azcentral sports Wed Mar 5, 2014 7:58 AM

When Diamondbacks farm director Mike Bell called prospect Stryker Trahan into his office last month and asked him what he thought about moving to the outfield, Trahan thought Bell might have been kidding. But the longer they talked, the more he realized that not only was it not a joke, it was a good idea.

“I was on board with it from the beginning of the conversation, once I realized it was real — and that I had a great opportunity,” Trahan said. “I’ve heard nothing but good things that can come out of this.”

And, just like that, Trahan became a former catcher and a new left fielder.

Ever since they tabbed him with their first-round pick in the 2012 draft, the Diamondbacks knew a move off of catcher might be a possibility. But they believed in the bat and saw enough athleticism in him to think a move to the outfield wouldn’t be a problem.

They also thought there was a chance he’d be able to stick behind the plate. He wanted to catch. He came from a family of catchers. He put in the work.

But, as Bell explained to Trahan in their meeting, a move could accelerate his development.

“His hitting has always been ahead of the catching,” Bell said. “He was making some nice strides, but it was starting to hold him back.”

Their conversation was spurred by issues Trahan was having with his throwing mechanics. If the problems persisted, the organization would be facing a tricky situation at the end of spring training. Do they send him to a full-season affiliate knowing he’s not ready defensively? Or do they keep him in extended spring training, potentially halting his offensive development?

Trahan has shown promise at the plate in each of his minor league stops. In 167 at-bats in the Arizona League the year he was drafted, he batted .281 with a .473 slugging. Last season, with rookie-level Missoula, he hit just .254 but slammed 10 homers with a .462 slugging percentage.

“Just projecting out in the future,” Bell said, “I don’t see why he couldn’t be a 25-home run guy, hit .280 to .300, put together good at-bats. He has that type of talent.”

While Trahan admits to being disappointed by the position switch, he understands the club’s big-picture thinking. He says his legs are less drained at the end of workouts, and combined with the lighter mental workload, he’s curious to see the impact it might have on his offensive game.

“It’s a big change, but it’s a good different,” Trahan said. “Coming to the field every day, it’s a lot less pressure knowing all I have to do is just run the outfield and just hit.

“Now that I can just play the outfield and worry about hitting, this can be a huge year for me offensively.”

The Diamondbacks have no concerns about him adapting to left field, where Bell said Trahan’s average speed and above-average arm will play well.

“I think he’s got a nose for the ball,” Bell said. “I think he’s going to be able to sniff the ball out and go get it.”

On Tuesday morning, he went through a workout with his fellow minor league outfielders, pounding his hand in his glove between drills.

He said later the glove still needs breaking in but that it’s coming along faster than a catcher’s mitt. The Diamondbacks can only hope that serves as a metaphor for his development.

Reach Piecoro at (602) 444-8680 or nick.piecoro@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickpiecoro.