John Wehner: Alvarez Will Be Fine At First Base
PITTSBURGH (KDKA 93-7 The Fan)- Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez took some reps at first base during batting practice Friday.
Pirates Broadcaster John Wehner told Colin Dunlap on Bucco Talk that he thinks Alvarez will be fine.
"There is some footwork differences as far as starting the double play," Wehner said. "Pedro doesn't have the greatest first step at third base. You don't have to have a great first step at first base."
John Wehner: Alvarez Will Be Fine At First Base
Wehner added that Alvarez is a good enough athlete to play first.
The Pirates have been playing with a short bench, as Neil Walker and Andrew McCutchen have been unavailable the past several games with injuries.
"It is risky, but it turns out to be the right decision because your pitchers go out and throw you seven innings. You don't need as much bench when your starting rotation can go out and consistently give you that many innings and take you that deep into ballgames because there aren't many moves to make," Wehner said.
John Wehner: Alvarez Will Be Fine At First Base
Dunlap asked about the Arizona Diamondbacks hitting Andrew McCutchen Aug. 2, after Paul Goldschmidt was beaned the night before and was lost for the season.
"The bottom line is, they intentionally hit your superstar. They intentionally sought out your superstar and drilled him in the back intentionally. We didn't hit their superstar intentionally. They could have done it so many different ways, and I thought they did it the worst way. And for (Arizona executive) Tony LaRussa to try to defend the actions and the way it went down is atrocious," Wehner said.
John Wehner: Alvarez Will Be Fine At First Base
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