masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgCHICAGO – Just when Trey Mancini started to get this left field thing down and was doing well with the glove out there, he is moving back to first base.
At least for tonight, and we’ll see for how long. With Chris Davis not starting tonight and possibly headed for the disabled list with what is apparently an oblique injury, Mancini is starting tonight at first base, his original position.
“I’ve been playing there my whole life,” he said this afternoon. “In going out to the outfield it’s…

CHICAGO – Just when Trey Mancini started to get this left field thing down and was doing well with the glove out there, he is moving back to first base.

At least for tonight, and we’ll see for how long. With Chris Davis not starting tonight and possibly headed for the disabled list with what is apparently an oblique injury, Mancini is starting tonight at first base, his original position.

Mancini-First-Orange-Sidebar.jpg“I’ve been playing there my whole life,” he said this afternoon. “In going out to the outfield it’s not like playing first base has really left me too much, and I still feel comfortable there. Every inning of my minor league career was there.”

Well before regular batting practice this afternoon, Mancini was here at Guaranteed Rate Field taking ground balls and throws around the bag during early work. He has actually moved to first base late in the game each of the past three games. He has four starts at first this season.

“I think going into today we knew I would be at first base. So I wanted to get out there today and do a bit of a refresher. I am definitely prepared for it.

“Wherever they want to put me on the field, I’m prepared to do it. I hope Chris comes back soon for our team’s sake, but for right now I’m prepared to, you know, try to fill in the role there and play good defense,” he said.

Mancini received modest grades from scouts the last year or two for his defense, which some rated in the average range. But his work to get better there was continuous.

“I think I’ve calmed down a lot,” he said. “When I got drafted, I would be pretty antsy and a in a rush, even if I had time. I think it’s more relaxing and just making sure I field the ball first and then slow it down. That is something I have gotten better at,” he said.

Mancini’s bat has been just fine. He had two hits last night, including a three-run homer. He is batting .289/.335/.528 with eight doubles, 10 homers and 33 RBIs. He’s batting .455 (15-for-33) with runners in scoring position and .538 (7-for-13) with RISP and two outs.