Miami Marlins 2012 Season Preview: Second Base

Today we will continue on with our Miami Marlins season preview. Next up for us is second base. In 2010, the Marlins had the luxury of having one of the best second baseman in all of baseball in Dan Uggla. Uggla was traded after the 2010 season for Omar Infante and Mike Dunn. Omar Infante then embarked on being the Marlins every day second baseman.

Depth Chart

1. Omar Infante

2. Donnie Murphy

Omar Infante struggled mightily during the 2011 first half. In his 1053 PA in three seasons with the Atlanta Braves, Infante posted a .309/.353/.411 slash line. With the Marlins his numbers regressed to a .276/.315/.382.

Infante had two different seasons in 2011. His first half was a disaster. In the second half, Infante returned to his former self.

A big part of the Marlins struggles at the plate in the first half is in part Infante’s fault. If he had hit like he did in the first half, the Marlins would have been significantly better.

Much of the difference for Infante in the first and second half were his BABIP’s. His first half BABIP was a very unlucky .274. Infante posted a .338 BABIP in the second half, which is very similar to his BABIP in Atlanta.

Here is a look at Omar Infante’s projected 2012 numbers:

These projections place Infante as a below average to average hitter. His value for the Marlins comes on defense though for the Marlins.

Last season, Infante both the scouts and many statistical measurements had him as one of the best second basemen in baseball defensively. Many statistical measurements had Infante saving between 8 and 22 runs.

The question remains, can Infante repeat those numbers in 2012? I personally like the possiblity that Infante will have his name in the hat for the Gold Glove award in 2012 again.

Here is a look at my projections for Omar Infante in 2012:

My projections have Infante right along as the same as the projections above. This type of production in 2012 would make Infante quite a bargain for the contract that he is signed to. The Marlins did an excellent job in getting a fair deal done for both sides when it came to Infante’s contract.

Backing up Infante in 2012 will likely be Donnie “Bleepin” Murphy.

Murphy has struggled the last two seasons with injuries. He finally feels healthy going into the 2012 season. The Marlins need Murphy to be a key cog off of the bench. In 2010, Murphy had many clutch hits to win Marlins games! Lets hope he can repeat that in 2012.

Tomorrow we will look at the Marlins and their interesting third base dilemma. Can Hanley Ramirez be trusted to play third base in 2012? See what interesting comment a Marlins player had.