As teams across MLB begin to adapt to the new rule changes this season, Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor sees them as an opportunity, namely about the ban of the shift.
No longer allowed to move all over the diamond prior to a pitcher’s delivery, infielders such as Lindor will be confined to their “natural” position as the new rule states: “At the time a pitch is thrown, all four infielders are required to be on the infield dirt (or infield grass) with two on each side of second base. Players will be able to move as soon as the ball leaves the pitcher's hand.”
With that, the shortstop will need to flash some leather a bit more this season as opposed to just being in the right place at the right time, so to speak.
That doesn’t bother Lindor. But, perhaps for inspiration, this offseason he did study some of the great defensive shortstops during life before the shift.
“I was watching a lot of video of Jimmy Rollins, (Barry) Larkin, (Jose) Reyes and different guys that they dive, get up and throw the ball, and I was counting their steps and it was like six, seven steps,” Lindor told SNY in an interview that aired on Wednesday night's episode of Mets Hot Stove. “They were catching the Jeter play, catching the ball, jump, throw, and it was like, that was fun.”
Not one to shy away from the moment, Lindor expects that the new rule will allow him to shine on defense, just as those great players did before him.
In fact, when asked if all of this will mean more excitement out of him this season, Lindor kept it simple.
“Probably. I will say yes, 100 percent, because I’ll probably be making more diving plays and more extraordinary plays,” he said.