Gyorko coming along at second base

March 3, 2013; Peoria, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko (68) turns the double play while avoiding Chicago White Sox left fielder Dewayne Wise (28) in the first inning during a spring training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres top prospect, Jedd Gyorko, is making the move to second base and is hoping to solidify that spot come April. He’s making a pretty good case for himself with his bat, but that’s not what Bud Black and the Padres have been impressed with lately. The guy can hit, but they already knew that. What they are impressed with is his ability to pick up the second base position and play solid defense.

Gyorko is the definition of a project player. He was a guy coming out of college who had a strong bat and a decent glove at third base. He’s the type of player who you pick up as a steal in the draft, put him in your farm league, and let him marinate for a while. Think of it this way, when you go to the butcher and get a grade A steak, you don’t bring it home and just throw it on the grill. No, you throw it in a bowl, put some flavoring on it, and let it soak everything up until the time is right. Gyorko is the Padres grade A steak.

“I’m getting more comfortable at second base as each day goes by. We’ve got some of the best coaches in baseball to teach me and guide me as I make the transition. It’s going well,” Gyorko told the Padres official website. 

So far this spring he has a perfect fielding record through 10 games and 57.0 innings at second base this season. He has 15 putouts, 22 assists, and has turned 5 double plays.

It seems that the transition is coming along nicely. Last season in the minors, Gyorko only committed 3 errors in 409.0 innings at the keystone position.

“You can tell this guy is a baseball player,” manager Bud Black said of the young Gyorko.

Gyorko’s bat this spring has lit up quick. He’s blasted three homers and driven in 9 runs so far. He plans to keep working hard on both sides of the ball and just like a marinating steak, he’ll soak everything up and then when the time is right, the Padres will make good use of him.