Shoemaker helping the Z's at new position

In his first five years of professional baseball, Brady Shoemaker spent his games in the outfield. But in his last two seasons with the Marlins organization, Shoemaker has gained experience as an infielder.

The 27-year-old has proven to be a versatile player for the Zephyrs this season and made the transition from left field to first base on a semi-regular basis over the last three weeks.

He spent his first year of professional baseball in short-season play with the Bristol White Sox. Shoemaker was promoted the final week of the season and made his AAA debut with the Charlotte Knights where he knocked in his first home run in Triple-A against Durham on Sept. 4, 2009. Shoemaker hit a combined .305 and was named an All-Star in three of his four seasons with the White Sox organization.

Shoemaker was picked up by the Marlins in the Minor League Rule V Draft but missed the entire 2013 season after undergoing surgery for a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Shoemaker had to adjust to taking a year off from the game he loved to play his entire life.

"Missing the whole year was a different experience. When you do something your whole life every year, you're going to miss it. All aspects of it, the clubhouse, the games, just being around the guys," said Shoemaker.

He made his recovery and returned in 2014 with the Marlins' Double-A affiliate in Jacksonville. Shoemaker put up career-best numbers as a Southern League All-Star with the Suns, with 12 home runs and a career-high 71 RBI. Jacksonville won their last 10 games of the regular to clinch the division and Shoemaker blasted a three-run homer in the division-clinching game to defeat Mobile 6-5 last September.

"We had a heck of a ride last year," said Shoemaker. "The team all came together at the right time when we needed to play well."

Shoemaker was instrumental in the Suns' postseason run with two homers and five RBIs to help the Suns to the Southern League title. It was in his time with Jacksonville that Shoemaker first made the transition from the outfield to the infield when he played 35 games at first base for the Suns.

His infield experience is now benefiting the Zephyrs this season. After Justin Bour was recalled by the Marlins two weeks ago, Shoemaker moved into the starting lineup at first base. He has hit .423 in seven error-free starts at first and says the transition to the infield is different, but he is willing to do his best to help the team.

"It's different on the infield. You have to be prepared and you have to think ahead a lot," said Shoemaker. "In the outfield, it's more reaction, knowing where the ball has to go."

After his first month in Triple-A with New Orleans, Shoemaker went into Thursday's game batting .349, the ninth-best mark in the Pacific Coast League. He says that as a batter, facing off against veteran pitchers is an adjustment.

"They know how to pitch you. But along the same lines, you have to stay with your approach, do what you're good at," said Shoemaker. "Stick with your game plan and fight every at-bat."