CHAMPAIGN — Michael Massey was perfect at second base for the first 45 games of the 2018 season. Not a single error during the bulk of a 60-game streak of flawless fielding dating back to his freshman year.
Massey was the best defensive second baseman in the country. It wasn’t even arguable — hence the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove he won. The Palos Park native committed just a single error as a sophomore and has just seven for his career.
But Massey hasn’t played a single game at second base this season. A back injury has kept the Brother Rice graduate confined to just designated hitter duties.