Ian Sagdal Searches For A Position

WASHINGTON—Ian Sagdal hit .366 with a .998 OPS in the second half at low Class A Hagerstown, so he will have a chance to play every day in 2017.

In his case, it could be at a number of positions. He played second base, left field, first base and third base this season.

A 16th-round pick out of Washington State in 2015, Sagdal ranked fifth in the South Atlantic League batting race after hitting .303/.362/.474 with 10 home runs and 30 doubles in 108 games.

Hitting coordinator Troy Gingrich and Hagerstown hitting coach Amaury Garcia helped Sagdal thrive after he closed his stance a bit and dropped his hands.

“Halfway through the season, I was struggling,” said Sagdal, 23. “They sat down with me . . . and Troy pointed out some things. I had three hits in a game right after that. Then I refined it with Amaury, and we’ve all been in constant communication.”

At Hagerstown, Sagdal played DH more than a third of the time, so at instructional league his main priority was working on his infield defense with coordinator Jeff Garber.

“I was taking ground balls at third and short,” Sagdal said. “That’s what I’m focusing on in the offseason. I think they’re looking at me at third base for the most part. I have to handle hard-hit balls.”

Sagdal was a favorite of Hagerstown manager Patrick Anderson.

“He started playing regularly because he earned it,” Anderson said. “He really got a lot more flexible with his lower half and did the strength and conditioning work he needed to. I think he’s a jack of all trades, and he has some pop.”

Anderson said the rest of the Suns appreciated Sagdal’s work, too.

“He’s a great kid. His makeup is off the charts,” Anderson said.

CAPITAL GAINS

• The organization’s final instructional league in Viera, Fla., ended more than a week early because of the effects of Hurricane Matthew. Meanwhile, construction remained on track in West Palm Beach, Fla., for the complex the Nationals and Astros plan to open in the spring.

• Rookie catcher Pedro Severino was thrust on to the postseason roster after all-star Wilson Ramos tore an ACL in the final week of the regular season. Severino doubled off Clayton Kershaw in Game One and went 1-for-10 overall.