A One‑Game Tour of the Diamond
On Sunday night, Levi Jordan turned a regular Triple‑A matchup into a baseball novelty act. Representing the Louisville Bats, the Reds' top farm team, he stepped into each of the nine defensive positions over nine innings, a stunt that only two other Reds have ever pulled off.
The sequence was carefully plotted by the Bats' coaching staff. Jordan started at third base in the first inning, moved to shortstop in the second, and then shifted to second base for the third frame. The rotation continued with first base in the fourth, left field in the fifth, center in the sixth, and right field in the seventh. The eighth inning saw him take the mound, briefly return to third base for a defensive cameo, and the ninth inning capped the experiment with him behind the plates as catcher.
- 1st Inning – Third Base
- 2nd Inning – Shortstop
- 3rd Inning – Second Base
- 4th Inning – First Base
- 5th Inning – Left Field
- 6th Inning – Center Field
- 7th Inning – Right Field
- 8th Inning – Pitcher (and a quick snap back to Third)
- 9th Inning – Catcher
Jordan, a right‑handed infielder known for his steady glove work and contact hitting, had already logged 217 games in Louisville over the past two seasons. His brief cameo with the Cincinnati Reds late last year gave him a taste of big‑league life, but this night cemented his reputation as a utility firecracker.
Why the Feat Matters
Playing every position in a single contest is a rarity that crosses the entire professional baseball spectrum. In MLB history, the feat has been recorded only five times, with the most famous instance belonging to versatile star Pete Rose in 1975. At the Triple‑A level, Jordan joins an even more exclusive club, underscoring the physical and mental agility required to switch from infield to outfield, then to pitcher and catcher within a tight time frame.
The Reds organization has a long tradition of valuing flexibility. Coaches often praise players who can plug holes due to injuries or roster moves. Jordan's willingness to embrace the challenge reflects both personal ambition and a team‑first mindset that helped him climb the minor‑league ladder.
After the game, the humble infielder summed up his experience with a simple, “Yeah, I guess that was pretty fun.” The low‑key comment belies the strategic planning that went into the event. Bats manager Chris Antonetti said the experiment was designed to reward a player who consistently delivers on both sides of the ball while giving fans a memorable storyline.
Beyond the novelty, the stunt serves a practical purpose. By exposing Jordan to pitching and catching duties, the coaching staff gathers data on his arm strength, durability, and game‑calling instincts—attributes that could prove invaluable if a major‑league club needs a spot‑starter or a defensive substitute.
For Louisville supporters, the night added a highlight reel moment that will be replayed in the clubhouse for years. For Jordan, it adds a unique line to his résumé and could accelerate his path back to Cincinnati, especially as teams increasingly prize players who can fill multiple roles without sacrificing performance.
