Yankees prospect draws attention for being a ‘switch-fielder’

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The baseball world has seen many switch-hitters and even a few switch-pitchers. But Yankees prospect Anthony Seigler goes a level up with his switch-fielding capabilities. On Wednesday night, he took the field for Double-A Somerset as a left-handed-throwing left fielder. Then, on Thursday night, he amazed again by performing as a right-handed-throwing catcher.

The ambidextrous Yankees prospect immediately hogged the limelight with his unique defensive ability. However, Anthony Seigler’s remarkable ambidexterity came into the spotlight when the Yankees picked him as the 23rd overall selection in the 2018 Draft from Cartersville (Ga.) High School. While scouts were impressed by his capacity to consistently throw in the mid-80s using either arm, it was his overall skills that led to his draft as a catcher.

Who is Anthony Seigler – Yankees switch-fielder prospect

At only 24 years old, Anthony Seigler possesses a unique ability that could revolutionize the game of baseball. As a strong prospect for the New York Yankees, Seigler has showcased an extraordinary talent: the ability to throw with both hands.

Selected as the 23rd overall pick by the Yankees in the 2018 draft, Seigler has been making waves in his debut season for the Bombers’ Double-A affiliate, the Somerset Patriots.

What sets Anthony Seigler apart is his versatility, as he excels both as a catcher and an outfielder. Remarkably, he can switch his handedness depending on the position he’s playing. This week, fans witnessed the Yankees prospect performing as a left-handed thrower in left field, only to see him take the field as a right-handed catcher the following night.

Hailing from Georgia, Anthony Seigler further showcases his exceptional talents as a switch hitter. Despite facing some struggles at the plate with a .166 batting average in 46 games for the Patriots this season, he has displayed an impressive eye for the strike zone and exceptional defensive skills. Despite hitting just one home run, his on-base percentage (OBP) stands at a commendable .324, largely due to his remarkable 35 walks.

Anthony Seigler’s multi-dimensional skills have piqued the interest of baseball enthusiasts, and his future in the sport holds great promise as he continues to refine and demonstrate his unique talents on the field.

A dream player for every manager

Having players with the ability to switch throwing hands is undoubtedly a defensive dream for any manager. However, the reality is that it may not be as simple as it sounds.

Since entering professional play, Anthony Seigler has primarily operated behind the plate, utilizing his right hand for throws. However, he broke this pattern on Wednesday during his debut as a left fielder for the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate. Wearing a glove on his right hand, the Yankees prospect embraced the axiom that asserts the ball’s tendency to seek you out.

Anthony Seigler mentioned that when he was younger, he used to play outfield as a lefty, which led to his conviction that if he ever had the chance to do it in professional baseball, he would undoubtedly opt for the lefty approach.

In 2021, the Yankees prospect’s initial experience in the outfield took place in right field during his time with High-A Hudson Valley. During this stint, there were two defensive outs registered, although neither of them was his contribution. However, the situation changed on Wednesday when a fly ball was hit to the left by Guardians prospect Juan Brito in the bottom of the seventh inning. Anthony Seigler successfully caught the ball, which led to a bit of confusion for the broadcaster. Initially, the broadcaster mistakenly identified him as his left-handed fielding teammate Elijah Dunham. Eventually, the broadcaster resorted to referring to Seigler as “somebody.”

After successfully completing his first outfield putout and maintaining a flawless 1.000 fielding percentage as a left fielder, Anthony Seigler resumed his catching responsibilities on Thursday. Right from the start, Double-A Akron aimed to challenge his right-handed-throwing skills. Following a walk by the leadoff batter, the runner attempted to steal second during the subsequent plate appearance. The Yankees prospect responded with a precise throw, marking his ninth caught stealing of the year and the 50th of his professional career.

The most recent instance of a catcher utilizing their left hand for throws in major league play was seen with Benny Distefano, who achieved this feat in three games while playing for the Pirates back in 1989.

Anthony Seigler mentioned that he had never really been presented with the chance to catch left-handed, nor had he contemplated it. He added that the idea had lingered in the back of his mind, and others had frequently raised the topic or inquired about it. However, the Yankees prospect expressed that he felt significantly more at ease when catching right-handed.

Ambidexterity in MLB

Major League Baseball’s history of ambidextrous players has predominantly revolved around those who showcased their dual-arm talents on the pitching mound. Notable names such as Tony Mullane, Larry Corcoran, Ice Box Chamberlain, Greg A. Harris, and Pat Venditte have been part of this narrative. A standout moment occurred at the 2022 MLB Draft Combine when Jurrangelo Cijntje caught the attention of evaluators. He impressed by throwing fastballs at 94-96 mph from the right side and 88-92 mph from the left side. Despite being selected by the Brewers in the 18th round of the 2022 Draft, he opted to pursue college baseball at Mississippi State. There, he has continued to excel as an ambidextrous pitcher.

Identifying instances where Major or Minor League players throw with both arms from the field has been a challenging and unclear task. While not a commonly explored avenue, it is not completely uncharted. In the case of Carlos Cortes, chosen by the Mets in the third round of the 2018 Draft, he demonstrates this phenomenon. Cortes engages in left-handed throwing while in the outfield and right-handed throwing while in the infield. Although his main focus has shifted towards outfield duties since 2019, his unique ability provides switch-throwing position players in the Minors with a distinct skill set.

Anthony Seigler mentioned that contemplating playing in the outfield, particularly from a left-handed perspective, was interesting. However, the Yankees prospect considers being a catcher to be his primary position though he is ready for any position.

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