WooSox manager Chad Tracy raves about AAA roster versatility early in the season
The WooSox are coming out of their first series of the year against the Syracuse Mets with a win. The team took two out of three games at Polar Park and are hitting the road this week to face off against Buffalo.
WooSox manager Chad Tracy has rolled out three different starting lineups for the three games they have played so far. Using various amounts of lineup combination is very normal in the minor leagues, as teams need to get at-bats for prospects anyway they can. The unusual aspect of the lineups has been the versatility of the players who have been playing.
“It’s not really about where people are playing because that part isn’t that hard.” Tracy told Beyond the Monster. “It is great when you have that many guys that can do so many things it creates a lot of options for you to get people in the lineup.”
Ryan Fitzgerald played every position but pitcher and catcher last year for Worcester. So far this year, we have seen him appear at second base and in right field. We have seen Bobby Dalbec appear at third base, shortstop, and first base. We have seen Daniel Palka at first base and DH so far. We can expect to see Alfaro playing every day, rotating between catcher and DH. Nick Sogard, who has played in one game and started at third base, played every position on the diamond besides pitcher, catcher, and first base this past season.
“We have 14 active players, all of which are good players.” Tracy added. “The bigger challenge is how do you find ways to keep guys involved knowing that not everyone is able to go out there and play 5 or 6 days a week.”
“The versatility is great because it allows you to slide guys around and try to get others in there.” Tracy noted. “It also creates a lot more opportunities for yourself if you are hot and doing well to be called upon because you can move around and play different spots.”
Tracy seems to be alluding to guys just like Bobby Dalbec. While playing third and first base during his time in the majors, Dalbec is starting to see more time at shortstop in Worcester. If that bat gets hot and he is doing well as Tracy said, he will only put himself in a better spot to get that call to Boston and be a good bench option.
The WooSox are back in action today in Buffalo after Tuesdays game was postponed due to issues with high winds destroying the tarp earlier in the week. That left their field exposed to the elements and they were not able to have the field ready by game time yesterday. Then, the doubleheader scheduled on Wednesday got postponed due to weather and field conditions.
Bryan Mata is expected to make his 2023 debut today, and we are sure to see a different lineup combination once again in the fourth and fifth games of the season in their doubleheader.
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