NEW YORK -- Turns out Jeff McNeil is a pretty decent center fielder, too.
McNeil, a natural second baseman who has logged significant time at multiple positions around the diamond, only began playing center field regularly this season. But he made a notable impact in the first inning of Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Braves, leaping to rob Marcell Ozuna of at least a run-scoring extra-base hit, and possibly a two-run homer.
McNeil ranged to deep left-center field to grab Ozuna’s ball, using his right leg to brace himself against the wall as he came down with it.
"I’ve been thinking about that probably for seven years,” McNeil said, laughing. "Just playing outfield, I know how that wall angles, and I know if you can [get] back there and you can put your foot in the wall, you can actually get up a little higher.”
An eight-year Major League veteran, McNeil has played more than 4,000 innings at second base, 1,400 in left field, 800 in right and 250 at third base. He now has more than 100 innings in center field as well.
"I like being the utility player and playing anywhere,” said McNeil, who also made a memorable catch in foul ground in Chicago in 2019. “It is a little difficult, but you just get those reps in … and just try to be as comfortable out there as you can.”
One of McNeil’s stated goals is to play all nine positions before he retires. At this point, he's only missing pitcher and catcher.