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...Most baseball fans are familiar with the classic Warner Brothers cartoon in which Bugs Bunny plays all nine positions at once for his hometown baseball team, the TeaTotallers.
This summer, Chad Lundahl has essentially become a real-life version of the rascally rabbit.
Although Lundahl hasn’t yet played all nine positions simultaneously, the 23-year-old from California has certainly showcased remarkable versatility for the Rome Braves.
In addition to seeing action at shortstop, his natural position, Lundahl has been used at first base, second base, right field, designated hitter and –– yes, believe it or not ––pitcher and catcher.
Lundahl is likely to play at least two of those spots this week during the Braves’ eight-game homestand that starts Monday against Hagerstown.
“Chad has been a life-saver for us,” said Rome manager Randy Ingle. “I can’t even explain how valuable it is to have a player like him; a
Chad Lundahl is listed as an infielder on the Rome Braves’ roster, but has been called upon to pitch, play the outfield and catch behind the plate this season. Ryan Smith / Rome News-Tribune |
player who can fill in at so many different spots, and perform well at all of them.”
One of the friendliest players to ever wear a Rome uniform, Lundahl isn’t prone to brag about his Jack-of-all-trades routine. But he is at least aware that his on-field flexibility could come in handy in the long run.
“When I signed with the Braves, I knew I was basically a bubble player (in terms of making the majors),” said Lundahl, “so hopefully the fact that I can play several positions will help me.”
This season with the Braves, Lundahl has most frequently played shortstop (40 games), followed by second base (11 games), first base (4), right field (1), pitcher (1), catcher (1) and designated hitter (1).
“Chad’s versatility shows that he is one heck of an athlete,” said Ingle. “And it’s something he should be proud of. I bet there haven’t been more than a handful of pro players who’ve ever played as many positions as he has.”
When the season started, Lundahl was listed on the Rome roster as an infielder, and was viewed as the Braves’ emergency pitcher and emergency catcher.
Well, guess what? Emergencies have popped up.
Two weeks ago, Lundahl was asked to strap on the catcher’s gear after both of the Braves catchers, Chris Anderson and Benji Johnson, were injured during a game against Greenville.
Lundahl had never before played catcher, not even in Little League. But he performed the duty admirably, even throwing out a runner attempting to steal third base.
“I think I did all right,” he said. “It took me a couple of innings to get comfortable, but after that, I started to get the feel.”
Prior to last week, Lundahl’s only other catching experience had been when he caught bullpen sessions for major leaguers John Lackey and Jarod Weaver to earn a few extra bucks during the off-season.
Lundahl met the major leaguers through Scott Boras, baseball’s most famous hard-line agent. Boras is involved with the baseball program at Lundahl’s alma mater, Cal-Irvine, and helped set up the workouts with Weaver and Lackey.
“Catching those bullpens really paid off,” said Lundahl. “Otherwise, I might have really been in trouble when they put me in there (at catcher in the game against Greenville).”
Lundahl said he had let it be known that he could get behind the plate if his team was ever in a bind.
“Each year, I always tell the coaches I can catch, but I never thought it would happen,” he said. “We usually carry two or three catchers, so I really didn’t think they’d ever need me.”
Nor did Lundahl ever think he would be called on to pitch. But it has happened three times in his pro career –– once for Rome, once for rookie-level Danville and once for high-Class A Myrtle Beach.
Lundahl pitched this season for Rome in early April when the Braves needed him to complete the final inning of a 14-1 loss to the Columbus Catfish.
Relying mostly on a knuckleball, he worked one-third of an inning.
“I can throw a great knuckleball in the bullpen,” he said, “but it never works as well in a game.” Although he enjoyed his stints on the mound, he prefers the infield –– well, most of the spots, at least.
“I don’t like first base too much,” he said. “There’s not much going on there. But I don’t think I really have a future at first base, anyway.”
Lundahl, who played third base during a brief stint at Myrtle Beach earlier this season, has now played everywhere on the diamond except left field and center field during his pro career.
“I might ask Randy to stick me out there later this season just so I can say I’ve done them all,” he said.
And Ingle might go along with it, simply as a way of rewarding Lundahl for his willingness to play out of position and his team-first attitude.
“Lundy’s character is off the chart,” said Ingle. “He is a great guy to have on your team. He’s great in the clubhouse, and he has terrific baseball instincts. He’s truly an asset to our organization.”
Wonder if anyone has ever said the same about Bugs Bunny?
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