Yankees add surprise to center field mix

TAMPA — Isiah Kiner-Falefa stood alone in center field on Tuesday, bouncing around on the outfield grass at Steinbrenner Field as he shagged flyballs during Yankees batting practice.

This was more than a spring training escapade for Kiner-Falefa, who started 131 games at shortstop last season. The infielder has been working in the outfield over the last few days at Yankees camp, preparing to start in center field later this week.

With center fielder Harrison Bader out for the next six weeks with an oblique injury — and two top shortstop prospects impressing this spring, positioning themselves for playing time at the big-league level — Kiner-Falefa’s best shot with the Yankees this year may very well be in a utility role.

“I think he could play that role really, really well,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday afternoon. “I think he’d be a natural [in the outfield]. The ability to move around, his speed and his athleticism. He’s still in the running out there at short ... but I do think he can thrive in a lot of different roles.”

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Kiner-Falefa hasn’t played in the outfield since he was in the Rangers’ farm system, appearing in one game in center with Double-A Frisco in 2017. The 27-year-old is more than open to the idea, though, seeing the writing on the wall with shortstop prospects Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe.

“I’m happy that I’m able to show [my versatility] off over the next couple of days,” Kiner-Falefa said after playing second base against the Tigers in Lakeland last week. “I need a role on this team if I’m not playing shortstop. I have an opportunity over the next couple days to put myself in a role. If it’s not a shortstop, maybe that allows us to hold on to me.”

Kiner-Falefa explained that he’ll feel comfortable in the outfield so long as he can get his reps out there this month. He isn’t worried about his range or explosiveness in the gaps.

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The Yankees don’t necessarily need to use Kiner-Falefa in center field while Bader is out. Aaron Judge is the likeliest candidate to start in center on Opening Day, sliding over from right field while giving Giancarlo Stanton a chance to play defense at Yankee Stadium. Veteran Aaron Hicks, former top prospect Estevan Florial, non-roster invitee Rafael Ortega and super utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera are also in the mix, with Hicks a virtual lock to start in left to begin the season.

Meanwhile, the starting shortstop job is up for grabs with two weeks remaining until Opening Day. Peraza clubbed his first homer of the spring in Tuesdays’ 10-3 win over the Blue Jays, building on a strong defensive showing in Grapefruit League play. Volpe, who entered camp as a longshot to make the team, has shown that he belongs, playing his way into the conversation despite minimal experience in Triple-A.

The alternative is to trade IKF before the season begins. Multiple teams have reportedly expressed interest in Kiner-Falefa. Asked about those trade rumors, Kiner-Falefa said it’s humbling to hear other teams are looking at him. At the same time, he’s focused on winning a championship with the Yankees, the team he always dreamed about playing for.

“I know my chances of winning are greater here than it would be elsewhere,” he said. “I want to be here and I want to win. Whether it’s playing shortstop or utility, at the end of the day, there’s an opportunity to win a World Series here and I want to be a part of it.”