Which Miami Marlins Centerfielder is the best of All-Time?
After an informal poll, the Miami Marlins greatest outfielder, of all time is…
As we inch a little closer to the start of the MLB season, it’s fun to walk down memory lane here with the Miami Marlins and engage in debates about which players have been the best at each position in organization history.
Joe Frisaro of MLB.com once again does a great job of breaking down who has had the most success as part of the Florida/Miami Marlins. And when it comes to centerfield, is there any doubt Juan Pierre should get the nod? While there have been other players who have graced the cavernous outfield, tracking down baseballs and playing the position effortlessly, Pierre is the one who stands out in the memories of Marlins fans over the years.
“Pierre’s impact was immediate, starting off in Spring Training when he set a standard that exists today with players arriving to camp extremely early every day,” writes Frisaro. “Pierre’s work ethic was second to none, and he was the catalyst of the ’03 title team. Pierre paced the Major Leagues in stolen bases with 65, which remains a single-season team record.”
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Pierre’s impact on baseball in south Florida wasn’t just felt on the diamond, but also in the way current Miami Marlins player Lewis Brinson modeled his game. Growing up in Ft. Lauderdale, the 25-year-old watched Pierre and hoped one day to be a part of the hometown team, playing in the outfield.
That dream came true when the Marlins sent Christian Yelich to the Milwaukee Brewers for four players, one of which was Brinson.
The rest of the story hasn’t been told yet as Brinson has moved in and out of the team’s MLB lineup and at Triple-A since moving back home.
Brinson still has the potential to become a solid five-tool player and a 30-home run threat from the leadoff spot in the batting order.
If anything, Pierre has shown in his time with the team – from 2003-2005 and then again in 2013, that he is a threat with his speed and defense. Brinson has a chance to use those tools and his power to make a mark on this team in 2020.
“Pierre received the Lou Brock Award, [in 2003] which is given to the player with the most stolen bases in the National League,” Frisaro added. “Pierre hit .305 in 2003, played in every inning of all 162 games, scored 100 runs and had the lowest strikeout rate in the Majors (4.7%).”
Yelich, despite being traded prior to him showing off his power at the plate, was second on the Frisaro’s list. He was a Gold Glove Award winner in ’14 and Silver Slugger Award winner in ’16.