BY MIKE CORMACK
sportsnet.ca
TORONTO--Cuban shortstop prospect Adeiny Hechavarria is one step closer to the major leagues-just don't expect Yunel Escobar to be moving to second base anytime soon.
On Thursday, the Toronto Blue Jays promoted the 22-year-old Cuban shortstop prospect to triple-A Las Vegas after posting a slash line of .235/.275/.447 with six home runs and 46 RBIS in 111 games this season with double-A New Hampshire.
But with incumbent shortstop Yunel Escobar signed through 2015 with club options but Aaron's Hill future at second base uncertain beyond this year, many have speculated that Escobar would move over if and when Hechavarria was ready.
Not so fast said Farrell. "We still look at them as very good shortstops," he explained. "We haven't talked about moving one or the other to second base." As for the immediate future, Farrell said it's been the team's plan as far back as spring training to see the slick-fielding, but light-hitting, Hechavarria get some at-bats at triple-A.
"The conversation around his overall plan was to get some him exposure at triple-A at some point this year," said Farrell. "We wanted to get him against some veteran, older pitching."
Hechavarria was signed a four-year, $10 million contract in April of 2010. Most reports suggest his glove is major-league ready, but his offensive numbers at double-A New Hampshire indicate his bat is not.
"I know that there's been an inconsistent approach with him at the plate throughout the course of the season, but still there's an overall feeling that he's got the ability to hit and hit for average, before it's all said and done," said Farrell.
And perhaps that's why the Blue Jays skipper hasn't ruled out giving Hechavarria an up-close look in September when the rosters expand. "He's been talked about yeah," said Farrell, "But whether or not he's a September call up remains to be determined."
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BACK TO THE PEN
On Wednesday, the Blue Jays said they had yet to determine what role injured right-hander Carlos Villanueva would assume once he comes off the disabled list. But on Friday, Farrell said the The 27-year-old Dominican, on the DL with shoulder inflammation since Aug. 4, would like return as a reliever and not in the rotation where he's made 13 starts in 2011 with posting a 4.24 ERA and 1.239 WHIP in 97.2innings.
