Marlins testing Brian Anderson at new position during doubleheader vs Orioles
.JPG "Miami Marlins third baseman Brian Anderson throws out Baltimore Orioles’ Chris Davis at first base on a groundout during the seventh inning in game one of a baseball double-header, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Baltimore. The Marlins won 1-0.")
The Miami Marlins tested Brian Anderson’s Gold Glove-level defense at a new position.
Anderson, who has already shown he’s solid at both third base and in right field, started at first base during the second game of the Marlins’ doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles with Jesus Aguilar serving as the designated hitter. Miami won the game 2-1 to sweep the two games and clinch their four-game series ahead of Thursday’s series finale.
Anderson said the only time he played first base was in an emergency situation while playing in the Arizona Fall League in 2016. It was a similar situation on Wednesday, with newly acquired infielder Logan Forsythe unavailable.
Anderson took extended reps at the position during warmups ahead of the Marlins’ 1-0 win to begin the day. Manager Don Mattingly and third-base coach/defensive coordinator Trey Hillman spent a good amount of time talking with Anderson at first base, helping him with proper glovework after everyone else cleared the field. Mattingly looked impressed after giving Anderson a few pointers.
“We looked at our options at first and Andy was the best one,” Mattingly said. “He did a good job. Andy’s pretty athletic. Obviously we’ve seen him at third. We’ve put him in right and he looks good. You put him in that crease out there in right-center in the shift and he looks good there. He’s good everywhere. ... We said ‘Do you’re best. We know we’re in an emergency situation. Do the best you can do.’”
Anderson admitted it was different being at first base, especially since he almost never plays or practices the position.
But it would be hard to tell based on his play Wednesday night.
He was challenged immediately, have to stretch to grab a throw from third baseman Eddy Alvarez on the first plate appearance in the bottom of the first inning. He narrowly kept his foot on the bag to record the out against Hanser Alberto.
And then, in the sixth inning, Anderson snagged a foul popup from Jose Iglesias that went over the Orioles’ dugout. Anderson bobbled the ball as he extended out his left arm, but the ball landed safely in his glove.
Having a nine-time Gold Glove winner in Mattingly giving him a crash course on the position helped calm the nerves a bit, too.
“Any questions I had for him,” Anderson said., “he had the answer.”
The Marlins view Anderson as their third baseman of the future, but having for roster flexibility on defense with position players certainly doesn’t hurt. As the roster is constructed, Aguilar as the team’s only true first baseman on the roster with Garrett Cooper on the injured list. Forsythe, when available, can also play there.
The Marlins’ full lineup for the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader: Jonathan Villar at shortstop, Jon Berti at second base, Corey Dickerson in left field, Aguilar as the designated hitter, Anderson at first base, Matt Joyce in right field, Ryan Lavarnway at catcher, Eddy Alvarez at third base and Magneuris Sierra in center field.
Josh A. Smith started on the mound in what ultimately ended up as a bullpen game for the Marlins.
This story was originally published August 5, 2020 at 7:56 PM.
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