Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera confident Nick Castellanos could make switch to left field

AP PhotoWith Miguel Cabrera at third base, the Detroit Tigers might take a look at Nick Castellanos in the outfield.

Miguel Cabrera knows a thing or two about position changes, and figures the Detroit Tigers' top prospect could figure it out too if it meant moving up his arrival to the major leagues.

Third baseman Nick Castellanos told reporters in Kansas City this week that

.

Cabrera, who moved back to third this season to make room for Prince Fielder, got his shot with the Florida Marlins in 2003 because of his ability to play in the outfield.

"It was easy because I was young. I was able to do that,"

. "I was surprised at the time, but it was an opportunity to play in the big leagues. When they gave me the opportunity, I wanted to work hard, not throw away the opportunity they gave to me and try to make it and try to be consistent in the big leagues."

According to Beck, Cabrera played only three games in the outfield in the minors before getting called up. Cabrera doesn't think Castellanos would have any trouble with a position switch, either.

"He’s more athletic than me back when I was that age. He’s faster than me," Cabrera said.

Nick Castellanos

The 20-year-old Castellanos

after going 3-for-4 with a three-run homer. He's hitting .307 in 27 games with the SeaWolves after tearing it up at Single-A Lakeland (.402, 32 RBI in 55 games).

Tigers president Dave Dombrowski told the Detroit News' Lynn Henning on Wednesday that

.

"It's a situation with Miguel at third base, and with him being very comfortable there and doing a good job, there's the potential he could get some playing time in the outfield," Dombrowski told Henning.

Cabrera made his Marlins debut at age 20 and played in 87 games in that 2003 regular season, hitting .268 with 12 home runs and 62 RBI. He played in the outfield because Florida had veteran Mike Lowell at third.

In the postseason, Cabrera hit three home runs against the Chicago Cubs in the National League Championship Series and homered again in the Marlins' World Series victory over the New York Yankees.

Email Josh Slagter at jslagter@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JoshSlagter