Back on the Outside Looking In

The experiment is finally over.

JetHawk third baseman Carlos Villalobos will report to instructional league after the season to be moved back to the outfield.

Villalobos, who was moved from outfield to third base in 1994, has shown great athleticism, but he’s also made 39 errors, 15 more than the next highest on the JetHawks. Most of the errors have been on throws.

“I feel fine [about the move],” Villalobos said. “I’m ready for the challenge.”

JetHawk Manager Dave Brundage said the organization had grown increasingly aware as the errors piled up that Villalobos was not a third baseman.

“At times it’s frustrating to watch,” Brundage said. “It’s not like they are fielding errors. He gets to a lot of balls that a lot of third basemen in this league don’t get to, but you’ve got to throw it. It’s been two years he’s had this problem.”

Villalobos, 21, has hit .278 in three minor-league seasons. He was voted the fourth-best prospect in the rookie-level Arizona League in 1994, when he hit .291 with four homers and 29 runs batted in. The Mariners figure his offense can only improve once he’s out of the infield.

“Any time you are making that many errors, it’s got to take away from your hitting,” Brundage said.

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Former JetHawk Jose Cruz Jr. hit his first triple-A home run on Friday night. . . . Jesus Marquez was the first Mariner minor leaguer to reach 100 RBIs. . . . Scott Smith has broken out of a one-for-32 slump, going four for nine with a homer and two doubles before Saturday.

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Tonight’s Game: Lake Elsinore (Kyle Sebach, 6-4, 6.35) at JetHawks (Brett Hinchliffe, 9-9, 4.73), 5.