List of Catchers Converted to Other Positions...3rd Basemen converted to 2nd Basemen

[Alex]

Craig Biggio started as a catcher, was converted to a second baseman, now is an outfielder.

Shea Hillenbrand, Hillenbrand is a good defensive player period, he was a shortstop converted to catcher, converted to first base/outfield after a knee injury, converted to third ...

Let's see ... Phil Garner, although he may have played some 2B in the minors.

Bill Rigney, Danny O'Connell and Tony Taylor were all minor league third basemen who converted to 2B at the major league level. Also Don Buford.

Ted Sizemore was a minor league catcher converted to 2B. Davey Lopes was an outfielder.

Ryne Sandburg started at third and moved to second. I don't know if Ryno played 2cd in the minors.

Jose Vidro moved from 3B to 2B at almost the same point in his career and for similar reasons. He wasn't pathetic for the first few years and is quite good at 2B now.

Sandberg played shortstop in the minors.

Ray Boone played shortstop like a catcher -- too big, clearly out of position, not successful until they finally figured it out and moved him to third base.

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Well, what a list!

Lets get Vic Martinez to third base, and do it right away!

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ November 17, 2003 05:49 PM: Message edited by: Alex ]</font>

[The Crank]

Lets not and say we did.....

[Alex]

Do you think after all that Shea Hillenbrand has been through that he is better athletically than Martinez?

Doubtful.

[The Crank]

I think Hillenbrand is one of those types who really has no good defensive position. Martinez has value as a catcher simply because that is a postion that is usually a zero offensively, and Martinez has shown he can be adequate defensively. Move him to third - a position where you expect offensive output - and he becomes just another average player.

Once again Martinez is staying at catcher. Possibly DH'ing to rest his knees and prolong his career. But thats about it.