Former Braves outfielder Jordan Schafer, who signed with the Dodgers in the offseason and was told he would have a chance to convert to pitcher, is working on that conversion in the minors.
So far the transition from outfield to the mound is going quite well. In fact, no one has scored on him.
Schafer, 29, is on the roster of the Tulsa Drillers, a team in the Double-A Texas League. He has made four appearances, all out of the bullpen, and pitched seven innings. He has allowed five hits and struck out six. His control has been good, with only one walk issued.
In his third appearance he pitched the eighth and ninth innings of a loss, and in his fourth appearance, he pitched in the eighth inning of a loss. The Drillers are 4-10 through Friday’s games.
Also, he has quickly grasped the part about pitchers don’t usually hit. In his one plate appearance this season, he struck out.
In six major league seasons, Schafer’s batting average surpassed .247 once. That was a .285 average for the Twins in 2014, but he followed that with a .217 average for them last season.
In 463 major league games, and 1,292 at-bats, Schafer has a .228 career batting average. He hit .224 in 773 at-bats for the Braves, from 2009-11.
