One of the most interesting things to look in the MLB spring training is the players who move to new positions, and this season is not lacking in such situations. Sometimes a player changes the position due to the decline in the defense or to avoid injuries. Other times, it is because he has changed his team or a former teammate left in a free agency. Or, in the case of a player on this list, it could be good enough to be the defensively elite in several positions.
Here are six position changes to keep an eye on this spring.
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Jose Altuve: 2b to LF
The biggest change of position this spring is undoubtedly the astros changing Jose Altuve from the second base to the left field. Altuve, 34, was once as safe as possible, secondly, assesses both the eye test and advanced measurements. In 2015, Altuve won the Al Gold Glove Prize for its defensive prowess.
But in recent years, the defensive skills of AL 2017 have taken a drastic step back as it gets. In fact, since 2022, Altuve ranks like the worst defender at any position in baseball, with defensive points of less than 41.
In all his big league career, Altuve has never started a game in any position other than the second, so the left field will be a new challenge for the future temple of fame. And although it is athletic enough to move in the outer field – and Daikin Park in Houston presents one of the shortest left fields in baseball, with the crawford boxes – the strength of the arms of Altuve could s’ prove to be a problem for astros. It is one of the biggest scenarios entering the 2025 season.
Mike Trout: See to RF
It is a decision that seems to have been in preparation for some time. Angels’ priority this season is to make Mike Trout play as many games as possible, which requires keeping it as healthy as possible. And so, in order to reduce wear on your body, trout moves from the center to the right for the Halos.
There is no doubt that trout is more than capable of managing the right field. In addition, he told journalists that he was going to work with the instructor of the Angels Torii Hunter, who managed to go from the central field at the end of his career.
The reality is that if the angels really wanted to make sure that the trout remains healthy, they would make him the commonly designated striker. But the superstar would probably push against this, given its desire to play on the ground.
All the other recent plans to keep the trout in good health have failed. Maybe it will be the one that works.
Alex Bregman: 3b to 2b (maybe?)
The most recent member of the Boston Red Sox is not only in a new stadium, but also, apparently, is preparing for a new position. The second goal has been an area of need in Boston in recent years, and although only one match in second place in his career, the Bregman sure to make a gentle transition.
But unlike some of the other players on the list, Bregman should probably not go from his original position. The double champion of the World Series won the Al Gold Glove Award in third row last season while evaluating the average in the warm corner of the DRS and the OAA. Meanwhile, the Boston holder in the third goal, Rafael Devers, was a defender less than the average of his entire career.
Despite this, the expectation of the signature of Bregman was that he would play secondly, and has made it strong and clarify his dissatisfaction to abandon perhaps his positionTelling journalists that he plays the third and does not want to move. It will be interesting to see how the manager Alex Cora and Co. sort this. Anyway, Bregman helps Boston defensively, but it is a situation that deserves to be monitored.
Mookie Betts: Part -time SS with full -time SS
It looks like we are already talking about Mookie Betts at the Cop stop for a second consecutive spring. But this time, it is not because of an emergency. After the reconfiguration of the dodgers of their outside field in winter, with the signature of Michael Comforto and the return of Teoscar Hernandez, Betts will be the full time after playing half the season in 2000. Play again in the field Interior has been a possibility for Betts for years, but it is one of the best rights fields that the game saw, so it was perfectly logical to keep it there.
Now Betts will have the chance to focus only on readingWith complete spring training to prepare. In a small sample last season, he looked like a guy who had already played the position. Betts has evaluated quite well by defensive measures, which earns +3 of the saved defensive tracks. There were times when making throws was a problem, but it was a region on which Betts worked during the offseason.
The triple champion of World Series is one of the best athletes in the game, and if there is someone we can assume not only to go to a new position, but also there, it’s Mookie Betts.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.: 3b to 2b
Unlike the other players on this list, Jazz Chisholm Jr. has a wide experience by playing his position in 2025. Towards the end of his mandate with the Marlins, Chisholm played full time Center Field, but he appeared as a stop -Court before moving on to the second goal when he reached the big leagues.
Yankees needed a third goal need when they acquired Chisholm on the deadline for last summer’s exchanges, and there was a short -term adequate solution. Despite the rating as -2 DRS, he ranked as well as average in third place by withdrawals higher than the average, which assessed it at +6.
But now, with the departure of Gleyber Torres from the interior field of the Yankees, Chisholm will return to his familiar house to the second goal. The native of the Bahamas has always been athletic, which served him well while moving in positions. During his past in second position, he evaluated Elite in the position, with marks more in the DR and the OAA. After years of defensive keys in Keystone, the Yankees should enjoy a big boost with Chisholm in the second row.
Jonathan India: 2b to LF
Jonathan India is a solid player, and his best tool has always been his bat, with an ability to mount on the basis of a large clip, but in recent seasons in Cincinnati, finding a place for him in alignment and a Place to hide has become a problem for him. After Altuve, India assessed the second first defender of the MLB by recorded defensive tracks. But unlike Altuve, who was once a defender above average for the second goal, India has never had this reputation.
Now playing in Kansas City after a business offset with the Royals, India goes left in the field, where it will have to familiarize itself quickly with one of the largest sale of baseball. We will see how long it takes to adapt to its new house.
