Lipscomb embraces latest challenge: First base

When the Nationals recalled Trey Lipscomb on Wednesday, and when Davey Martinez then put him at first base in his first game back in the big leagues, the eyebrow raises could be seen throughout the ballpark and fandom. After making such an effort to have the rookie focus on second base, then third base, now they’re really going to put him at first base for the foreseeable future?

Lipscomb, of course, shrugs it all off.

“The whole new position thing, that’s kind of what I’ve been doing my whole career,” he said. “Wherever they need me, just put me out there and I’m going to do my thing. First base. Third base. Honestly, wherever.”

For the uninitiated, Lipscomb was supposed to play shortstop in college. But his Tennessee roster was so loaded, he wound up settling in at third base by his senior year in 2022, the Nats then using their third-round draft pick on him.

Once in the minors, Lipscomb again found himself moving around the diamond. Though he won the Gold Glove Award for all minor leaguers at third base last season, he actually ended the year at Double-A Harrisburg playing second base because of the presence of 2021 first-round pick Brady House at third.

Sensing his future chances of sticking in the majors might hinge on his versatility, the Nationals had Lipscomb start playing first base as well last season and in the Arizona Fall League. So even though they entered this season thinking he’d be a ready-made replacement at second base if Luis García Jr. faltered, they’ve already shifted mindset twice, putting him at third base when Nick Senzel fractured his thumb on Opening Day and now giving him a shot at first base after Lane Thomas sprained his knee and Joey Gallo moved to right field to replace him.

“He’s going to do a lot of different things,” Martinez said. “And he has zero hesitation about anything. The kid just loves playing. He’ll play wherever you tell him to play. It’s nice to have him.

“Hopefully, when things settle down a little, we can get him to actually focus on one position. But the fact he can play multiple positions, and do them well, it definitely helps. Right now, it’s based on a need that we have.”

Lipscomb was put to the test in his first base debut Wednesday night. He had to make a nifty snag of Shohei Ohtani’s 96.3 mph scorcher in the top of the second, throwing to CJ Abrams and then retreating to the base to receive the return throw for an impressive 3-6-3 double play.

“I mean, I knew it was coming,” he said. “If you don’t want the ball, the ball will find you. I was just prepared, got off the bag, caught the ball, threw the ball and got a double play.”

Lipscomb wasn’t as successful three innings later when he was on the receiving end of a bounced throw from García, who made a nice diving stop of Will Smith’s grounder up the middle. Lipscomb wound up dropping the throw, a play that proved costly later in the inning when Gavin Lux delivered a two-out, two-run single that wouldn’t have ever happened had the inning already been over.

“Just a little bit of indecision there,” he said. “I’ve either got to go get it, or stay back. You can’t be in between. Next time, I’ll just have no indecision.”

It remains to be seen if Lipscomb will be at first base every day, or if he’s still going to bounce around the diamond, getting time at third, second, maybe even the outfield.

Whatever the case, he’s perfectly comfortable with the assignment. After all, he’s been doing this for a while now.

“At the end of the day, you just have to go out there and catch the ball, throw the ball,” he said. “Nothing really changed for me. But obviously it’s a lot cooler to do it up here.”