Isiah Kiner-Falefa solely performed two years of highschool soccer, however the Yankees’ tremendous utility man believes that have can assist him now that he’s going to play the outfield.
Kiner-Falefa, who attended Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu, Hawaii, stated that his restricted time as a defensive again has helped him alter to his latest place in baseball, as he feels the footwork is comparable. “IKF” has expertise enjoying shortstop, third base, second base and catcher within the majors, however Sunday marked his first large league begin in heart subject.
“I was a pretty good safety,” Kiner-Falefa stated earlier than the sport in opposition to the Giants. “It’s almost the same feelings out there, just watching the quarterback and what not.”
Kiner-Falefa added that he nabbed “a lot of pick-sixes” earlier than turning his full consideration to baseball.
As for the outfield, the veteran shifted his focus this previous spring after spending his first season in pinstripes because the Yankees’ shortstop. Kiner-Falefa’s protection at quick damage the staff at instances, and he ended up getting benched for a couple of playoff video games.
Kiner-Falefa realized that with Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza additionally competing for the shortstop job in camp – Volpe gained the gig – it will behoove him to develop on his versatility.
“I understood there’s two great shortstop prospects that could help the team,” Kiner-Falefa stated. “For me, being an older guy, I definitely saw that. So, instead of battling it out, I wanted to give myself an opportunity to stick on the team. I felt like [the Yankees] giving me that opportunity to play the outfield allowed me to still be here.”
Kiner-Falefa added that the choice to play some outfield – he additionally tried left throughout spring coaching – was a mutual one. Aaron Boone got here to him first, however the 28-year-old had already been eager about it.
The thought gained traction after Kiner-Falefa booted a routine ball in opposition to the Tigers on March 3 whereas enjoying shortstop behind Gerrit Cole. That ended up being his final exhibition sport at shortstop.
“That error was kind of a blessing in disguise in a way,” Kiner-Falefa stated.
While Kiner-Falefa solely made a couple of outfield appearances throughout camp – he performed there a handful of instances within the minors, too – he feels he’s prepared for heart at Yankee Stadium. Line drives proved difficult at first, however he feels comfy now after placing in time with Yankees outfield coach Luis Rojas.
“Skill-wise, he has the ability to really do it and do it well,” Boone stated. “Hopefully, we can continue to develop that kind of role with him.”
Kiner-Falefa, completely satisfied to nonetheless be a Yankee after a bumpy first season and a winter of commerce rumors, is trying ahead to extra assignments past the infield.
“I like how you just run balls down,” he stated when requested what he likes concerning the outfield. “The freedom of not having to do one thing excellent. You simply need to make the play. Last yr, enjoying shortstop, typically I obtained caught up on being too excellent and caring about how I seemed as an alternative of ending the play.
“Out there, the only thing that matters is catching the ball and making a good throw.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com