An update on Miami Marlins’ plans for Villar and more from Day 1 of full-squad workouts
Jonathan Villar, the versatile infielder acquired from the Baltimore Orioles this offseason, was the first Miami Marlins position player to arrive at the Roger Dean Stadium complex Monday ahead of the team’s first full-squad practice of spring training.
If the Marlins’ plans for him are as to be expected, he’ll have a busy five weeks.
Manager Don Mattingly said Monday they plan to “mess around” with Villar getting extended reps at center field to begin spring training.
“We’ll see if that’s a position he can handle,” Mattingly said. “You kind of look at Jonathan and you feel he’s the best athlete on the field. You watch him play with energy and movement.”
Villar’s primary positions over the course of his seven-year MLB career have been second base and shortstop. He has some experience at third base, as well.
The amount of time he has played in center field at the big leagues: eight games.
Villar said he’s not sure exactly when they plan to put him in the outfield for game action — Grapefruit League games begin on Saturday — or how long it would take him to adjust to the position.
“I’m here for everybody,” Villar said after practice. “I’m here to help the team.”
But for a Marlins team that is still searching for an everyday center fielder — Villar is competing primarily with Lewis Brinson, Magneuris Sierra, Jon Berti and prospect Monte Harrison at that spot — it doesn’t hurt to at least see what value he can bring in the outfield.
“We’re going to give it a shot,” Mattingly said. “We think he fits there with our club and our pieces would be great if he’s able to pick that up and be a guy you can put out there. ... There are options whichever way we go.”
Regardless of where he plays, the Marlins plan to have Villar on the field as often as they can.
Villar, 28 and a Dominican Republic native, had a .274 batting average last season with career-highs in home runs (24), runs scored (111) and RBI (73) to go along with 33 doubles and 40 stolen bases. He was one of five players to play all 162 games in 2019.
For his career, which includes stints with the Houston Astros (2013-2015), Milwaukee Brewers (2016-2018) and Orioles (2018-2019), Villar has a .261 batting average, 78 home runs, 381 runs scored, 268 RBI and 202 stolen bases. He led MLB with 62 stolen bases in 2016.
▪ Ironically enough, Villar’s first live field work came at his natural second base spot, working alongside Isan Diaz. Jesus Aguilar and non-roster invitee Sean Rodriguez were at first base, Miguel Rojas at shortstop, and Brian Anderson and Berti were at third base while getting instruction from coach Trey Hillman.
Mattingly spent a good amount of time talking with Rodriguez, a Miami native and Braddock alum, and talked with him between his reps.
▪ Mattingly on what he envisions as the team’s identity: “We want a club that starts to exude that confidence, that starts to show a little bit of swag, that starts to show a little bit of pushback and has expectations that we’re better.”
▪ Outfielder Matt Kemp, a non-roster invitee, was a crowd favorite at practice among the fans who came to the complex.
▪ Top prospects Edward Cabrera, Trevor Rogers and Braxton Garrett were among the pitchers to throw bullpen sessions.
▪ Majority owner Bruce Sherman watched the majority of practice Monday alongside president of baseball operations Michael Hill.
This story was originally published February 17, 2020 at 4:48 PM.
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