John Jaso Taking On Challenges Of Transitioning To First Base
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - New Pittsburgh Pirate John Jaso looks like he's in line to be the Pirates go-to first baseman this year and he joined The Starkey and Mueller Show to talk about his expectations for the season.
Jaso has spent most of his career behind the plate as a catcher and talks about what it has been like making the transition to first base.
"I think taking on the challenge of first is an exciting thing for myself and just a great blessing the Pirates have thrown my way," Jaso told us. "I'm just kind of taking it and I want to do the best I can with them. I'm working hard, listening to the coaches and I'm trying to learn as much as I can."
Jaso also told us what he thinks the biggest challenges will be in learning the position.
"I haven't seen the screaming one hopper from Josh Hamilton yet or anything like that, but I think, like right now, the challenge is kind of learning your place out on the field," Jaso said. "Also, there's bunt defense, there's where you're going to play on relays from the outfield as the ball's coming home, that kind of part of the game. I feel like I have a little bit of an edge on that just coming from the catching position, because as a catcher, you're well aware of where everybody is kind of supposed to be at, and you're kind of yelling at people to get to certain places, so the transition with that is a little bit easier, I would say, than if I was a left fielder trying to become a first baseman."
Click the audio link below to hear more from Jaso as he told us a little bit about himself off the field and the concussion issues he dealt with in the past:
