Farmer was drafted as a catcher by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013 out of the University of Georgia. Farmer caught in his summer leagues but Georgia coach, David Perno liked him at shortstop. The two positions require totally different athletic skills.
The Dodgers' organization put Farmer behind the plate in pro ball until after persistent lobbying by Farmer, Oklahoma City manager, Bill Hasselman put him in the lineup at shortstop.
"I was ecstatic," Farmer said.
The Reds moved Farmer around all spring in Goodyear, Arizona. He caught two games and played shortstop in four games. He played four games behind the plate at the Major League level with the Dodgers.
"It was fun working with him behind the plate," said Tanner Roark after a game in spring training.
The Reds have had the luxury of having essentially three catchers on the active roster although fate had a lot to do with that.
Farmer was reassigned to minor league camp on May 22nd. The next day Scooter Gennett strained his groin and missed three months. Farmer was brought right back. He is still here. This time an injury to Barnhart created the need for Farmer to knock the dust off his catcher's gear and skills.
"Even though he hasn't caught for us so far, he's affected the our roster as if he had," David Bell said. Bell was able to use Curt Casali or Barnhart as a pinch hitter early or double switch them because Farmer provided depth. "I wouldn't hesitate to use him at catcher."
On Saturday, Farmer worked behind the plate before the game, blocking balls in the dirt, throwing to second and third with coach J.R. House.
"It was like a spring training day for Kyle," Bell said.
Casali is starting his sixth straight game at catcher. The Reds have had plenty of off days to recover and the game times made it easier to transition. There was a 7:10 game on Friday, a 4:10 game on Saturday and 1:10 on Sunday.
"That made it easier for Curt to recover," Bell said. "I expect to get Kyle a start at catcher in the next four or five days.
No comments:
Post a Comment