Cardinals' Jedd Gyorko: Practicing at every infield position in spring training

Gyorko, who played second base, third base and shortstop in his first Cardinals season in 2016, is devoting his attention to a different position each day in spring training, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. "Each and every day, a focus," Gyorko said. "It's pretty similar to what I did last season, but I think there's the one position each day that makes sense."

Analysis:

Gyorko made his mark last season both at the plate and on the field, as he smacked 30 home runs overall and hit more second-half home runs than anyone in the majors other than Brian Dozier. He was also a valuable asset defensively and could add first base to his resume this season in addition to the three positions he played in 2016. Although he's currently slated to challenge Jhonny Peralta for the third base job, the possibility exists that he could be deployed in a platoon with Kolten Wong at second. Wherever he lands, Gyorko is intent on being prepared, and will look to be as efficient with his power stroke as he was last season, when he was the only player in the majors with as many as 30 homers and fewer than 110 hits overall.