Miami Marlins Spring Training Battles 2020: Center Field

Of all the question marks for the Miami Marlins in 2020, perhaps the biggest is, who’s going to play center field? Heading into spring training, Miami has a cluttered outfield group. But one of those players will need to emerge to take over everyday.

As it stands right now, the Marlins will have at least 14 outfielders at camp in Jupiter. And that’s not including utility players like Jon Berti and the newly acquired Jonathan Villar, who can play just about anywhere. Now, that number includes prospects invited to Captain’s Camp, but even with the understanding that JJ Bleday, Jesus Sanchez and Jerar Encarnacion will not be with the big club when camp breaks, it’s still a lot of players to sort through.

“There’s no shortage of potential candidates,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said of the center field position in January during baseball’s Winter Meetings.

Last season, the Marlins started nine different players in center field. Lewis Brinson led the way with 54 starts, followed by JT Riddle (26), Cesar Puello (19), Harold Ramirez (19), Berti (15), Rosell Herrera (10), Isaac Galloway (10), Magneuris Sierra (8) and Yadiel Rivera (1).

Here’s a look at what could be one of the most interesting battles at spring training for the Marlins, Center Field.

Lewis Brinson

The odds on favorite to win the every day role is Lewis Brinson. The 25-year-old from Coral Springs, FL, may be down to his last shot with the Marlins after two subpar seasons.

Once considered the centerpiece of the Christian Yelich trade, Brinson has been a capable defender in center, but he’s struggled mightily with the bat. In 2019, Brinson hit just .173 with a .236 on-base percentage. He struck out 74 times over 75 games and managed just 13 walks.

Miami struggled to produce runs last season, finishing 29th in MLB (615). And if the Marlins are looking to be more competitive in 2020, they have to have capable offensive threats throughout the lineup. Brinson will need to demonstrate his abilities with the bat in spring training or risk his spot on the roster.

Harold Ramirez

Harold Ramirez came to the Marlins on a minor league deal in 2019, failed to make the MLB roster out of spring training, then received a call-up in May. Ramirez provided a jolt to the stagnant lineup and had a productive first few months in the big leagues.

Ramirez demonstrated his ability to play any of the three outfield positions before his 10th game with Miami. That begs the question, how does he fit in the new Marlins outfield?

The Marlins offense was notably better with Ramirez in the lineup, and the team won more often when he was on the field. Miami won 43 of the 100 games he started, whereas they won only 14 of the 62 games he didn’t start. Ramirez also had a flair for the dramatic, leading the team with three walk-off hits, including walk-off home runs on August 1 and August 29.

The fear with putting Ramirez as the everyday center fielder is his defense. To call Ramirez a defensive liability in center could be an understatement. By all the metrics, he was bad out there. But his bat, especially under the tutelage of new hitting instructor James Rowson, might need to be in the lineup. Ramirez will need to show he still belongs during spring, but he’s probably best suited for a utility and platoon role.

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Other Options

The Marlins will have more than a dozen players patrolling the outfield this spring, and as many as half a dozen of those could end up as the everyday center fielder. In addition to the four players mentioned above, the Marlins might consider Jon Berti or Jonathan Villar in center.

Berti made 15 starts in center in 2019 and was generally an effective player for Miami. But he might be best suited for a super-utility role. Last season, Berti spent time at each of the outfield spots, as well as shortstop and third base.

Another option could be the newly acquired Jonathan Villar. In his seven big league seasons, Villar has made eight appearances in center field. He’s also made five appearances in left field. But none of those outfield appearances have come over the last three seasons, where he played primarily at second base or shortstop.