Marlins’ Lewis Brinson after first spring homer: ‘It’s enough of not believing in yourself’
The 2019 season was the darkest yet for Lewis Brinson. It was less than two years ago when he was considered the prize of the trade which sent Christian Yelich from the Miami Marlins to the Milwaukee Brewers. The outfielder was the No. 27 overall prospect in the MLB.com rankings coming into 2018 and injuries robbed him of almost all of his rookie campaign. Still, he came into spring training last year as a foundational piece for the Marlins, hit five home runs in the Grapefruit League season and then started in center field on Opening Day.
Nothing has gone right since. Miami sent Brinson to the minors after just about a month and didn’t bring him back to the Majors until the penultimate month of the season. He didn’t hit a single home run in 2019. He was worth negative-2.2 wins above replacement, according to Baseball-Reference.com.
“Last year didn’t happen,” said Brinson, still only 25. “Last couple of years haven’t happened. I’ve already put that on the back burner. I’m focused on this year, this spring. I feel like I’m a new guy.”
Brinson now talks like a player who knows he has no guarantees he will be with his hometown team long-term. Now a starting spot is unlikely. A roster spot isn’t even assured. Brinson spent his entire offseason was geared around resetting after a disastrous season.
It’s off to a good start, at least. Brinson is now 3 for 6 this spring with two runs and an RBI after hitting his first home run Tuesday in the second inning of the Marlins’ 7-4 win against the Houston Astros at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. The numbers don’t matter to Brinson, though. All he wants to do is get the barrel on the ball more consistently than he ever has.
“I just took a step back, man,” said Brinson, a former first-round pick out of Coral Springs High School in the 2012 MLB Draft. “I just kind of took time to myself, time to reflect, time to look ahead at the future and tell myself it’s enough of not believing in yourself. You belong here. This is your spot, this is your time — all that good stuff, all the cliche stuff, but really meaning it and really working on it.”
As he struggled through his first two Major League seasons, Brinson started to worry too much about hits. He ht just .199 with 11 home runs in 2018, and followed it up with a .179 average and no homers last season. He knew he had to totally shift his mentality.
Brinson spent more time studying video this offseason and wants to have better command of the barrel of his bat. Last season, Brinson too often went to the plate without a solid plan, and it got even worse when he fell behind in counts. He struck out 74 times in 226 plate appearances.
It’s now or never for Brinson in Miami as an impressive group of outfield prospects rise through the ranks. He feels new and improved. Now the Marlins need to see it, too.
“More professional, more prepared — that’s been the biggest thing so far,” Brinson said. “I know we’ve only played four games, but I feel very prepared, I don’t feel like I’m going up there blind like some games last year. I feel very prepared and very trusting of what I’ve been working on, and it’s going to apply well in the game.”
Said manager Don Mattingly: “He did a lot of work on his swing. ... Just let him play and see what it looks like.”
More Miami Marlins takeaways
▪ Jose Urena made his spring debut and flashed some positive signs. The pitcher gave up one hit, struck out one and hit one batter in two shutout innings, and, most importantly, he threw a lot of strikes with his fastball while trying to work the outside edge of the plate. Urena is battling for one of Miami’s final rotation spots after finishing last season out of the bullpen.
▪ Matt Kemp continued to perform well in a Marlins jersey. The three-time All-Star went 2 of 3 with a double and an RBI as he tries to solidify a roster spot. Fellow outfielder Harold Ramirez also drove in a run on a solo homer in the top of the second.
▪ Outfielder Jerar Encarnacion belted a three-run home run in the top of the ninth to give Miami the 7-4 win and keep its undefeated spring alive. The Marlins’ No. 17 prospect is now 3 for 6 with two home runs and four RBIs.
▪ Brandon Kintzler also made his Marlins debut, working a 1-2-3 third inning with a lineout and two pop ups. The reliever is the favorite to be Miami’s closer this season.
▪ Brian Anderson didn’t make the trip to the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, but the third baseman is fine after being hit by a pitch on his left hand Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a full participant in workouts in Jupiter.
▪ RelieverRyan Cook is in a boot after a ball struck his foot while playing catch earlier this week. Cook, who was an All-Star in 2012, is on a minor-league deal and will be out about a week.
▪ Starting pitcher Pablo Lopez will make his first start of the spring Wednesday against the Cardinals at 1:05 p.m. in Jupiter. The Marlins will be the road team at Roger Dean Stadium.
This story was originally published February 25, 2020 at 4:03 PM.
