Rays inform Bankston he's moving to third

02/27/2006
ST. PETERSBURG -- Wes Bankston could have panicked over the weekend when the Tampa Bay brass informed him that he'd be encountering a bit of a detour on his career path. Instead, he embraced the news that he would be moving from first to third base, excited about the opportunity to pad his resume and improve his marketability.
Bankston, a former fourth-round pick (2002), has carved a reputation as one of the organization's top slugging prospects. And until his weekend meeting with the powers that be, he seemed headed directly toward first base at Tropicana Field with an ETA of sometime in 2007.
While his touchdown time in the Major Leagues remains the same, where he eventually lands will be determined over the next few months, depending on how well he adapts to his new position.
The Devil Rays don't anticipate Bankston having much of a problem with the move, though. Andrew Friedman, the club's executive vice president of baseball operations, said on Monday that the switch is something Bankston "can do well enough to be our future third baseman."
Bankston, 22, whom Tampa Bay selected out of Plano East (Texas) High, split last season between Visalia of the Class A California League and Montgomery of the Double-A Southern League and committed only six errors after his promotion, the third fewest among first baseman on the circuit who appeared in at least 50 games. His .991 fielding percentage was also third highest in the league. His soft hands around the base were part of the reason why the switch seemed to make sense. He began taking grounders at third on Sunday.
"It's still the early stages [of the move], but he's a tremendous worker," Friedman said. "And its something he's anxious to try. He converted from right field to play first base, so he has the arm strength. This just adds to his prospect status."
Bankston, who missed the first month of last season while recovering from a torn meniscus in his left knee, has never played third base before. He was an outfielder in each of his first two seasons in the organization before switching to first base during 2004. But growing up in Texas he was a big fan of Rangers infielder Steve Buechele and says he always thought about playing third base. Now he has the chance.
"I have to start learning the position and getting comfortable over there," said Bankston, who combined to hit .309 with 15 homers and 70 RBIs at both stops last year. "This should be fun, though. We'll wait and see what happens. I'll work on my throws, work on moving my feet more. We'll give it a few weeks and see how it goes.
"I'm excited, though, because this is going to be a new challenge. It's one more position to play. Whether it's first base or third base, wherever they need me to play, that's where I'll play. I think it will be a new challenge."
Rebuilding up his arm strength will be an issue for Bankston, at least early on. And seeing the ball come off the bat differently will be an adjustment at third as well. But he's steadfast in his belief, though, that both will be made with minimal difficulty and that the position switch won't hinder his progress toward his ultimate goal -- a spot on the Major League roster. Based on Friedman's assessment of the situation, Bankston has little to worry about.
Not that he had a great deal holding him back prior to the switch. His 68 career homers, including seven grand slams, are the fifth-most ever among Devil Rays Minor Leaguers. He was named Charleston's Player of the Year in 2004 after hitting 23 homers and driving in 101 runs. It all makes for an impressive resume, but this is still his first big league camp and he's content to remain in the background as much as possible.
"This is a totally different atmosphere," Bankston said. "Most of these guys have been up and in the Major Leagues for several years, so I'm just trying to learn things from them, learn how to go about my business. And I'm enjoying that because there's a lot of information out there.
"We have a great group of guys, and right now I'm just sitting and watching. And if they come up to me and give me some suggestions, I'm all ears. Overall, though, I just want to play well and stay healthy and when they feel it's time for me to be ready that I'll be able to contribute."

Source: http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/