Bligh Madris returns to Pirates, adding a new position to improve his chances of staying
Share this post:
Bligh Madris hadn’t played first base since his sophomore year at Colorado Mesa University, but he was open to the idea when the Pittsburgh Pirates suggested adding another position in spring training.
After being optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis when the major league outfield became too crowded earlier this month, Madris returned to the Pirates on Thursday with a new position and an old mitt.
“We wanted to expose him to a new position,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “So I think over the last, like, seven days he’s played there like five times. It’s getting better. It’s just the ability to add different things to his repertoire.”
With center fielder Bryan Reynolds on paternity leave after his wife Blair delivered a baby boy on Wednesday morning, Madris is expected to provide outfield depth for the Pirates. He played 10 games in right field, four in left and one in center for the Pirates but switched to first base for Indianapolis and could be a candidate to play there for the Pirates if they part ways with struggling slugger Yoshi Tsutsugo.
Madris slashed .259/.286/.407 with five doubles, one homer and six RBIs in 15 games for the Pirates from June 20-July 7. In 13 games at Indianapolis this month, he slashed .271/.327/.396, so the Pirates were looking for ways to get his bat back into their lineup.
More Pirates news:
• Oneil Cruz hits another milestone with his 97.8-mph throw from shortstop
• ‘It was truly amazing’: Pirates rookie OF Bligh Madris cherishes 1st homer in 2nd game
• Bligh Madris far from an afterthought while making his major league debut
Shelton said the key for Madris is to adjust to the speed of the major leagues and getting to used to the throws coming out of infielders’ hands. That’s especially true with 6-foot-7 shortstop Oneil Cruz, who had a throw clocked at an MLB-best 97.8 mph on July 15.
“I don’t think there is anything that simulates a throw from Oneil,” Madris said. “I had a couple of games in Gwinnett with him over there, so I know what it looks like.”
At Triple-A, Madris spent time working with Indianapolis bench coach Gary Green, a Greenfield native who is an infield instructor, on the finer points of the position. Shelton said Madris will continue to work with Pirates bench coach Don Kelly, who also doubles as infield instructor, while being eased into the position in the majors.
“Getting used to the speed of the game and how those guys play,” Madris said, rattling off a checklist of things to learn at first base, “making sure I’m around the bag and in the right position, knowing where the ball goes on any given play and being in the right spots at all times – which is a mental grind as well – knowing all the positions, figuring (things) out before the play happens, knowing where you gotta be in different situations.”
Madris plans to keep an eye on Pirates first basemen Michael Chavis and Josh VanMeter, middle infielders who made a similar transition to play first base while Tsutsugo was out with a lower back injury.
“Just learning the position all over again, a higher level game,” Madris said. “It speeds up it a little bit at this level, so just getting back to it. Putting in work every day, trying to do whatever I can to help help my career in the future.”