Miami Marlins ST Outfield Update: Brinson, Harrison, Cooper Impressive

Spring is in the air, and the Miami Marlins are back in action.

Throughout Spring Training, we’ll keep tabs on all the Miami Marlins in camp for you. On Mondays, we’re reviewing the rotation. Tuesday is the outfield, then Wednesday bullpen, Thursday catchers, and Friday the infield.

The Miami Marlins have played three games already this spring. What kinds of lessons can we take away from our first impressions? There are 13 outfielders in camp, not counting Brian Anderson, and only three starting spots in the outfield. There will either be one or two additional outfielders on the Opening Day roster, depending on how many infielders the Marlins expect to carry.

Miami Marlins 40-Man Roster

Lewis Brinson batted seventh in the Miami Marlins Spring Training opener against the St. Louis Cardinals, and got to first base in both of his plate appearances. He collected the first hit of the spring for the Marlins, a double, and later drew a walk after falling behind, 0-2 in the count. Brinson also stole a base, but was later picked off trying to steal. In the second game of the spring, a 10-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Brinson went deep for the Marlins first homer, a solo shot in the fifth.

Garrett Cooper started on first base on Saturday, and collected one of only three hits for the Miami Marlins. He struck out in his other plate appearance. Cooper continued his hot start with a two-for-two day in the second game with a single and a double, also drawing a walk and scoring twice.

Austin Dean started the opener and went 0-for-2. After taking the day off on Sunday, he turned in a two-for-three effort on Monday in the Miami victory against Tampa Bay. He had a two-RBI-single in the third inning, and later scored the game winning run on a defensive error.

Monte Harrison‘s first look, on day two would see him go two-for-three from the plate with a strikeout. Not bad. In Miami’s victory, he batted fifth, played center field, and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout.

Rosell Herrera went 0-for-2 in the season opener, then led off in the Marlins first win to go 0-for-3.

Peter O’Brien batted cleanup in the Spring Training opener and in the Miami win over the Rays, going 0-for-5 and striking out twice.

Magneuris Sierra batted fifth agains the St. Louis Cardinals, and was 0-for-2 with a couple of questionable defensive plays. In the second game, he struck out and collected a single before again going 0-for-2 in the Marlins win.

Miami Marlins Non-Roster Invitees

Isaac Galloway started in the second game in left field, and was one-for-two in his two plate appearances. In the third game, he started in right field and finished 0-for-2.

Curtis Granderson has not played yet this spring.

Gabriel Guerrero played in all three games, and struck out in each of his five plate appearances.

Victor Victor Mesa looked spry, but unsure of himself on defense. He started the season as Herrera’s replacement in the later innings of the opener, and was 0-for-1 from the plate. In his first two at bats of the second game, he grounded out, then pulled up lame beating out a double-play ball in the sixth. Currently considered day-to-day, expect Mesa to get more game-action in two weeks or so.

Brian Miller relieved Brinson in game two, and hit a double in two at bats. He later scored a run. In the third game of the season, he came in for Harrison, and turned in an 0-for-2 contest.

Harold Ramirez relieved Dean in the later innings of the opener, and grounded out in his at bat. After relieving Mesa in the second contest, he scored a run and went one-for-two from the plate. Ramirez also played in the third game, getting onto first base by way of HBP in the eighth, then scoring on a Jon Berti triple.

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Overall Impression

It’s still to early to make a statement of any permanence, but we can make limited observations. Harrison’s struck out twice, but he’s hitting .400. You know, I’ll take that. Guerrero has had zero success against five different pitchers. Don’t let that bother you too much either, he’s a .273 hitter in eight minor league seasons, and should find some measure of success this spring. O’Brien, more than most of the outfielders, has more leeway in his performance due to his modularity at first base.

Speaking of first base, sometime first baseman Cooper has made it to first base in four of his five plate appearances thus far. Remember the Miami Marlins got him with fireballer Caleb Smith last offseason from the New York Yankees for minor leaguer Michael King. It could turn out to be a great deal in future hindsight, but we’ll have to wait and see.