Tampa Bay, Ariz. -- Tommy Medica is only 25 years or so old and has all of Sixty nine Major League at-bats to his or her credit, but His has one or more timeworn hockey phrase down terry.

'I've learned that if you can hit the actual ball, they're going to find someplace to play you,' Medica said.

Medica's been doing that this spring, in a big way. Entering Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Indians on Goodyear Ballpark, Medica was playing hockey .483 (14-for-29) with two home extends, two doubles, two guides and six RBIs. His had also thieved two bases.

This comes after the September callup with San Diego that will resulted in more promising quantities: a .290/.380/.449 slash line with three homers and 10 RBIs throughout those 69 at-bats, including a very long ball off Phillies ace Cliff Lee in his second big league at-bat. Prior to that within 2013, Medica had gone .296/.372/.582 along with 18 homers and 57 RBIs within 280 at-bats for Double-A San Antonio.

The problem of where Medica may well fit in with the Padres when it comes to playing defense is the one the club is trying to answer. Salud, who was a catcher for the first part of his professional vocation before transitioning to 1st base four seasons previously, has been trying out the outfield.

He played out left field in a the latest simulated game, and again in Monday, against the Rockies at Sea River Fields, where this individual caught two flyouts without incident and fielded a single cleanly. His also was in left field Thursday.

'I think in Spring Instruction it's a great opportunity to show players to different positions, in addition to we're doing that with Ben, getting him exposed to the outfield,' Padres manager Bud African american said. 'We've talked about it as a staff and as an organization, about growing a player's versatility, growing chances of playing time, so you do that by exposing these to different positions.

'With Tom, we believe His has the wherewithal to play in the outfield along with first base. We shall see how it plays out there moving forward, to see if we have an additional potential outfielder on our fingers.'

For Medica, it's a flattering body language. The team likes his hockey bat enough to come up with creative strategies to work him into the choice, and His says His embraces the athletic challenge of trying out a new area of the field. He's been working with table coach and former large league outfielder Dave Roberts and having enjoyable doing it.

'Whenever you're in a new situation, even though you're playing a similar sport, it is a lot different, so it's a little challenging,In . Medica said. 'You'd think simply a fly ball or pop up doesn't change, but they attack the ball a lot higher and the majority of harder up here.

'But while you are getting the reps and the exercise in, it becomes easier. It's awesome from the time in Double-A until now what comfortable I feel just with the minimal work we've set up so far.'

Medica said His were lingering on whatever increasing pains His might be struggling with in the outfield once His methods into the batter's box, and that offers showed with his monster spring at the plate.

'I caught for my first 15 years of playing hockey, at least,' Medica said. 'And that is one of the most difficult things, to look from catching to smacking, just because you're spending so much time worrying about nothing to do with hitting that by the time hitting comes around, you are just like, 'All right, let's get a bat and see how are you affected.'

'When you start playing other placements, the defense isn't as taxing on you because you're not in most play.'

That said, Medica isn't taking the responsibility lightly.

'When the corporation comes to you and says, 'We would like to get you in left, enable you to get as versatile as possible because that will give you the best possibility to get as many at-bats as possible,I that's a good thing,' Salud said. 'But if you're playing safety, you don't want to be hurting ones pitcher. You want to be helping your team by being on the market. So that's the biggest thing.'

Tampa Bay -- Kevin Cash managed a chuckle when asked about the number although wear this season as the brand-new Rays manager.

'Just found out, Of sixteen,' said Cash, responding to the media at the Wintertime Meetings. '[The Rays equipment manager] was ready for a single digit, but I've put on some weight since the playing days.'

Cash allowed that the realization that he's the team's new manager is actually 'starting to sink in a tiny bit' adding that he's 'just today trying to get on to the hockey part of it.'

'It's exciting, but time to get to work a little bit,' Money said.

Friday evening, the Rays named the former 'Devil Rays' catcher as the fifth manager in team history. His will be successful Joe Maddon, who ended his nine-year tenure with the team by exercising an opt-out clause in his long term contract before agreeing to a five-year, $25 zillion deal to manage the Cubs.

On Monday, Cash fielded questions about in case His felt any pressure to be following a manager associated with Maddon's stature, particularly given the success in helping to mildew the team into a winner.

The fresh-faced Cash smiled. 'I look at it more as kind of an honor to be subsequent him and what he's accomplished over the course of his career below.'

Cash has not talked to Maddon, but added in: 'I'd love to talk to him. I believe I'll get an opportunity right here at the Meetings at some point along with shake his hand and fasten.'

Having been on the job for several days, Dollars said His has talked to ten to 10 of the current players, and he's talked together with the coaches on his staff members, which is the same group since last season minus bench coach Dave Martinez.

'Every conversation has become excellent,' Cash claimed. 'The players I have contacted, many energy, optimism, that's likely been the most exciting famous this, connecting with them.

'And after that, as far as the coaches in which I've talked to, they've been great. I think I've connected with these people. The guys in the clubhouse. This is an exciting group and they have acknowledged this whole process and have been extremely generous to my loved ones and I.'

As for finding a bench coach...

'You know what, I think that's an ongoing process we're form of talking through,' Funds said. 'We're talking about some of the attributes and qualities that maybe we're looking for. And hopefully that will process keeps working by itself out through these Meetings plus the upcoming days.'

Because Cash doesn't have managing experience, His has been asked if His will locate a bench coach with the expertise His lacks. Matt Silverman, us president, hockey operations, accompanied Money on Monday, and chimed in within this question.

'It's not a prerequisite for us,' Silverman said. 'But that's mostly because of the staff we have in place. There exists a really good group that works effectively together. So whoever many of us add as a bench mentor, or as the open trainer, will be someone who adds to the staff members. Complements what we have and offers Kevin the backing His requires.'

Cash seemed to glow when expected to express what attracted them to the job.

'Obviously, it takes time and effort,' Cash said. 'You need a lot of passion and energy correctly. That would probably be the biggest thing. The connection with the players and the club. I love being in the club. Hanging out with the guys. Talking about the sport the night before, the next recreation, playing cards, whatever it is. I love of which constant interaction.'

Being a Tampa bay native and understanding the local connection to hockey -- including the musical legacy of following Al Lopez, Lou Piniella in addition to Tony La Russa, all Tampa fl giants who were Major Group managers -- also means a great deal to Income.

'It's kind of incredible,' Funds said. 'Those names, I would undoubtedly set them apart. But just to be in the same conversation, knowing I've done nothing, those guys have impacted hockey quite a bit. And Tampa is an incredible area.

'Growing up, the hotbed, everything you could probably argue that is as strong a place for the growing of hockey, the competition. So it's exciting to have back there and straight into that community again.'

Packing quantity of enthusiasm, Cash appears willing to attack his new job.