(Photo: Dominic Cotroneo/WCSN)
Starting the year buried on the bench, it was tough to foresee David Greer’s improbable rise. In the past seven games for ASU, however, the sophomore third baseman has been a huge part of the Sun Devils resurgent offense.
Since Dalton Dinatale’s injury, Greer has recorded a hit in every game, compiling a seven-game hitting streak. Over that span, Greer is a scorching 10-for-25 (.400) with six RBIs. Adding to his success, he has been rock solid defensively while managing the hot corner.
He has gained the confidence of Tracy Smith, who has slotted Greer towards the bottom of the lineup to allow for continuous depth throughout the order.
Part of the reason as to why Greer has been so surprising was the lack of playing time he received last season. He hit just .222 with six RBIs and eight runs scored in his freshman year, while starting just ten games.
He was only receiving only the occasional start before Dalton Dinatale’s injury but has now started every game since. Greer has also posted a .485 slg%, which is fifth on the team, to go along with a .902 OPS.
It is becoming more and more likely that Greer will force the issue when Dinatale comes back and a position battle between the two will ensue. The meteoric offensive production that he has put together over the past couple of weeks has caused a great problem for Smith that will be addressed when Dinatale heals.
DiNatale won’t return for another two to three weeks and really has not done anything to lose the starting job. Before he got injured, he was just finding his power stroke, homering in consecutive games against Bakersfield. Overall, the junior is hitting .297 with seven RBI in nine starts.
His progress is coming along normally with his thumb injury, as he just had his cast removed on Monday to assess his progress and now has a new one on. It is possible that when he returns, if Greer is still hitting well, that Dinatale could move to either 1B or DH.
Right now at first base, Joey Bielek and Chris Beall have platooned, but the position has seen the smallest offensive production of any position in the Sun Devils offense. Dinatale started 35 games at first base his freshman year and three his sophomore year, so he is no stranger to the position.
Designated hitter is also an option for Dinatale. It will give him a bit more time to rest his thumb, as he will only have to hit and not worry about playing the field. In that case, R.J. Ybarra would most likely move to first base for a short time.
Right now Greer seems set as the third baseman, but things could get interesting once Dinatale returns from injury and Smith has to slot both of them into the lineup.
