TODAY: Schafer will attempt a transition to pitching, according to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). He was a two-way prospect in high school, and told Ben Badler of Baseball America (back in 2008) that he was far more serious about his future as a hurler before being drafted.
YESTERDAY: The Dodgers and outfielder Jordan Schafer are in agreement on a minor league contract, according to Jon Heyman (Twitter link). Schafer would earn a $1MM salary upon making the Major League roster, he adds. Schafer is represented by Relativity Sports.
Los Angeles already has a glut of outfielders on the 40-man roster, making Schafer a likely depth piece. The 29-year-old spent the end of the 2014 campaign and the early portion of the 2015 season with the Twins, even serving as Minnesota’s Opening Day center fielder this past season. However, after a .285/.347/.362 debut with the Twins over the final couple months of that ’14 season, Schafer struggled to a .217/.250/.261 slash through 74 plate appearances.
Schafer landed on the disabled list in May and was released upon returning to health. Formerly one of the Braves’ top prospects, Schafer is a .228/.308/.307 hitter in the Majors. While he’s never hit much, he does he plenty of speed, having stolen 103 bases in 133 attempts over the course of 463 Major League games (1472 plate appearances).
Serious question:
Why would he sign with a club he has basically zero chance of getting significant MLB action in. Dodgers are loaded with outfielders, was Schafer not able to get a deal from any other club?
Or was it about money?
Maybe he just want to play and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gone time in the majors since puig and pederson are unknown and crawford is useless and who know if ethier will be the player he was last season
maybe he has come to realization that hes an AAAA player and well Oklahoma city dodgers will have one of the best rotations in the minors just saying
came pretty close
I guess it never hurts to have too many OF but I like the article says he most likely just depth
1M to be a minor leaguer. not to bad Jordan.
1mil if he gets on the MLB roster.
About all he’s good for is pinch running. I remember when he came up he was full of himself. A lot like Lastings Milledge.
This guy was with Houston right?
Braves-Astros-Braves(again)-Twins-now dodgers
My guess is that this is a no pressure position where he can just relax and get the opportunity.
If he can show a higher consistency in AAA, then ….
“Schaefer will attempt a transition to pitching”
So this must be the Dodgers reason why they didn’t resign Greinke!
Yeah Schafer should slot in nicely between Kershaw and Maeda
…just staying in the game – bet you would too if the annual top line could hit $1M!
As a Braves fan, I wish Jordan a lot of luck in his new endeavor. Plus, if he is good then he can be the next Jesse Orosco and pitch until he is nearly 50. Oh, the joys of being Left Handed playing baseball.
Moving from a position to pitching isn’t completely unheard of, but at age 29?
Sure jensen was younger but look how it turn out for him. He went from catcher to one of th best closers in the game
Most of the players who made the transition (such as Jansen) did it in the minors, and nobody AFAIK has even tried it after so many years playing position in the majors. Pretty unusual if not unique.
Brilliant! Dig this: Bottom of the sixth inning, Schafer warming up in the bullpen. A.J. Ellis doubles. Schafer brought in as pinch runner, eventually scoring the tying run. Top of the seventh. Schafer takes the mound and retires two lefties. Roberts comes to the mound, brings in Yimi to retire a right hander, moving Schafer to left field to replace Crawford. Bottom of the seventh. Dodgers rally, Schafer hits a grand slam to put LA in front. Top of the eighth. Yimi retires two righties and Roberts brings Schafer back from left field to retire a leftie and close out the eighth. Schafer back in left field for the ninth as Hatcher nails down the win.
To era of the two-way player is about to begin!
Not so sure you can re-enter the game as a pitcher once you’ve pitched and been taken out…
Since he wouldn’t be leaving the game, just switching positions, he certainly can re-enter as a pitcher. He would just have to abide by the rule that all pitchers would have to face at least one batter when they come in to pitch.
mcdusty31– If you stay on the field like described above you can. Sean Marshall walked a lead off batter, sat in LF for a hitter then got the next two guys out for the Cubs in 2009.
baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN200907122.shtm…
Nice scenario, but I won’t be impressed until he pinch hits for himself.
Jordan Schafer will be a hall of fame pitcher. Now he gets to show his real potential. Best of luck Jordan, you deserve it.