CLEVELAND\u2014It was a typical day in the field for Blaze Alexander. He started Sunday against the Cleveland Guardians in center field, and after Dylan Beavers hit for third baseman Weston Wilson in the fifth, the 26-year-old utility player moved to third.<\/p>\n
It was Alexander\u2019s second start in center field. He\u2019s started six times at third, four times at second, and twice at shortstop.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s been my major league career,\u201d Alexander said. \u201cThat\u2019s my role right now, moving around, defensive replacement late in games. If I\u2019m not in there to start, showing up to the ballpark, knowing and thinking I\u2019m in the game every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander, who was acquired from Arizona just before spring training began, played second base, shortstop and third base for the Diamondbacks in his first two years in the majors and added center field last year.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s been vital in the absence of second baseman Jackson Holliday and third baseman Jordan Westburg.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tools jump out at you,\u201d third base coach Buck Britton said. \u201cThis guy\u2019s a super athlete. His ability to move around the field. He works hard. It\u2019s not easy to move around like that. Having his athletic ability helps. There\u2019s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes. A good guy to have on the bench or whether he\u2019s starting. He can play anywhere. He\u2019s a nice guy to have.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander was hitless in three at-bats and is hitting .213. Entering Sunday\u2019s game, Alexander\u2019s expected batting average was .333.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t look at it as unlucky,\u201d manager Craig Albernaz said. \u201cI look at it that his approach at the plate is where it needs to be. He\u2019s getting his swing off and he\u2019s barreling the ball.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce the ball leaves your bat, you can\u2019t impact whether it\u2019s going to be a hit or not, whether he\u2019s going to make a play. We talk with our guys about the process. With Blaze, we want him to keep doing what he\u2019s doing and hopefully that stuff will even out. Even if it doesn\u2019t, more often than not, what he\u2019s doing at the plate is going to help us win a lot of games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Albernaz has two extremely valuable players, Alexander and Jeremiah Jackson, both of whom play multiple positions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s unbelievable,\u201d he said. \u201cBeing able to navigate in-game moves is huge. He can pop out to center. He can go anywhere in the dirt. When guys are banged up or need a day, he can fill in at any spot. If Gunnar [Henderson] needs a DH day, we don\u2019t take a hit. Blaze can play shortstop. It\u2019s just a huge asset to have.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander, who has just one extra-base hit in his 17 games, had 20 extra-base hits (12 doubles, a triple, seven home runs) in 74 games with Arizona last year, says he\u2019s not worried about the stats.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re definitely hoping for it to even out,\u201d Alexander said. \u201cA couple of good barrels that found some grass, possibly some extra-base hits.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t looked at any expected numbers. Obviously as a player, I\u2019m looking at the numbers that are on the board. Nowhere near satisfied. A couple of balls drop here and there, it looks a little different. Been playing for a pretty long time, keep having good at bats, it\u2019s going to turn around.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander is another extrovert in a clubhouse with several who can be classified that way. He wants to see smiles from his teammates.]<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen they see me, hopefully make their day better,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s how you\u2019ve got to be. We have multiple high-energy guys on this team. I think that\u2019s why we\u2019re such a close-knit group. There\u2019s no cliques on this team. Everyone talks to everyone, buys playing video games together. Everyone is playing Clash Royale on their phones. It\u2019s a connected group.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander is enjoying his time in Baltimore.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s pretty cool,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to live in a city. I\u2019m right downtown in the city. That\u2019s kind of how I envisioned being in the big leagues, being in an apartment or a condo overlooking the city, playing ball for that city. I\u2019m enjoying it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Arizona, it was easier living. I was still living at home,\u201d he said. \u201cMy parents lived out there. They were cooking my breakfast.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrowing up a little bit, cooking my own food. I have my girlfriend with me. She\u2019s helping me. I\u2019m liking it. I\u2019ve grown up as a person and a player.\u201d<\/p>\n