Observations on the Marlins lineup and position battles as spring reaches halfway point
The Miami Marlins are three weeks into spring training and three weeks from opening the 2020 season.
With spring training at the halfway point, the club is going to start making decisions as it dwindles its roster from the 65 players taking part in spring training to the 26 players who will be on the Opening Day roster when the Marlins host the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Park on March 26.
Here are five observations from spring training at the halfway point.
The Marlins’ lineup is coming into form
Based on the lineups manager Don Mattingly has rolled out, it looks like the Marlins’ everyday lineup is starting to take shape.
The first four hitters when the expected regulars are in the lineup has consistently been Jonathan Villar, Brian Anderson, Corey Dickerson and Jesus Aguilar in that order. Matt Joyce, expected to be in a semi-platoon in right field, has typically batted fifth. Second baseman Isan Diaz, the catcher spot (Jorge Alfaro and Francisco Cervelli) and shortstop Miguel Rojas will likely round out the bottom three spots in the lineup before the pitcher bats ninth.
This order provides experience at the top and gives a healthy mix of left- and right-handed hitters throughout the lineup, a luxury Mattingly hasn’t really had during his tenure with Miami.
The kids are providing energy
It has become almost a daily ritual this spring training for the Marlins. Almost every game, at least one of Miami’s top prospects comes up with a big play or finds a way to add some excitement to what could become a monotonous six-week tuneup to the season.
Outfielder Monte Harrison has stolen four bases. Outfielders Jerar Encarnacion and Jesus Sanchez have showcased their power with towering home runs. Shortstop Jazz Chisholm has been stout defensively. Pitcher Edward Cabrera has impressed with his command to supplement his 100 mph fastball and 94 mph changeup.
Barring a last-minute decision, the Marlins will most likely have all of their top prospects start in the minor leagues.
The offense is showing some pop
Marlins bench coach and “offensive coordinator” James Rowson’s philosophy for hitters can be boiled down to one simple sentence.
“We’re going out there with intent to do damage on every pitch,” he said Wednesday.
There are still some kinks to work out with individual players as they continue to get their timing right and regain their feel for the strike zone.
But overall, Rowson has been impressed with the Marlins’ efforts at the plate in spring training.
Eleven players have combined to hit 16 home runs, tied for the sixth most this spring training heading into Thursday’s games. They have 40 total extra-base hits, and their 64 runs scored are tied for the fourth most.
There’s still plenty of competition for roster spots
At this point, the Marlins’ three main areas with spots up for grabs are their bench, starting rotation and bullpen.
Let’s start with the offense. If Villar pans out in center field — and Mattingly said outfield coach Billy Hatcher has been impressed with Villar’s limited work so far —and Diaz is the team’s everyday second baseman, the Marlins essentially just need to fill out their five-player bench. One spot goes to the backup catcher. Another likely goes to Jon Berti or another super-utility player. That leaves three spots for theoretically some combination of Matt Kemp, Lewis Brinson, Harold Ramirez, Garrett Cooper and Magneuris Sierra should the top prospects start in the minors.
As for the starting rotation, Sandy Alcantara and Caleb Smith should be locks, with Pablo Lopez and Jose Urena the next closest to being assured spots. Jordan Yamamoto, Robert Dugger and Elieser Hernandez are competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, while top prospects Cabrera, Sixto Sanchez and Nick Neidert represent the next wave of starters.
The bullpen seems to be the most up for grabs. Brandon Kintzler, Ryne Stanek and Yimi Garcia should be locks. Drew Steckenrider will be, too, if he doesn’t start on the injured list. Sterling Sharp, a Rule 5 selection in December, will need to make the roster or else the Marlins have to send him back to the Washington Nationals. Stephen Tarpley, Adam Conley, Brad Boxberger, Alex Vesia, Aaron Northcraft and Pat Venditte are the other main pitchers vying for spots. Jeff Brigham is most likely starting the season on the IL.
Could the Marlins be a base-stealing team?
The Marlins stole 55 bases last season, tied with the New York Yankees for the sixth lowest in MLB last season.
Could that change this year? Miami has been aggressive on the basepaths in spring, stealing 12 bases in 13 games, and their 18 overall steal attempts rank second only to the Seattle Mariners’ 24 (16 successful stolen bases).
Villar has stolen at least 23 bases in four consecutive seasons, including 40 in 2019 and a career-best 62 in 2016. Berti stole a team-high 17 bases in just 73 games last year.
“It’s a lost art in the game,” said Harrison, who has stolen four bases this spring. “Just to know that everyone is looking for home runs, but just as much as you can hit home runs, you can steal bases and score runs at the same time. That’s how you win. Scoring runs.”
This story was originally published March 5, 2020 at 12:19 PM.
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