Hampson making early impression on Marlins. Plus notes on Burdick, Luzardo, Sixto
Garrett Hampson isn’t trying to put too much pressure on himself.
But deep down, he knows what the next month means.
Hampson is with the Miami Marlins in spring training as a non-roster invitee. He signed a minor-league deal with the club in December after the Colorado Rockies did not tender him a contract after seven seasons with the organization — including spending parts of five seasons on the big-league club.
Making the Marlins’ Opening Day roster is no guarantee for Hampson. He knows that. But the 28-year-old isn’t trying to put to much pressure on himself as he attempts to make an impact on the Marlins’ coaching staff and front office.
“Just trying to show what I can bring to the table,” Hampson said Monday after playing five innings in center field in the Marlins’ 4-3 spring training win over the Houston Astros at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. “Rely on my versatility and being able to play different positions. Use my speed and be kind of a game-wrecker out there and make things happen.”
For what it’s worth, Hampson is already high on first-year Marlins manager Skip Schumaker’s radar. The two crossed paths when Schumaker was in the National League West for four years with the San Diego Padres.
Hampson would provide the Marlins defensive versatility. He has made 131 career starts in center field, 105 at second base and 39 at shortstop.
Schumaker said Hampson would be a backup center field option should he make the team and that “he needs to play up the middle,” which includes both middle infield spots.
That’s fine by Hampson.
“I haven’t really played a primary position every day for the last three years,” Hampson said. “I’m used to moving around. I’m getting work in during spring training on all three positions. Wherever they need me.”
He is also a steady right-handed bat off the bench — Hampson has a career .261 batting average and .753 on-base-plus-slugging mark in 446 plate appearances against left-handed pitching.
“He gives a tough at-bat against lefties,” Schumaker said. “He’s going to be a fun player to watch.”
Last season, however, was not a fun year for Hampson. He set career-lows across the board offensively (.211 average, .287 on-base percentage, .307 slugging, .594 OPS in 90 games). The Rockies opted to non-tender him as a result and he spent the offseason as a free agent. Miami scooped him up on a minor-league deal.
“It’s a new opportunity,” Hampson said. “The past is in the past. I can’t go back. I enjoyed my time there in Colorado, but that time ended. I’m really excited to be here.”
Peyton Burdick homers
The Marlins’ first home run of spring training this year? That honor goes to outfielder Peyton Burdick, who sent a 1-1 offering from Astros starter Forrest Whitley just beyond the right-field wall in the second inning Monday. He added a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning.
Burdick, who has played in all three of the Marlins’ Grapefruit League games so far, also had a pair of hits on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals and his at-bats overall so far have looked steady.
“And he’s playing quality outfield, too,” Schumaker said. “He can play all three outfield positions. He’s going about it the right way.”
Jesus Luzardo’s first spring start
Left-handed pitcher Jesus Luzardo, coming off a breakout 2022 season, looked sharp in his first spring training game on Monday.
The 25-year-old threw two innings and landed 22 of his 28 pitches for strikes. After a perfect first inning, which including Luzardo striking out Jose Altuve swinging to begin the frame, Luzardo worked around three hits in the second to hold Houston to just one run.
“I wasn’t working on anything specific, but I felt really good,” Luzardo said. “Definitely better than I did last spring. I feel like I’m more aware of what I want my stuff to do and where I want to put it.”
Sixto Sanchez update
Right-handed pitcher Sixto Sanchez, sidelined the past two years due to an assortment of shoulder injuries, threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Monday morning. It was his first bullpen since reporting to Jupiter after throwing five bullpens leading up to camp.
“I was a little desperate just to get back on the mound,” Sanchez said. “We started that process.”
Sanchez said his next bullpen session is scheduled for Friday. He only threw fastballs on Monday and the session was more about getting. back in the rhythm of a pitching schedule than anything else.
This and that
▪ Right-handed pitcher Matt Barnes, acquired by the Marlins in a January trade with the Boston Red Sox, struck out Altuve looking and got Jeremy Pena to fly out to right field before giving up a two-out home run to J.J. Matijevic in the third inning.
▪ Shortstop prospect Nasim Nunez, known for his premier defense, made one of the top plays on Monday when he slid to snag a Tyler Whitaker ground ball and fire an accurate throw to first baseman Troy Johnston for the final out of the seventh inning.
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