Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez is hoping to stick at his new position after converting from third base, reports triblive.com.
On opening day, Alvarez will be the team's 54th first baseman in its 129-year history.
“It's a matter of getting used to seeing the field from that point of view,” Alvarez said. “I need to get the reps in so the responsibilities that come with playing that position become second nature to me.”
Pirates general manager Neal Huntington talked about the team's past efforts of platooning the position.
“You can't develop something you don't have. You can't buy something you can't afford,” general manager Neal Huntington said. “That's why we've tried to platoon. Over the last couple of years, we've realized that's a challenge for a National League manager. Platoons are much harder here than they are in the American League, especially with a one-dimensional player who can only play one position.”
The hope around the organization is that they can get quality production from Alvarez.
“Our hope that is between Pedro Alvarez and Corey Hart, we'll get quality major league production,” Huntington said.
The 28-year-old is batting .306 with two home runs, nine RBI and eight strikeouts this spring.