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Miami Marlins: 3 Storylines to follow at Spring Training

By David Levin |
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 05: Brian Anderson #15 of the Miami Marlins is congratulated by third base coach Fredi Gonzalez #33 following a grand slam home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning at Miller Park on June 05, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 05: Brian Anderson #15 of the Miami Marlins is congratulated by third base coach Fredi Gonzalez #33 following a grand slam home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning at Miller Park on June 05, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 30: Harold Ramirez #47 of the Miami Marlins celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 30, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 30: Harold Ramirez #47 of the Miami Marlins celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 30, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

The Marlins look to prove they are an improved ballclub for the 2020 MLB season.

If you have been reading anything on social media. you know the Miami Marlins look different this year as pitchers and catchers reported to the team’s training facility in Jupiter, Florida.

Jorge Alfaro looks to be in better shape. Pablo Lopez has been doing some work off the mound. Veteran Matt Kemp, who was invited to camp as a non-roster player, has gotten some time at first base. All of these improvements should pay off for the fledgling franchise as players inch closer to the start of the regular season.

The Marlins mantra for this season, especially as this is Year 3 of the rebuild Derek Jeter and his staff have built the organization around, is to improve more than last season. With only 57 wins last season, anything short of improvement would amount to a huge disappointment.

“We’re looking at it like it’s time to start moving forward,” Manager Don Mattingly added via MLB.com. “A lot of guys we think are going to be part of the future are moving to that Triple-A range and have been through Double-A. Knowing that they’re right there, obviously, hitting the roster this year with some guys, and more guys to come.”

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If these Miami Marlins are to improve, they must hit better, hold leads late in the game and rely on multiple players to come up big at the right time. If that does not happen, Mattingly’s job could be in jeopardy this season. The Marlins took a big step forward this off-season by adding to the organization instead of subtracting.

The front office was aggressive this winter, adding bats and power to the middle of the lineup, and brought in veteran arms to help the bullpen. Jeter and his staff took their time to find what they believe to be the right puzzle pieces to fit for the upcoming season.

If Miami’s going to take this “leap of faith“ and prove to the Marlins fans that the time is now to show progress, then there are the players who will help establish that tone. There is plenty to be excited about as players get ready for the Grapefruit League and hopefully put other teams on notice that this ball club in South Florida won’t be the worst in the National League the season.

Here are three major storylines to follow in spring training this year.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 23: Jordan Yamamoto #50 of the Miami Marlins in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a baseball game at Citizens Bank Park on June 23, 2019, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Marlins defeated the Phillies 6-4. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 23: Jordan Yamamoto #50 of the Miami Marlins in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a baseball game at Citizens Bank Park on June 23, 2019, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Marlins defeated the Phillies 6-4. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

The Fourth and Fifth Starter

We know the Marlins will send out Sandy Alcantara, Caleb Smith, and Pablo Lopez as the first three starters in the rotation. After that, there are plenty of youngsters for the coaching staff to choose from. It makes for one of the more interesting battles this spring.

Jordan Yamamoto started out hot, winning his first four games in the Majors last season. He then came back to earth a bit and lost some of its consistency. He was also injured towards the end of last season. I figure he will be the fourth starter for the Marlins.

Robert Dugger, Elieser Hernandez, and a host of other arms have a chance to become the fifth man on the mound. Nick Neidert, Sixto Sanchez, and Edward Cabrera are all believed to be major league ready but it’s only time preventing them from making the 26-man roster. Neidert figures to be the first arm called up from the minors.

Another development to watch is what the team does with Jose Urena, who could be an arm out of the bullpen or provide veteran leadership as the fifth starter. Urena could also be DFA’d if the Miami Marlins do not seek a trade for him.

The one thing the Marlins continue to have is plenty of options. Mattingly must choose the right ones for this team to move forward.

TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 28: Jesus Aguilar #21 of the Tampa Bay Rays runs to first base after hitting a pop fly during the sixth inning of their MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 28: Jesus Aguilar #21 of the Tampa Bay Rays runs to first base after hitting a pop fly during the sixth inning of their MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 28, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

Who’s on First?

I asked this question not because I want to start a comedy routine, but it is a genuine concern for the Marlins after what can only be described as a hot potato position last season.

Multiple players occupied the bag last year which caused headaches for Mattingly and the front office. Miami made sure to bring in reinforcements this year in the way of Jesus Aguilar, who came over on waivers from Tampa Bay. The team also signed Matt Kemp as a non-roster invitee to training camp. The veteran was taking grounders at first base on the first day that pitchers and catchers reported.

Kemp needs to make the team out of camp and could be a reliable veteran off the bench. Should he find his power stroke again, 25 home runs could be possible.

Garrett Cooper is another name to watch as he spent time in the infield last year. He was injured quite a bit in 2019, which is a concern for this organization. He appeared in only 105 games. If he can remain healthy this season, there’s no reason to think he couldn’t approach 25 to 30 home runs. Cooper smacked 15 of them last year.

Another alternative could be Lewin Diaz, a minor-league talent who was brought over from the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline last year. He showed power at the plate in two different organizations and could be ready for a big-league push by the middle of the season.

DENVER, CO – AUGUST 17: Brian Anderson #15 of the Miami Marlins stands in the on deck circle before batting against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 17, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 17: Brian Anderson #15 of the Miami Marlins stands in the on deck circle before batting against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 17, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Where to play Brian Anderson

I’ve talked about this a few times this off-season and I think it should be repeated again. The Marlins had done a good job of adding players to its roster to help build a winner. The front office and coaching staff cannot forget those core players who were on the roster last season that helped show progress in Year 2.

Jeter did a good job of finding help for Brian Anderson to build around. The third baseman/outfielder is stuck in no-man’s land right now. Where the team plans to play him remains a mystery, although we may have gotten a bit of an idea of what Mattingly is thinking with his lineup in 2020.

Jonathan Villar was acquired in a trade with Baltimore this off-season to provide depth at a variety of positions, including third-base. The veteran can also play at second base and shortstop. There’s also talk he may play in centerfield where he has limited experience.

Anderson is a natural third baseman and has shown a knack for playing in right field and has provided solid defense in both positions. Because of Miami’s middle infield, Mattingly may not make a decision on who is at third until opening day. But this team is better with the 26-year-old former third round pick from Arkansas in the lineup.

“Andy“ belted 20 home runs last year before he suffered a broken hand and ended his season one month before the end of 2019. It’s a good bet he would have approached a 25 round-trippers had he remained healthy. The Marlins should do their best to build around him as a centerpiece of this organization.

Expect him, if completely healthy, to get somewhere near the 30 homerun plateau this season.

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