Marlins Outfielder Lewis Brinson Making Most of His Return
Since his return from a hip injury, Miami Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson has proven to be more disciplined at the plate.
Is it possible the consistency and discipline Miami Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson has shown since his September 1 call-up has been because of the injury he suffered before independence day?
The rookie outfielder was sent to the disabled list with a hip issue that was thought to be something that would take a few days to heal. Instead, Brinson needed two months to get back to the Majors. In his return, he has become the more consistent player the organization hoped for when they sent Christian Yelich to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for the centerfielder during the offseason.
Since the first of the month, Brinson has been 11-for-26 and has raised his batting average from .186 when he last played in July to .206. It might not seem like a big deal, but he is seeing the ball better, which has led to better at-bats over the past eight days.
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As Mason Wittner of MLB.com wrote, “Brinson continued to find success on Friday as he extended his hitting streak to eight by going 3-for-4 with a single, double and home run in the Marlins’ 5-3 loss to the Pirates.”
It is something the 24-year-old South Florida native wants to improve on and show he can be a more consistent player at the plate and in the outfield.
“I want to just kind of be the player that I know that I’m supposed to be and that I can be,” Brinson said. “Kind of just trying to finish up strong, have a strong end of the season and help this team win as many games as possible in September.”
Brinson’s improvements make a crowded outfield a bit more complicated. The Marlins have moved several prospects to the parent roster, giving manager Don Mattingly an opportunity to see what the future may look like.
Mattingly sees great strides in how Brinson was at the beginning of the year and how he has performed now.
“If he doesn’t collapse his lower half, then he’s going to be good,” Mattingly said. “… He’s got lightning hands and his lower half just needs to be solid. If he keeps the lower half in good position, he’s going to hit.”
Brinson, upon being traded home to the Marlins said it was his dream growing up in Ft. Lauderdale. He watched former Marlins start Juan Pierre play when the team was a neophyte of an organization in MLB. During Spring Training, the two were finally able to meet.