Yankees find ‘natural’ first-base gem as Jon Berti impresses in debut
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Follow UsIn the New York Yankees’ 4-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals in Game 2 of the American League Division Series, Jon Berti stood out as an unexpected highlight. Despite making his first career start at first base, Berti’s performance drew praise for his adaptability.
TBS broadcaster Ron Darling remarked on Jon Berti’s smooth play at the new position, “He looks like a natural.”
Jon Berti’s most notable moment came in the sixth inning when he executed a key unassisted double play that helped reliever Tim Hill escape a jam. With runners on first and third and one out, he snagged MJ Melendez’s hard-hit line drive—clocked at 105.3 mph by Statcast—and swiftly stepped on first to complete the double play, diving to make the crucial catch.
At the plate, Jon Berti, hitting ninth, went 1-for-4. His start at first base was a rare feat, making him only the fifth player in Major League Baseball history to make his first start at a fielding position in a postseason game after playing at least 100 regular-season games. The most recent player to achieve this was Carlos Santana, who started in left field for Cleveland in Game 3 of the 2016 World Series.
Other players in this exclusive group include Patsy Dougherty (1903 World Series, right field), Jake Flowers (1931 World Series, third base), and Ichiro Suzuki (2001 ALCS, left field). Notably, Jon Berti, Dougherty, and Ichiro had no prior big-league experience at their new positions.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Jon Berti’s preparation and effort, emphasizing the importance of his adaptability. Boone acknowledged that while there’s always a learning curve with position changes, he trusted Berti’s ability to handle the role. With limited options at first base, Boone highlighted Jon Berti’s flexibility as a key asset.
“He’s really looked the part in a lot of the work he’s done over there all week long,” the Yankees manager remarked said. “He was in here working yesterday. He brings a lot to the table. … It doesn’t mean you don’t make a mistake, but we’re a little depleted there. I have a lot of confidence in the person.”
Jon Berti deserves the first-base chance
The New York Yankees are grappling with a tough situation at first base following Anthony Rizzo’s injury, which left him with two fractured fingers on his right hand. The injury, suffered just before the postseason, has forced the Yankees into using a rotating lineup at the position during a crucial stretch.
Jon Berti, who had never played first base in a professional game before Monday, was tasked with filling the void. Despite the challenge, Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed confidence in Jon Berti’s athleticism and preparation, noting the solid work Berti had put in during practice.
“I feel good about him, like I do with Cabrera,’’ he said about his lineup selection. “Jon is a really good infielder and really looked the part with the work he did there this week. He’s athletic.’’
Though the Yankees lost the game, Jon Berti’s defensive effort stood out. He played a key role in ending the fourth inning by handling a cutoff throw from right field, which led to Maikel Garcia being caught in a rundown. Berti’s most significant contribution came in the sixth inning when he caught a hard-line drive off the bat of MJ Melendez and quickly turned it into an inning-ending double play with runners on first and third.
Reflecting on his unexpected debut at first base, Jon Berti acknowledged the challenge of learning the position but said he was pleased with his overall performance. He added that while perfection wasn’t expected, he aimed to keep improving. Berti also made an impact at the plate, extending the Yankees’ ninth-inning rally with a single to right field.
“I’m doing the best I can to learn and be an athlete,’’ he said. “I felt good overall. I don’t expect it to be perfect. I’m just trying to be a baseball player and I felt pretty comfortable.”
The future of the first base position for the Yankees remains uncertain. Boone hinted that rookie Ben Rice, a converted catcher who spent much of the summer playing first base, could see action as the series progresses.
Interestingly, Jon Berti’s path to the New York Yankees began in March when he was acquired from the Miami Marlins in a three-team trade. In exchange, the Yankees sent catcher Ben Rortvedt to the Tampa Bay Rays and outfielder John Cruz to Miami. However, injuries limited Berti to just 25 games in his debut season with New York.
Jon Berti’s year was interrupted twice by injury. A strained groin sidelined him early in the season, and after a brief return in May, a calf strain kept him out for more than three months. Despite the setbacks, he managed to deliver respectable numbers in his limited time on the field, recording a .273/.342/.318 slash line with one home run, six RBIs, and five stolen bases.
Originally, Jon Berti was seen as a possible fill-in for DJ LeMahieu, who started the season with a foot injury. Berti showcased his defensive versatility, appearing in 18 games at third base (17 starts), two games at second base (one start), and even a stint in left field. Before his time with the Yankees, the player had played every position except first base and catcher.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone explained that Jon Berti had some brief experience at first base during spring training earlier in his career. Boone’s decision to start him at first base in a key playoff game was based on several factors. He believed Jon Berti had earned the opportunity and could play a vital role if the team advanced deeper into the postseason. The Yankees manager was also impressed with the way Jon Berti prepared for first base in the days leading up to the game, praising his infield skills.
Boone noted Jon Berti’s speed and ability to make contact as important reasons for his inclusion in the lineup. Although Berti had limited at-bats for the Yankees due to injuries, he had shown his ability to contribute, particularly against left-handed pitchers. In his previous season with the Marlins, he posted an OPS of .804 against lefties.
“He’s a really talented infielder and brings an element to our lineup,” the skipper told about Jon Berti. “It made a lot of sense.”
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