Vincej solidifies consistent spot at short for Rainiers
Minor league baseball is a game of constant movement within rosters. Transactions are made every day, and with organizations wanting to see different players in different positions, few ever become true stalwarts at one spot.
Heading into the second half of July though, that’s just what Zach Vincej has become for the Tacoma Rainiers at shortstop.
Vincej has started every game since July 5 for Tacoma at short, and his 66 starts there are the most of any Rainier player at any position.
“It’s been great,” Vincej said at Cheney Stadium before Saturday night’s game. “It’s what every player wants to do is be out there consistently. For me, it’s just trying to get some reps and help the team win at any cost.”
Vincej has a .960 fielding percentage at short, and his 144 assists lead the Rainiers by a wide margin. He’s also been producing at the plate, leading the Rainiers with 44 RBIs. His home/away split has been stark; he’s hitting .270 in 43 games at Cheney Stadium, and just .200 in 34 road games.
Earlier in the season, Vincej had split time in the middle infield with Gordon Beckham, alternating between shortstop and second base. When Beckham was called up to Seattle, the job at short became Vincej’s, but since Beckham came back, it’s stayed that way.
With Vincej at shortstop, the Rainiers have solidified one of the most consistent left-side duos in the PCL with him and Seth Mejias-Brean at third base.
The two have history together; both were drafted by the Cincinnati in 2012, began rookie ball together, and spent four years together in the Reds organization. Now they’re back together, holding down half of the Tacoma infield.
“I know everything about him and where he plays defensively,” Vincej said. “We communicate a lot out there as well, which helps both of us in our positioning. It’s great being right next to him every day, and I hope that continues.”
Andreoli back
Two Rainiers went up to Seattle Friday. So far, only one has come back. Daniel Vogelbach earned the start at first for the Mariners Saturday game against the White Sox, but John Andreoli is back in the Tacoma lineup, starting in right field.
Andreoli came in as a pinch runner for Nelson Cruz in Seattle’s 3-1 win over Chicago on Friday night. It was his third time up with the Mariners this season, after spending four years constrained to Triple-A with the Cubs organization. So far this season, Andreoli is 1 for 5 with a walk in the big leagues, and is hitting .285 with three home runs in Tacoma.
“John can help you win a game in a bunch of different ways,” Rainiers manager Pat Listach said. “Defense, baserunning, his bat. It’s good for him, and he got into the game.”