Versatility is a great thing to have. Stephen Vogt made it clear to the Cleveland Guardians ' younger players that flexibility is the easiest path to playing time. However, Vogt wants David Fry to take a different approach as he ramps up for the season.
"Right now, we talked to David, we want him solely focus on catching to improve and get a lot of reps there," said Vogt.
"When you're a utility player who catches, a lot of times that position needs close attention to detail. So, right now the plan with David is to keep him doing catching reps every single day and then as we go through camp, work him into the other positions we need to. But, right now, the focus is on him primarily catching."
This doesn't mean that Fry won't appear at other positions during spring training or the regular season and Cleveland's skipper admits this. Vogt, who as a major league catcher for 10 years, believes it's easier to transition to positions such as first base or the outfield after rather than the the other way around.
The fact that Fry is spending so much time in his preparation as a catcher may give fans a preview of how Vogt plans on using him during the season. Cleveland appears to be ready to carry three catchers (Bo Naylor and Austin Hedges being the others) setting up Fry to be a pinch hitter late in games against left-handed pitchers with the occasional start here and there.
Fry focusing on catching at this point in camp also allows Vogt and the front office to get other looks at players at first base and the outfield. It's a win-win for both sides.
Fry's bat could be a useful tool for the Guardians whether he's a substitute or in the starting lineup. On the same day that Vogt made these comments on where he wants David to focus on defensively, Fry smoked a two-run homer in the team's spring training game.
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