Bo Bichette’s transition to third base is officially underway.
With just a few weeks left before players begin reporting to Port St. Lucie for spring training, Bichette took some reps in front of his new manager, Carlos Mendoza.
It’s still early in the process, but the Mets skipper seems to like what he saw.
“He’s an athlete,” Mendoza said on the NY Post’s “The Show” podcast. “We’re looking at a guy that has played shortstop his whole career — watching him today moving around third, taking grounders, creating angles, and just the throws to first I was telling him it looks like you’ve played here before.
“It was exciting that I had that opportunity to see him today, he’s super excited and working really hard.”
Bichette, of course, will be taking over as New York’s full-time man at the hot corner after signing with the club on a big money three-year deal with opt outs just last week.
Prior to this season, he’s only played shortstop and some 2B during his big-league career.
Mendoza indicated that there are things the 27-year-old will have to learn through game reps, as expected, but emphasized that the team is fully confident in him making he switch.
David Stearns echoed that confidence to SNY’s Steve Gelbs at Citi Field last week.
“There are certainly going to be learning moments for Bo, and Jorge Polanco as well, as they understand the intricacies of their positions — but with Bo we’re talking about someone who knows the game so well,” Stearns said.
“Someone who understands the game so well, has been around the game for his entire life, has a great work ethic on the field, has the aptitude — we believe he’s going to get there and get there pretty fast.”
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