Like Superman. Or maybe the Jedi.
Masataka Yoshida has been a forgotten man. After two solid enough seasons slashing .285/.343/.433 and putting up 1.4 bWAR in each of 2023 and 2024, Yoshida came into Spring Training without a position.
The outfield, where Masa is limited to left, was full with Jarren Duran, Ceddanne “Nuf Cedd” Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu — with Roman Anthony lurking and Rob Refsnyder the fourth outfielder.
Plus Yoshida was coming off shoulder surgery. Would a repair let him retake the field, something he did just once in 2024? That was the plan.
Despite being able to hit in Spring Training he was not able to throw, famously a major duty of outfielders.
But now, halfway through the season, his shoulder is better. And he made his debut yesterday. At DH. Small steps and all. But he did something else: he took grounders at first!
Masataka Yoshida is taking grounders at first base in Worcester.
— Peter Abraham (@peteabeglobe.bsky.social) 2025-07-02T18:28:38.351Z
Of course it’s not normal for a career outfielder to shift to an infield corner spot. And he’ll most likely DH when he returns to Boston, where the outfield is crowded and the DH is currently a rotation and Abraham Toro and Romy Gonzalez, who have performed admirably in Triston Casas’ stead. But what if first base was an arrow in his quiver? Injuries, extra innings, blowouts. Break glass in case of emergency.
And you might ask yourself
or a little short for a first baseman?
Casas is 6’4”. Toro and Romy are 6’0”. Kristian Campbell, a potential long-term solution, is 6’3” like Mitch Moreland and Bobby Dalbec. Kevin Youkilis 6’1”. Ditto Mike Napoli. Ok, we’ve remembered some guys.
Masa is…5’8”.
There is just one player in 2025 5’8” or shorter who has played at least 3 games at first base: Donovan Solano. In 2024 he shared the honor with Willie Calhoun. In 2023 it was Solano again. Solano and old friend Christian Vázquez were it for 2022. Combinations of Vázquez, Brock Holt o/, and Tucker Barnhart are basically it through 2014, joined briefly in one season each by Tomás Telis and Alberto Callaspo.
Then we have Pedro Castallano in 1993. His entire season was 34 games.
After a debut season Colorado Rockies player it’s all the way back to 1973 and Vic Davalillo of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Oakland Athletics. Then there is a trickle going back to the 19th century.
Is it impossible? No. Is it weird? Undoubtedly yes. Especially when Masataka Yoshida isn’t a utility player or a catcher or a third baseman. He’s not crossing over. He’s picking up first base because the Red Sox lost their starter for the year.
Most likely he never sees an inning there in the big leagues. He might not even see much outfield time simply because he’s not a defensive replacement. But a few innings to start a game and then Duran or Anthony come in? They’re all left handed so that’s a little strange. But definitely an Alex Cora play.
Masa is signed through 2027 though so it’s possible this is a skill that comes in handy over the next 2.5 seasons. Even as people get healthy, when there are people with an extra position even in backup-to-the-backup status it can help when a team really needs it.