taking a position

Tyler Moore, the former Mississippi State, Meridian Community College and Northwest Rankin High standout, is learning the ropes in the outfield, which should enhance his chances of making the majors with Washington. Moore, a longtime first baseman who blasted 31 homers each of the last two seasons in the minors, spent a couple of weeks playing outfield in instructional league in the fall and has been working recently with Nationals coach Bo Porter on some of the finer points of fly chasing. “I’m excited about getting to play out there,” Moore said. “I don’t care where I play if it helps me get to the big leagues.” Moore will go to big league camp next month as a 40-man roster member. Washington, which has been courting free agent Prince Fielder, has veteran Adam LaRoche penciled in as its starting first baseman and signed the versatile Mark DeRosa as a potential backup there. Chris Marrero, another first base prospect, is going to miss the start of the 2012 season with an injury. Moore likely will start this year in Triple-A, though another tour in Double-A, as an outfielder, is possible.
P.S. Starkville native Julio Borbon has helped Escogido move to the top of the pack in the Dominican Winter League playoffs. Borbon, a Texas Rangers outfielder, went 2-for-3 and scored twice as the leadoff batter in an 8-2 win on Monday. He is hitting .250 overall. Borbon will be trying to reestablish himself in Texas’ plans this spring. He was the Rangers’ primary center fielder in 2010, when he batted .276 and stole 15 bags. But he slumped last year, got hurt and was sent to the minors. He hit .298 with 16 steals in 131 at-bats at Triple-A Round Rock.