The little Leaguers of O reflect the importance of versatility

Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, Jackson Holliday.

Three players who were top prospects in baseball. Two of them were literally the best prospects in the game. All were collected as shortstops.

Even if they developed into future franchise pillars, they still have not settled in a position.

Holliday played the second base, the third base and shortstop in the course of 218 Minor League games. Westburg also played all three as well as left and right for a good measure. Henderson did not venture into the outdoor field grass, but played everywhere in the Infield, including the first basis.

The Orioles Farm emphasized the versatility, and even the top prospects in the system followed the example. While their versatility pays dividends on the large league level, it was not “necessary” for them to carry out the system.

The prospects Max Wagner and Tavian Josenberger, who are currently not classified in the top 30 prospects of the MLB pipeline, do not have the same luxury. And their versatility makes a significant contribution to helping them find a place in the line -up.

And you use players like Westburg as an example.

“This is the guy that people said just because he is versatile, he is able to play everywhere and to beat in any place in the line -up,” said Wagner in Bowie. “This is something I want to be. A way to get into the line -up. I will climb into the outer field, I will catch when I have to. A way to get into the line -up and play.”

Although Wagner was a former second round, he has the reason that he had missed almost a full season due to an injury. He knows that it will help him to be able to play anywhere on the diamond.

“I know that the versatility in this organization is enormous,” added Wagner. “The third is primarily and then the second basis, but I worked a little at first. A way to bring myself into the list, I see it and as you see it. Only in different positions on the field, different shifts, different depths, such things. Different floor balls, from one side of the diamond to the other.”

Josenberger, a selection in the third round in 2023, sees Wagner’s Infield versatility and increases the ability to roam the outer field too. The former Arkansas Razorback and Kansas Jayhawk played a whopping six different positions in 2024.

What does a low season like to play so many positions?

“You need a lot of space,” joked Josenberger. “Especially when it is somewhere that it is cold. Make sure you bring in your earth balls and your fly balls.”

So basically everything.

Outside of catchers, you will find none of Wagner and Josenberger’s position player teammate on the BaySox, which does not play several positions. At Triple-A Norfolk you will find a lot of the same.

To see that it pays off, just look at how the Big League season started.

After Holliday had spent a low season to play the second basis, he started the season in Shortstop. After an all-star season in the hot corner, Westburg jumped onto the second basis. And now, with Henderson’s return, Holliday is back in third place in the second and westernburg.

Brandon Hyde has many ways to get his best players in the line -up.

Wagner and Josenberger hope that their versatility enables them to be in this mix in the coming years.