Gyorko's defense quietly parallels big month at plate

SAN DIEGO -- Rookie second baseman Jedd Gyorko put the finishing touches on a big May on Friday, a month that saw him hit all six of his home runs with an average that was 46 points higher than April's.

But while Gyorko has been lauded for his bat in May, he has also quietly had a solid month defensively -- all while playing a position that still rates as relatively new to him.

Gyorko has made three errors this season, but just one since April 12. He has impressed his manager and third-base coach Glenn Hoffman, who works with the infielders.

"He reads the ball off the bat really well, and he's got very good hands," Hoffman said. "That helps him tremendously in the middle part of the field. He's got good body balance, so when he has to go on the ground for the ball, he's got such a good feel that he can make an accurate throw from his knees."

Gyorko, a third baseman by trade who started playing second base last season in the Minor Leagues, worked close in Spring Training with Double-A San Antonio manager Rich Dauer, who was considered one of the top defensive second basemen in the game when he played for the Orioles.

Gyorko looks more comfortable alongside shortstop Everth Cabrera with each passing game.

"He's improved a lot around the bag," Hoffman said. "Earlier in the year, Cabby threw a bullet to him at second base, and he handled it. That caught my eye. That showed me the quickness that he would have. Working together, they're only going to get better."