The Los Angeles Dodgers, perhaps more than any other organization in baseball, has had a string of success in converting position players with strong arms into pitchers.
Kenley Jansen began his career as a catcher but now is an All-Star who is considered to be among the game’s best closers. Pedro Baez was once a third baseman, and the power right-hander now is one of manager Dave Roberts’ trusted late-inning options out of the Dodgers bullpen.
Not every case bears success, however. The Dodgers signed outfielder Jordan Schafer to a Minor League contract last season with the intention of converting him to a pitcher.