3rd base - Gorman/Saggese/Fermin/Blaze Jordan

[ghostrunner]

Thought I'd pluck this out of the minor league thread, since 3rd is probably now the focus for a lot of fan complaints. Jordan seems like the minor leaguer most likely to get a chance there, unless Saggese somehow gets a chance to play enough and looks better before that happens. Maybe Fermin, but I assume he remains a bench guy,

Something I just noticed about blaze jordan (besides obv his great numbers), is he’s played more than double his games at 3b this year, as opposed to 1b. This is different than last year with us and his history with the Red Sox.

Wonder if it’s due to an obv perceived need with Gorman and saggesse’s struggles and a need for a good RH platoon bat there?

That plus they don't really want to platoon Burleson.

The prob need to, as Burly is batting .308 against RHP and .203 against LHP….and a .907 OPS against RHP and a .490 OPS vs LHP

Blaze Jordan is probably much more ready for a call-up than Baez.
Currently Blaze has only 22 K's in 211 PA, with 9 HR's, a .332 BA, and rockin an OPS of .948!
Would seem he would at least make better contact than Gorman without losing power.

Seems like the main obstacle for Jordan is defense. Third is clearly the idea for the time being, and maybe long term maybe he could slide in place of Burleson.

From what I understand he's probably not a very good third baseman. I think it was Kyle Reis I heard talking about him recently. Reis is mostly focused on prospects and watches a lot of the games. Also now does a podcast with Brian Walton. Basically he says Jordan's not very athletic but with a good enough arm and good hands. If the ball gets to him he's alright, but I would presume he's not going to be making some of the plays that even Gorman makes. He's likely going to make some people mad over there, which isn't to say it shouldn't still happen considering Gorman is doing that already in the lineup and at third.

This is a writeup from soxprospects.com that seems to largely line up with all that:

https://soxprospects.com/players/jordan-blaze.htm

Field: Has split time defensively between third base and first base, and likely will end up at first. Is not a natural defender at third. Lacks fluidity in the field, footwork needs work. Below-average range. Hands work much better at first base than third. Shows confidence picking balls in the dirt and lack of range is not as much of an issue there. Body transformation in 2024 improved defensive outlook at third to the point where he might be able to play it in a pinch now, but still far better suited to first base. Potential above-average defender at first base and below-average defender at third.

Arm: Above-average arm strength. Has the arm strength needed for third base. Hit 92 mph on the mound in high school.

I went looking for a defensive highlight on his minor league page and couldn't find one, if that means anything.

Once Noot gets back I also wouldn't mind seeing Torres get a shot over there. He hasn't played there much over the last few years, but I don't know if that's an issue of ability or what the organization has needed over that period. Or maybe they'll decide Jordan is good enough to get a chance.

[CardsofSTL]

I think it makes sense to give Torres some time there. Has Jordan played 3B before this season? I know they have been working him over there since he has been in Memphis but I am not sure he ever played there in the Boston org. If that is case you have to expect some growing pains there. But his hit tool seems to be there so maybe he gets a shot especially if the rest of the bottom half of the lineup continues to flounder. Can't have 1 true outcome Gorman getting six starts a week at this rate.

[CardsofSTL]

Noot is likely back on Friday so we may know by this weekend what the club thinks; unless they just do the easy thing and send down Saggese.

[ghostrunner]

Seems like Jordan’s pretty much gone back and forth between those two spots for both clubs all along. Pretty even split.

[ghostrunner]

I hadn’t realized it but they’ve played Jordan at 3B exactly one time in Memphis since Crooks was called up.

[cardsfantx]

I hadn’t realized it but they’ve played Jordan at 3B exactly one time in Memphis since Crooks was called up.

Seems unrelated since crooks hasn’t played any 1b ever in the minors? (Played exactly 2 games in the AFL back in 22)

[ghostrunner]

Not saying it is directly. Just that it happened when he came up and Prieto and Pozo were sent down. Looks like Prieto took second and Ramon Mendoza has been playing third primarily since then. Main point is just that they don’t seem to intend him to come up for 3rd anytime soon.

[Fat_Bulldog]

Could Torres handle 3B?

[GeddyWrox]

Could Torres handle 3B?

I also wonder this.

[st.lewis11]

Could Torres handle 3B?

I also wonder this.

His minor league #'s at 3B in Baseball Reference show a fielding % of .867.
(50 games, 375 innings, 13 errors in 98 chances)