Arizona Diamondbacks utility player Blaze Alexander has learned from his up-and-down rookie season in the major leagues to his time down in the minors. Now, he’s using what he’s picked up at different positions as he gears up for a super-utility role in 2025.
“I’m working at third base, I’m working at shortstop, second (base),” Alexander said Monday on Burns & Gambo. “There’s talks about maybe a little outfield here, so definitely kinda embrace that super-utility role and whatever the team needs. I just want to go out there and be a big leaguer and help the Diamondbacks win.”
With former D-back Kevin Newman signing with the Los Angeles Angels this offseason, the door is open for someone to take over the super-utility role.
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Newman appeared in 116 games last season on defense, with most of his time in the infield.
On the left side of the infield, Newman tallied 55 games at shortstop and six games at third base. On the right side, he played 44 games at second base and 10 games at first. He also played one game in left field.
Alexander is looking to fill the the vacated role by getting reps at multiple positions in spring training to build off his 20 games at shortstop, 17 games at second base and eight games at third in his rookie year.
Alexander made the opening day roster last season and slashed .247/.321/.343 with three home runs and 21 RBIs in 61 games (185 plate appearances).
He spent March-June on the big league club thanks to a hot start offensive before being optioned to the Triple-A Reno Aces and playing his first game with them on July 4.
With the Aces, the rookie slashed .214/.304/.371 with three home runs and five RBIs over 18 games (79 plate appearances) in July before getting called back up to the D-backs in August.
Diamondbacks veteran Randal Grichuk takes Blaze Alexander under his wing
Whether he’s needed as a pinch-runner, pinch-hitter or a defensive replacement, Alexander said Randal Grichuk’s advice last season helped him turn his mindset around as a utility player coming off the bench.
What lessons from last season will Blaze Alexander take with him into 2025?
Full interview: t.co/rQevySl0tp pic.twitter.com/qymMvRDJqS
— The Burns & Gambo Show (@BurnsAndGambo) February 25, 2025
“First couple games I was on the bench, I didn’t even go into the batting cages during the game,” Alexander said. “I just didn’t know. I thought, ‘Hey, I’m on the bench. I’m not playing today.’ So that’s when Randall Grichuk … when we were in Atlanta, he took me under his wing.”
Depending on the game situation, Grichuk took Alexander into the batting cages in the fifth or sixth inning. He also helped him stretch and get ready whenever his number was called.
It quickly became part of the routine for Alexander.
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