Remember in 2008 when Tom Mendonca was the Most Outstanding Player at the College World Series for his defense as much as his offense?
Well now he has to wear a mask to play defense.
That's right, the Rangers are going to play Mendonca at catcher.
Normally a third baseman, Mendonca was a Texas League all-star last year. And that's the position he played at Fresno State, where he set the Bulldogs' all-time homeruns record.
"We're just trying to create options, both for Tommy and the club," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told ESPN.com. "He profiles well back there, he's committed to it, and if it pans out we've got a left-handed hitting catcher with power and that's a relative rarity."
Mendonca, who batted .278 in Double-A Frisco last year with 25 HR and 87 RBI, was one of eight players not on the major league roster to get an invitation to spring training. Former Fresno State pitcher Tanner Scheppers is also on that list.
