FORT MYERS, FLA. -- Michael Cuddyer patrolled right field Saturday as if he has spent his career there.

Boston's Johnny Damon sent a liner to right in the first inning, but Cuddyer dashed to his left to make a fine running catch and rob him of a potential extra-base hit.

In the ninth inning, Freddy Sanchez sent a low liner to right that Cuddyer read instantly and rushed in to make a shoe-top grab.

Cuddyer was asked after the game how many times he had started in right field.

"In my life? Twice," he said.

When was the other one?

"Uh, last Thursday," he said.

Cuddyer has looked far from green in the outfield as he tries to win the right field job. He boosted his chances Saturday by hitting a two-run homer to go with the two fine defensive plays in the Twins' 8-7, 10-inning victory over Boston.

This is the same Cuddyer who was drafted as a shortstop and committed 61 errors at Class A Fort Wayne in 1998. This is the same Cuddyer who moved to third base and committed 28 and 34 errors in the next two minor league seasons. This is the same Cuddyer who was given an outfielder's glove a year ago.

But this also is the player who was selected with the ninth overall pick in 1997 because of his great power potential. Last season, Cuddyer batted .301 with 30 homers and 87 RBI at Class AA New Britain. If he's going to hit homers, the Twins gladly will play him in right field.

Cuddyer, 22, said coming through the system as an infielder has helped him read balls off the bat and get good jumps on them.

"As an infielder you rely so much on seeing the bat through the zone and I can take that into the outfield," he said. "So far, it has helped me see the ball and be able to read it."

Cuddyer also asks Torii Hunter for tips on how to play the outfield. Hunter won a Gold Glove last season.

"It's great to have one of the best, to actually study from him," Cuddyer said. "I'm constantly asking questions about where to play this guy and where to play that guy. Where this guy hits or where his tendencies are."

Cuddyer also has been used in left field, first base and third base during spring games. Flexibility is a plus.

"Right field is where his chances are," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said, "but I still want to see him at other positions."

Cuddyer doesn't mind the role-switching, but it's demanding. He has to practice at every position. Whichever one he's not assigned to that day, he works on before or after workouts.

"It's tough, but I want to do whatever it takes," Cuddyer said. "Whatever is going to help the team, whether it's me playing third or me playing first base or me playing the outfield. I have to be ready."

The Twins see little reason why Cuddyer can't stick as a right fielder. And they certainly don't view the position change as a failure. Shortstops usually are good athletes, so if they can hit, a position can be found.

One example is Atlanta slugger Gary Sheffield, who broke into the majors as a shortstop but now is an All-Star caliber right fielder.

"That's high cotton there," Gardenhire said, "Right now, he's trying to find a way to make this baseball team. Whatever it takes."