MESA, Ariz. - He committed to winter ball for the opportunity to play third base. Instead, Joey Wendle wound up playing lots of shortstop for Yaquis de Obregon in the Mexican League.
It all served the same purpose - make the A's second baseman more versatile for an organization that values versatility more than ever.
A glance at the numbers shows Wendle faces an uphill battle to make the 25-man roster. Oakland has veteran Jed Lowrie slated to start at second base, and Adam Rosales was brought on board to be the utility infielder. But Wendle made a strong impression in September during his first major league call-up, and he'll fight to make the A's infield roster decision a tough one.
"It's the same approach I've always kept," Wendle said Friday morning. "Just continue focusing on what I can do and playing my game. That's really all I can control. Everything else is up to the front office and coaching staff. If I do what I feel I'm capable of, I think I'll put myself in a good position to help the team out at some point this year."
The A's like the strides the 26-year-old Wendle has made defensively at second since being acquired from Cleveland in December 2014. He hit .260 with one homer and 11 RBI in 28 games in September, serving as a leadoff man for much of that time.
Manager Bob Melvin likes the fact that Wendle got experience over the winter playing on the left side of the diamond. Wendle found out when he arrived in Mexico that a shortstop originally slated to play for Obregon didn't pan out, so he got substantial time at short over the course of his 34 games.
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"I think just playing the position, understanding what the shortstop has to go through as a second baseman helps you," Melvin said. "Seeing the game from the other side of the diamond, having to make different throws. He's a pretty athletic guy.
"It wouldn't surprise me if he could do it. And if you're keeping one extra infielder and now you can add the position to your repertoire, it gives you another chance to stay at the big league level."
Wendle took only four or five days off at the end of last season before heading to Mexico, so his 2016 season essentially stretched into late November. He and his wife, Lindsey, lounged on a beach near Obregon to celebrate their second anniversary, but by the time he finished winter ball, Wendle was "pretty fried" in his words.
But he arrived at camp refreshed and ready to compete for a roster spot.
"Until a player makes it to the major leagues, there's a big question mark in his head as to whether he can do it or not," Wendle said. "(The September call-up) was big for me. I think I proved to myself to an extent that at least I'm capable of playing at that level. Obviously, it's a game of adjustments, so the ability to do that is going to be huge if I get another opportunity up there."
