Brandon Dixon Capitalizing On Versatility

CINCINNATI—Brandon Dixon is officially listed as a second baseman, but in the Arizona Fall League he played only first and third base.

Dixon played both spots in 2016 at Double-A Pensacola but recorded just seven starts at first and one at third. He also played all three outfield spots.

At this point, farm director Jeff Graupe is reluctant to say what position the 25-year-old Dixon plays.

“I think his versatility probably outweighs a one-position value,” Graupe said.

Dixon attended the AFL for the second straight year in 2016. He played second base and center field in 2015 as a member of the Dodgers organization. The Reds acquired Dixon following the 2015 season as part of the three-team trade that sent Todd Frazier to the White Sox and returned second baseman Jose Peraza and outfielder Scott Schebler.

Like Peraza and Schebler, Dixon’s versatility is a strength. He played third base at Arizona before Los Angeles made him a third-round pick in 2013, but he has not played the position regularly since his draft year.

“Knowing now that I can play multiple positions, that was something I tested a little before, but more so this year,” Dixon said. “I think I got comfortable with that.”

The AFL gave the righthanded batter more of a chance to play first base, a position he hadn’t played before this season.

“Versatility is the way the game’s going,” Graupe said. “To have a guy like this who can do so many things, it just allows you to put the best team out there day in and day out. I think that’s where Brandon can force his way through.”

Dixon owns the athleticism to move around and has shown flashes of offensive prowess. He hit .260/.315/.434 with 16 home runs and 23 doubles at Pensacola this year, when he ranked third in the Southern League in slugging. He then ranked fourth in the AFL with a .550 slugging percentage.

RED HOTS

• The Reds lost no players in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft but lost two in the minor league portion: first baseman Art Charles and righthander Jefri Hernandez.

• The Reds selected two catchers in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft: Luis Torrens (Yankees) and Stuart Turner (Twins). They traded Torres to the Padres for third baseman Josh VanMeter.