Meet the New and Improved Chad Fonville

Chad Fonville may have lost out in his bid to become the everyday second baseman, but with the way he has played this spring, he could emerge as a major player in the Dodgers’ plans.

The Dodgers have been using Fonville almost exclusively in center field of late. Considering the plan to give Brett Butler rest in the early going to help build his stamina, Fonville could be his regular replacement.

“We’re seeing a totally different Chad Fonville this spring,” said Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president. “Last year, he came to camp 10 pounds overweight and acted like a guy who had the team made. He suffered the consequences.

“This spring, literally from Day 1, he has looked like a totally different player.”

Fonville is batting .265 this spring with three sacrifice bunts.

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There’s nothing that pleased pitching coach Dave Wallace more this spring than his staff’s improvement in holding runners on base.

The Dodgers, who allowed a major league worst 81% of baserunners to steal successfully last year--171 of 210--worked diligently with their pitchers to keep runners close this spring.

The result?

The opposition was successful 55% of the time--16 of 29.

“That was our No. 1 priority, controlling the running game,” Wallace said, “and we did that.”

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The Dodgers are trying to make a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals to retain second baseman Jeff Berblinger, who was selected in the Rule 5 draft. If not, he will be returned to the Cardinals. . . . Second baseman Wilton Guerrero was unanimously voted the best rookie in camp.