Isiah Kiner-Falefa Takes Reps For Red Sox At Surprising Position
Isiah Kiner-Falefa reportedly worked at first base during Boston Red Sox workouts on Monday, expanding his defensive profile across all four infield spots.
Kiner-Falefa has never played first base in the majors but logged four innings there in AA back in 2016 with the Texas Rangers organization. The Red Sox clearly want the veteran available as an option anywhere in the dirt.
Kiner-Falefa’s ability to bounce between positions has been a calling card throughout his career. Adding first base to his resume increases his value on a roster that values flexibility, especially with several young infielders competing for playing time.
The move fits Boston’s spring-training approach of cross-training players to handle multiple roles. It also gives the coaching staff more lineup combinations to consider as they finalize the 26-man roster. Kiner-Falefa’s steady glove and experience make him a reliable backup plan at multiple spots, providing depth that could prove useful over a long season.
With camp just getting underway, the organization is clearly using these early days to maximize every player’s skill set.