Kazmar adapts to new role

When Sean Kazmar wanted to play in the Arizona Fall League in 2008, the only position open was in the outfield, which he never had played in his life.

But the former standout shortstop at Las Vegas High School and College of Southern Nevada accepted the challenge and played well.

Recalling this, Portland manager Terry Kennedy put Kazmar in left field for the first time in his career midway through Thursday's 10-3 loss to the Reno Aces.

Kazmar, a seventh-year pro, made his first career start in the outfield Friday, playing center field and going 0-for-5 for the Beavers in their 13-7 win over the 51s at Cashman Field.

He hopes his versatility will help improve his chances of getting back to the big leagues, where he made his debut with the parent San Diego Padres in 2008.

"I feel I'm more of a super utility guy than a starting shortstop in the big leagues right now," Kazmar said Saturday before playing second base for Portland (38-62) in its 9-1 loss to the 51s (48-53). "Getting that experience out there and being able to play more positions is definitely helpful."

One of the top defensive shortstops in the Pacific Coast League since he entered Triple A at the start of last season, Kazmar also has played 26 games at second this season.

With the return of center fielder Luis Durango to Portland from San Diego on Saturday, Kazmar probably won't see much more time in the outfield, which he played flawlessly. But Kennedy is confident he can put him out there if he needs to.

"He's plenty athletic to play it, and he did well," Kennedy said. "He's primarily still a shortstop, and he's been playing second. That's going to be his future, to be able to move around."

Kennedy said Kazmar is more than capable of making a spot start in center field for the Padres.

"He gets good jumps, and our ballpark in San Diego, that's a big place, so if they had an emergency to put him in center, he could do it," Kennedy said.

A career .251 hitter in the minors entering this year, Kazmar went 0-for-4 on Saturday and is batting .261 with four home runs and 37 RBIs for the Beavers this season.

He leads Portland with 25 multi-hit games and had a season-high 12-game hit streak end Monday.

"This is the best I've felt at the plate in my minor league career," Kazmar said. "It's probably been my most consistent season until the last five games.

"Unfortunately, I had to hit the stretch right now, but I'm just trying to battle through it, and I want to try to finish strong."

Kennedy said the 5-foot-9-inch, 170-pound Kazmar -- who turns 26 on Aug. 5 and is a free agent after this season -- finally has matured physically.

"He's the strongest he's ever been. He's hitting close to .270, and he's getting to where he should be now," Kennedy said. "This is the best I've ever seen him hit.

"If he doesn't get a chance with (the Padres), I think he'll get a chance with somebody else."

■ NOTE -- The Toronto Blue Jays purchased the contract of former 51s outfielder Jason Lane from the Atlantic League's Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. Lane started in right field Saturday for Las Vegas and went 1-for-4 with a run scored.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.