Nady hopes to eat up foes as super sub

By: JOHN MAFFEI - Staff Writer | Sunday, March 13, 2005 8:59 PM PST ∞

PEORIA, Ariz. ---- For most folks, a super sub is something you find on a deli menu, a sandwich stuffed with a variety of meats and cheeses.

This spring, Xavier Nady has added some variety to his plate as he hopes to carve out 400 or more at-bats as the Padres' super sub.

A third baseman in college at California, the right-handed hitting Nady had deserted the position in favor of life as an outfielder/first baseman in the professional ranks.

But with the Padres loaded with left-handed hitters ---- third baseman Sean Burroughs and the entire outfield of Ryan Klesko, Dave Roberts and Brian Giles ---- and with first baseman Phil Nevin somewhat of an ironman, Padres management asked Nady to go to the Arizona Instructional League over the winter and relearn his old position.

"Some people look at this as a vote of no confidence for Burroughs," said Padres manager Bruce Bochy. "That isn't the case at all.

"Our goal is to get Nady 350 to 400 at-bats this season. One way of doing that is for him to be able to give Sean a day off, as well as any of the outfielders.

"We'd like to have Nady in the lineup against as many left-handed starters as possible, all of them if it works out that way."

Last season, the Padres faced 52 left-handed starters and were 29-23 against them.

That's not bad, but Nady could help it be better.

Nady has battled injuries through his career. He underwent Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on his elbow at the end of the 2001 season, he turned an ankle early last season and missed 18 games at Triple-A Portland, and he tweaked his shoulder earlier this spring diving for a ball. He must stay healthy to take advantage of his opportunities.

"Nady has some power from the right side," Bochy said. "We need that, especially in our ballpark. Plus, he can run and throw. We need to run him out there as much as possible."

The Padres' second-round selection in the 2000 draft, Nady has played in just 145 major-league games ---- 110 of those as a rookie in 2003 when he hit .267 with nine homers and 39 RBIs. He was the National League Rookie of the Month in May 2003 when he hit .320 with five homers and 15 RBIs.

But there was no room on the roster when the team broke camp last spring, so he spent the majority of the season at Triple-A Portland. He played in just 34 games for the Padres, hitting .247 with three homers and nine RBIs.

And while he feels he has the talent to be an everyday player, he has accepted the role of super sub.

"I was in a comfort zone as an outfielder, so the challenge is getting accustomed to playing different positions while not losing my comfort level in the outfield," Nady said. "Honestly, I've embraced the challenge."

A regular at third base in college, it had been four years since he played the hot corner before the Padres asked him to switch back. The experience he gained in college has helped him make the transition easier.

"It's going to take a while to get comfortable again, but at least I'm not starting from scratch," Nady said. "Third base is the toughest position from a reaction standpoint. A lot of the balls you get at third are smoked.

"I've done a lot of extra work over there to get a sense of comfort."

Nady is trying to take at least 100 ground balls a day at third, working with infield coach Rob Picciolo on positioning and footwork. But there is nothing like game speed.

"That's why I want him over there as much as possible this spring," Bochy said. "He got more than a half-dozen chances Saturday in Tucson, and that's what we wanted.

"He threw a ball away and booted one, but that's OK. The more balls he sees there live in game action the better he'll get."

Nady is already an accomplished defensive outfielder. Next to Roberts, he's the team's best outfield defender. And there is no question he has the best arm of all the outfielders, so he's already ticketed as a late-inning replacement for Klesko in left.

"That doesn't bother me," Nady said. "On every good team, players have roles. If mine is to play against left-handed pitchers, pinch-hit and play defense, OK. I just want an opportunity to play, produce and help the ball club.

"I'll do whatever they ask."

In the spring, Nady has been asked to play all three outfield spots as well as first and third.

"The outfield isn't a problem," Nady said. "Center is great because you see the pitches so well and you get great angles on balls. Left and right aren't a problem."

The problem comes in the infield where bunt defenses and cutoffs are entirely different from one side of the diamond to the other.

"The hardest thing for me is to remember is bunt defenses ---- where I'm supposed to be," Nady said. "And then, I need to remember who takes what cutoff from what fielder.

"It keeps you busy, keeps you thinking. There is no time to relax, but I love it."

Contact staff writer John Maffei at (760) 740-3547 or jmaffei@nctimes.com.