Last year Matt Tuiasosopo was known as a butcher at third base.  He’d have to take big strides to make it as a big league third baseman.

Then came Spring Training 2009, and the reports on his defense were that it was much improved, but still needed some work.  But towards the end of camp he started having some issues with his elbow and wasn’t able to play in the field.  He eventually needed surgery, and while rehabbing he whipped himself into arguably the best physical shape of his professional career.  He came back in good enough shape that the Tacoma Rainiers were able to play him at second base with a straight face.

The same team played Mike Morse at second base, and by all accounts he was the worse defensively second baseman ever.  I was able to witness it first hand a couple of times, and it was definitely the best comedy of the summer.  At that time the Tacoma Rainiers were just trying to get everyone into the lineup.  They had several other hitters playing out of position, such as Bryan LaHair and Brad Nelson in the outfield and Chris Shelton at third base.  So when Tuiasosopo was first moved to second I assumed it was the same deal.

And it probably was, for the most part, but Tuiasosopo surprised many at second base.  I only saw him play once, and he showed more lateral range than Lopez in that one look.  Those I’ve talked to that see him on a regular basis have been very impressed with his work there and think he could hold onto the position.  This is an interesting development.

I don’t believe Tui would be able to handle second base last season as big as he was.  He’s still a massive guy, but he’s slimmer, sleeker, lighter on his feet.  The rehab definitely made a move to second base possible.  But does it help him as a third baseman?

Sure.  Just about any athlete will perform better if they’re in in better physical condition.  But the positions are very different.  No one questions Tuiasosopo’s athleticism based on his genes and his history as a top prep recruit at QB, but third base isn’t about athleticism.  Certainly it helps on some plays, but on the majority of plays reaction time, first step and quick hands are going to matter more than anything, and this is something Tuiasosopo has reportedly struggled with.  At second base he’s able to fully utilize that athleticism.  The first step isn’t always great, but he has very good range for a big man and can make more plays at second than he can at third.

Tuiasosopo is starting at second base for the Seattle Mariners tonight, so we’ll all get a decent look at how he’s coming around at the new position.  If Tui is ever considered for the starting job there, keep in mind that his defense doesn’t have to be stellar.  If he can be an average defender he should have more than enough bat to make up for it.  Some are concerned about his bat as a poor defending third baseman, but as an average defending second baseman it stacks up very, very nicely.

I think Tui has the chance to hit enough to be a third baseman, defense aside.  That said, his offense at second base is even better.  But should he fail as a starter in the near future or never get a chance, he could make for an interesting utility player (3B, 2B, 1B, LF, RF) at the very least, which is valuable in itself.