India embracing challenges of playing first base, left field

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- During Tuesday's Reds game vs. the White Sox in the third inning, second baseman Matt McLain made a dazzling snag on a grounder up the middle. McLain made a one-hop throw across his body to the first baseman.

The first baseman who expertly scooped the ball from the dirt? Jonathan India.

India pumped his arm after the out was called.

“I was so excited when [McLain] threw it like that because it was an easy pick and a cool play at the same time," India said on Wednesday at the Reds complex before a 19-11 victory over the Giants in Scottsdale. "It gave me some more confidence in picking some of those balls. I’ve been working on picks a lot. I’m pretty good, I’m not going to lie. I’m excited to show off my pick talent.”

Since camp opened, India has been learning the nuances of first base with Reds coaches Freddie Benavides and Jeff Pickler and Minor League coaches Bryan LaHair and Mike Jacobs.

The 2021 National League Rookie of the Year, India had never played first base at any level. He's been using one of Christian Encarnacion-Strand's backup first baseman's gloves this spring.

“I think it’s been pretty fun. I’m enjoying myself over there," India said. "I’m not trying to put too much pressure on myself. I’m learning all the right techniques.

“The footwork was the toughest part to learn, being able to find the bag. I’ve got it down pretty easy now. In the beginning, I was going right to the bag and finding my right foot. They said it would be easier to find my left foot, then your right. So tap left, step over to the right. And that helped me. Also, don’t stretch too early. That took a little time.”

India, 27, was behind other position players in camp as he initially was on a modified running program after dealing with a winter flare-up of the plantar fasciitis in his left foot that caused him to miss 39 games last season. He made his spring debut on Friday vs. the Dodgers while playing first base.

It didn't take long for India to show some skills as he robbed Dodgers lefty hitter Gavin Lux of a hit with a diving catch to his right on a line drive.

“He was excited to play out there. He was all into it, for sure," Reds manager David Bell said.

Bell felt that India looked comfortable.

"We just have to get him as much playing time as possible there while still getting him in at the other positions too," he said.

During the offseason, India was told by Bell and baseball operations president Nick Krall that they wanted to move him from being the regular second baseman -- the spot India held for three seasons -- to be more of a super utility player at first base, second base, third base and left field. McLain is expected to get most of the starts at second base in 2024.

India was a third baseman at the University of Florida, but like first base, he never played left field in a game until Sunday vs. the Guardians.

“It was good. It felt weird. They said I was playing too shallow," India said. “I made a nice play down the line and kept the guy from going to second. I hit my cut. A lot more room out there, it made me feel small. It felt pretty cool being able to just roam. It’s different."

India did not play on Wednesday but is slated to return Thursday to play first base against the Rangers. In his next game after that, Bell plans to start him in left field again.

Listed at 6 feet tall, India fully understands he will never be a prototypical first baseman that stands at 6-foot-4 and flexes with 40-homer power.

“That’s not me," India said. “I’m not trying to put pressure on myself to be that. I’m just being an athlete, being an infielder and playing one step over.”

India has some power and he's shown it in his last two games. On Sunday vs. Cleveland, he hit a leadoff home run to left-center field in the first inning. In the second inning with two outs on Tuesday against Chicago, he went to the opposite field in right-center for a solo homer.

“That was sick," India said. "I’ve gotten plenty of at-bats. I’ve been ready. I worked on my swing in the offseason. It feels cleaner, just simpler. I’m in a really good spot."