segura said. “… I’m able to take more walks and be more disciplined.”
Segura’s 2020 numbers extrapolated to a full season would’ve produced 19 home runs, as well as career-bests in RBIs (67), walks (61, which would’ve easily surpassed his previous best of 39) and strikeouts (120).
The 5-foot-10, 220-pound Segura is more solidly built than most baseball players — “I’m kind of thick,” he said with a smile — though he added, “I think I’m in the best shape of my life.”