When the San Diego Padres signed infielder Sung-Mun Song in December, they saw becoming a versatile roster piece who could play nearly any position on the field. That hasn’t happened yet, and Song is currently working at second base and shortstop as he recovers from an oblique strain, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.
Those are the two positions Song played for the Kiwoom Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization, and the infielder remains something of a mystery as the Padres expose him to other positions. He hasn’t played shortstop since middle school, and Song has never played in the outfield, but the Padres have learning both positions at the big-league level on his to-do list.
“Whenever [manager Craig Stammen] needs me to,” Song said through interpreter Jun Yi. “It’s going to be different playing in the outfield or at shortstop. But if the team needs me to play it, then I have to prepare for it.”
It’s an ambitious agenda, and the Padres wanted to give him time to acclimate to his new environment before throwing these challenges at him. He got off to a slow start, but Song has had a hit in each of the Padres’ last two spring training games.
“I got my first hit [Thursday], and then my pressure is kind of gone,” Song said. “I’m getting along with my teammates good. So it’s been a good two days.”
Song’s value to the Padres will soar if he can add left field and short to his positional resume. San Diego currently has an opening in its starting lineup against right-handed pitching, presumably at DH is Gavin Sheets is handling the regular duties at first base, according to Cassavell.
Stammen reportedly wants to use the DH spot as a revolving door for his regular starters. That would keep older veterans like shortstop Xander Bogaerts and third baseman Manny Machado off their feet but still in the lineup, and Stammen has also expressed a preference for a roster with verstatile defensive options.
The number of possibilities expands if Song masters outfield defense, and the padres also believe in Song’s offensive potential given that he’s coming offf consecutive seasons with an OPS over .900, according to Cassavell.
Song has commented on the increased velocity and movement he’s facing from MLB pitchers, and so far he’s 2-for-9 with three walks. He should get more starts with Machado and Bogaerts leaving camp to play in the WBC.
“I’ll get more at-bats during the game,” Song said. “Then I’ll see more pitchers, and that hopefully makes me more comfortable.”
There’s plenty of competition for all the positions where Song hopes to see action, but it’s the infielder’s glove work that could provide the value the Padres want. It’s yet another experiment for a team with a thin roster and payroll limitations to squeeze every bit of talent from everyone, regardless of the position or role.