Miami Marlins Morning Catch: Giancarlo Stanton Hitting Homers on Career-Record Pace

Good morning, Marlin Maniac readers and welcome to Morning Catch, the daily morning news and notes column from MarlinManiac.com.

Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton mashing home runs at career-record pace

Michael Jong, Fishstripes

Hey, did you check out the latest bomb by Giancarlo Stanton from last night’s rubber-game victory over the Chicago Cubs?

That was Stanton’s 17th home run of the year for the Miami Marlins, putting him one behind Bryce Harper and Nelson Cruz for the Major League lead. Despite a weird month of May in which he hit seven home runs but hit only .185/.258/.474 (.306 wOBA), the slugger is forcing himself back into the race of the top players in the National League, slowly but surely. Right now, Stanton’s .231/.325/.533 (.361 wOBA) line does not look too impressive, but it is far more likely to head upwards rather than down.

This is especially true if Stanton continues to smash baseballs out of stadiums and into camera wells: (Read More Here)

Bour making Marlins’ ‘flier’ pick in Rule 5 Draft look very wise

Christina De Nicola, Fox Sports Florida

For certain things, like eating donuts — for example — Miami Marlins first baseman Justin Bour doesn’t consider himself a patient person. Baseball’s another story, especially when considering his journey to the majors.

“Baseball is something you don’t have a lot of control over,” Bour said. “You can only control so much. That’s something that you learn along the way. I’m been playing for quite a while now, so I’ve learned that.”

Bour, projected to be taken between the fifth and 12th rounds of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, instead waited until the 25th when the Chicago Cubs finally selected him. (Read More Here)

Miami Marlins vs. Colorado Rockies: 3 Players to Watch For

Andrew Dill, Rox Pile

After an exciting finish to the four-game set against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Colorado Rockies now shift their focus to the Miami Marlins, who will be coming to town for a three-game set. Although the record isn’t where Marlins’ fans expect it to be (22-32), Miami has won their last two series, against the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets.

If you missed last series’ edition of the three players chosen to watch for, make sure to follow the link.

Last series picks:

1. Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers): (W, 4-3): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO.
2. Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies): 5-for-12, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2 BB.
3. Kyle Kendrick (Rockies): (L, 2-7): 5.1 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO.

(Read More Here)

Cubs’ Junior Lake taunts Marlins on home run trot; benches clear

Jesse Rodgers, ESPN Chicago

There was no ambiguity with the apology after the game as Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon and outfielder Junior Lake took responsibility for Lake’s actions following his home run off Miami Marlins starter Dan Haren in the sixth inning of the Marlins’ 7-3 win Wednesday night.

Lake stared at the ball as it left the yard, threw his bat away and then slowly made his way around the bases. After hearing Marlins players yelling at him from their dugout, he made the “shh” sign to them as he rounded third base. That led to both benches emptying near home plate, although no punches were thrown and there were no ejections.

“We don’t do that here,” Maddon said after the loss. “It’ll be the last time you see it.” (Read More Here)

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