PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges predicted to look Manny Machado make acrobatic performs at 0.33 base and hit seize home runs. What Hedges has learned this spring approximately his new teammate is simply how clever he is. ”Everybody knows he can do that,” Hedges said of Machado’s Gold Glove-caliber protection at 0.33 base. ”I assume human beings notice the things which can be God-given, but they do not get to see what we get to see and that is the work that he puts in and the way he researches the game, which is taking a very gifted player and turning him into arguably the greatest player in this recreation right now.” This is Machado’s first spring with the Padres after signing a $three hundred million, 10-12 months agreement in February.
Machado, 26, additionally brings strength. He batted .297 with 37 homers and 107 RBIs closing season. ”I performed in opposition to him for years, and his skills speak for itself,” Padres 2nd baseman Ian Kinsler stated. ”You understand what he is capable of on the sphere, that he can impact the game in many specific ways offensively, defensively, and he is a smart baserunner.” When Fernando Tatis Jr. Sprinted from first base to attain inside the 6th inning Friday night time, Machado jumped out of the dugout to celebrate. ”He’s been a wonderful teammate,” Padres supervisor Andy Green said.
”I actually have every anticipation that he will be via all of the years to come.” Machado’s impact can be extra critical behind the curtain. ”The biggest impact he is made on me isn’t always what he does bodily,” Hedges said. ”It’s no longer been the top-notch plays he’s made at 0.33, the first-rate at-bats he’s had; however, it’s the manner he sees the game in gradual movement. I’ve tried to exit my manner to have little conversations with him, whether it’s at some point of games, before games, after games, just any time.
It’s ‘Hey, what turned into your notion process via this play, on this at-bat?’ ”You don’t do what he’s finished constantly for that a few years without definitely having an excessive baseball IQ. I’ve tried to allow him to walk me thru some of his thought method and what gives him a bonus, that is his mind. He’s truly, definitely clever. I don’t suppose people understand how smart he is.”
First baseman Eric Hosmer has talked baseball with Machado in the dugout as well. It’s been schooling. ”That’s what makes him without a doubt precious, specifically as a teammate,” Hosmer stated. ”You’re picking his brain, you hear what he says, you hear the technique that he has. It’s opened plenty of guys’ eyes.” On Friday, Machado deftly dealt with a grounder by the Colorado Rockies’ Mark Reynolds, selecting it up with his naked hand and throwing Reynolds out. ”There will be a few perform at the left side of the infield that quite a few us in no way thought could be accomplished,” Hosmer stated.
”It’s magnificent to watch. Everything is spotless.” On Saturday towards the Los Angeles Angels, Machado doubled in the first inning and scored one out later on Franchy Cordero’s domestic run. Machado also flew out to center within the 0.33 and singled within the fourth. In the Angels’ second, Machado almost threw out Dustin Garneau, who hit a grounder down the 1/3-baseline. If groups ought to use replay in spring training, Green might also have challenged the call.
Machado is heating up at the right time, going 5 for 13 in his closing four games with 3 RBIs and his first homer for the Padres. San Diego has one more sport in Peoria on Sunday in opposition to the Cubs, after which closes the exhibition season with games in opposition to the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on Monday and Tuesday. The Manny Machado era formally starts next Thursday at Petco Park towards the San Francisco Giants.
”You’ve constantly liked the way he performs in opposition to you. However, it is distinct while you’re with men every day, you notice their practice, you notice them put together, you see the manner they cross approximately it,” Hosmer stated. ”It’s a false impression – absolutely everyone thinks he is certainly right and is going available and makes it appear clean. Getting to peer all the work that is going on behind the scenes drives up that appreciation stage you’ve got as a player.”
