Miami Marlins Make Second Round of Cuts

The Miami Marlins decided to make their second round of cuts early on this morning. Once again, none of the moves come as a huge surprise, but the moves do paint a clearer picture on a couple of on-going spring training battles: fifth starter and bullpen.

Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post sent this Tweet out just a short while ago:

Gone are Alex Sanabia and Brad Hand from the Marlins fifth starter competition. Sanabia and Hand were both hit around during the spring, most notably their last appearance, against the St. Louis Cardinals, on Saturday.

Mar 9, 2013; Melbourne, FL, USA; Miami Marlins pitcher Alex Sanabia talks with catcher

(53) at the mound during the bottom of the second inning of a spring training game against the Washington Nationals at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

In 5 appearances this spring, Sanabia pitched seven innings, allowing four earned runs, striking out six hitters, while walking just one. Most of the damage against Sanabia occurred on Saturday via the St. Louis Cardinals bat. His bad performance came at a bad time, as Wade LeBlanc and Kevin Slowey have continued to pitch well and are now leading the pack to make the Marlins rotation.

Brad Hand finished the spring with the Marlins with a 12.00 ERA in just 3 innings of work. Hand allowed four runs, walked five hitters and struck out only two. His standing in the Marlins organization continues to tumble. If he cannot fix his control issues, the chances of Hand ever making an impact with the Marlins, or any MLB organization, are slim.

Evan Reed was in the competition for a spot in the Marlins bullpen. Reed had actually pitched well this spring, so it is a little surprising the team did not give him a little bit more of time to prove himself, but he should get an opportunity at some point this season.

Reed made five appearances, going six innings this spring. He limited opposing hitters to just four hits in those six innings, striking out eight, but struggling a bit with four walks.

Sam Dyson also had a nice spring, pitching five innings of scoreless baseball. Dyson struck out two hitters and walked just one. He is another option in the Marlins system that should receive a shot at some point this season.

On the hitting side, none of the hitters the Marlins sent down had a chance to make an impact with the team. Kyle Jenson went 1-for-10 in his chances, striking out four times. The scouting reports on Jenson proved to be true, as he struggled to make contact and did not make a lot of contact. He will likely begin the season at Triple-A for the Marlins.

Marcell Ozuna was main player sent down. Ozuna is seen a key part of the Marlins future outfield, if the team is unable to hold on to Giancarlo Stanton. He only got 11 at-bats this spring, picking up four hits and walking once. Ozuna surprisingly only struck out twice. He showed off his immense power yesterday with an opposite field homer off of Atlanta Braves starter Tim Hudson.

Ozuna will start the season at Double-A with Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick. Ozuna proved he could have a very bright future with the Marlins, maybe as soon as 2014.