Anderson taking to right field
Change in leather comes as Prado arrives
MIAMI — If Monday night was any indication, Brian Anderson thinks he’s found his glove of the future buried in the bottom of his bag.
Anderson just made the move to right field from his customary third base, leaving him without suitable gear to become an outfielder. For a while, he was using Garrett Cooper’s gloves. Then he remembered a gift from Austin Dean, a Marlins minor-leaguer and Anderson’s teammate and roommate since he was drafted in 2014.
Dean gave Anderson one of his old outfield gloves, a brown and black piece of leather that rarely saw the light of day. Anderson broke it out for the first time against Philadelphia on Monday night.
“It’s been a pancake on the bottom of the bag for a couple years now,” Anderson said. “I never thought I’d actually need it, but I’m glad I brought it with me now.”
Anderson starred at the plate with a 3-for-4 night with four RBI and a home run. But he may have saved the game with his, er, Dean’s glove. In the seventh inning, with the bases loaded and Kyle Barraclough struggling to locate pitches, Philadelphia looked to tie the game.
Carlos Santana looped a ball into right field. Anderson charged hard and made a diving catch, freezing the runners and allowing Barraclough a chance to escape the jam.
The play would have been nice for a regular outfielder. But for a converted third baseman who hadn’t played outfield since his sophomore year of college at Arkansas? Anderson even admitted the play surprised him a little.
Marlins manager Don Mattingly pointed to Anderson’s attitude in handling the switch as a reason for his early success. With veteran Martin Prado returning to man third base, Anderson lost his spot. But Miami didn’t want to lose his bat (he’s slashing .265/.375/.382 this season), so he moved back.
Anderson has played three games in right field and has recorded five putouts.
“He was totally on board,” Mattingly said. “He wants to be here. His attitude towards making a move to keep himself in the big leagues has been the key to his success.”
Mattingly also complimented Anderson’s physical tools. On Monday, Mattingly reminded reporters that major leaguers are athletes who often played all over the field. They’re capable of playing multiple positions but don’t because they become experts at one role.
“He’s definitely built for it, honestly,” Mattingly said. “He runs pretty good. He’s played it in the past. He’s got a cannon. He may throw better than everybody we have out there. He’s a guy that profiles in right field, offensively and defensively.”
During his transition, Anderson has leaned on Fredi Gonzalez, the Marlins third base coach who also handles outfielders. Gonzalez showed Anderson the way the ball snakes on the outfield grass. He showed him where to stand for a righthanded hitter and where to be for a left-hander.
Then Anderson had to overcome depth perception. At third base, the only fly balls are popups. They’re easy to track and routine in nature. But outfielders must chase down balls, plus the ball curves differently on the other side of the field.
“Just seeing balls off the bat in BP, I think that’s the first step,” Anderson said.
■ First baseman Justin Bour (back spasms) told Mattingly he was ready to return to the lineup Tuesday, but Mattingly wanted to give him an extra day off. Bour pinch-hit on Monday night and will be back at first base tonight.
■ Shortstop JT Riddle went for 3 for 4 Monday night, finishing a triple shy of the cycle during his first game at Triple-A New Orleans. New Orleans is the third stop of Riddle’s rehabilitation assignment, following a pair of games with both High-A Jupiter and Double-A Jacksonville.
Riddle (right shoulder tendinitis) is slated to play shortstop again Tuesday night before an off day today.