Earlier this week the Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly signed former Minnesota Twins center fielder Jordan Schafer to a Minor-League contract with a non-roster invitation to Spring Training.
Schafer reportedly will earn $1 million this season should he make the Dodgers’ Major League roster.
Since being selected in the third round of the 2005 draft by the Atlanta Braves, Schafer has been part of the Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins organizations.
One constant as the 29 year old worked his way up the Minor League ranks and spent parts of six seasons in the Majors with the Braves, Astros and Twins was he played in the outfield — primarily center field.
That appears to be changing a bit with the Dodgers, who may look to utilize Schafer as an outfielder and left-handed reliever, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
The Dodgers envision Schafer in a hybrid role as a defense-first center fielder and a left-handed reliever, with the emphasis on pitching. He was a pitcher in high school but has not taken the mound in a professional game.
With the Dodgers current surplus of outfielders, it is unlikely that Schafer would make the Major League roster out of Spring Training. Thus, if he can also be an effective lefty reliever, that may be his ticket to the show.
The Dodgers currently have Luis Avilan, J.P. Howell and Adam Liberatore who may be part of their bullpen picture in 2016 as far as left-handers are concerned. Additionally, it’s possible Alex Wood will be the odd man out in a starting rotation that has more depth than last season’s group.
Schafer is a career .228/.308/.307 hitter with 12 home runs, 48 doubles and 85 RBIs in 463 Major league games. In 74 plate appearance last season with the Twins he slashed .217/.250/.261 with five RBIs.
