Bauers Takes Quickly To New Position

ST. PETERSBURG—Analysis of the Rays’ surprising three-team, 11-player trade that sent Wil Myers to the Padres in December 2014 typically focuses on what Tampa Bay got back: catcher Rene Rivera, who has since been released, and outfielder Steven Souza, who had an inconsistent rookie season in 2015.

But Rays officials always point out that they also got Jake Bauers in the deal.

The more Bauers hits, the more you see their point.

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After an impressive 2015 organization debut in which, as a teenager, he advanced to Double-A Montgomery, Bauers successfully handled an Arizona Fall League experiment in moving from first base to the outfield.

As a result, he began 2016 in right field for the Biscuits, with a plan to spend most of his time on the grass.

“I was excited for it,” said Bauers, 20. “I played outfield in high school a little bit. In batting practice last year, I would always go out and mess around in left field and say, ‘Hey guys, throw me out here.’ And then they actually did. I’m excited.”

Bauers is a fine defensive first baseman, but his bat is what will continue to push him forward, and he sees the position switch as the Rays’ way of maximizing his value.

“I think it’s just versatility,” said Bauers, who bats lefthanded. “I’m in an organization where guys can play a lot of different positions. So I think in their minds it was, ‘Hey, if he can do it, then why not? Why not have more and more positions under his belt?’ ”

Bauers, whom the Padres selected in the seventh round in 2013 out of high school in Huntington Beach, Calif., has moved quickly. Traded after he hit .296 in his full-season debut at low Class A Fort Wayne in 2014, he made an impression with the Rays in 2015.

In 128 games at high Class A Charlotte and Montgomery, he hit a combined .272/.342/.418 with 11 homers, 32 doubles and an organization-leading 76 RBIs.

He ranks as the Rays’ No. 4 prospect and best hitter for average.

“Obviously I go out there and love to hit,” Bauers said, “but I also take pride in my defense. I like to think when I’m out there on the field I can make a difference.’’

COOL RAYS

• The Rays claimed outfielder Jake Goebbert on waivers from the Pirates and assigned him to Triple-A Durham.

• The Rays released Dan Johnson in late March, but his bid to become a knuckleball pitcher continues. He signed with Bridgeport of the independent Atlantic League.