Ten observations after 10 Marlins spring training games
At this point, it’s probably safe to say the Marlins aren’t going to win a Grapefruit League title this season. After their 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, the Marlins are 1-8-1 after 10 games of their 29-game spring training schedule.
But first-year manager Skip Schumaker isn’t looking at the wins and losses that are accruing during spring training.
“When’s Opening Day? That’s when winning matters to me,” Schumaker said last week.
What matters to Schumaker
in the moment is making sure his team is ready for when the wins and losses actually matter. That starts March 30 when Miami hosts the New York Mets to begin their 162-game regular season.
Until then, the focus is preparation, learning his roster and making sure everyone is on board with the team’s game plan as a new manager with a mostly new coaching staff attempts to get the Marlins back to being competitive.
Here are 10 thoughts and observations on the Marlins now that they have played 10 spring training games.
They have a leadoff hitter.
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That would be Luis Arraez, the high-contact hitter and reigning American League batting champion they acquired from the Minnesota Twins in January. Even in spring, Arraez’s ability to put the ball in play has been on full display. He has had 17 at-bats so far and has put the ball in play in 16 of them with five hits.
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The rest of the top of the order appears more or less set as well.
Jorge Soler, likely to get most of his starts at designated hitter, has generally batted second when in the lineup, which fits Schu
maker’s philosophy of having power in that spot. Center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. and first baseman Garrett Cooper follow at either No. 3 or No. 4, with right fielder Avisail Garcia right behind them at No. 5 and third baseman Jean Segura at No. 6. That leaves shortstop Joey Wendle, the remaining outfielder (likely between Bryan De La Cruz and Jesus Sanchez) and catcher for the final three spots.
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Will the infield defense have enough time to get acclimated?
The Marlins’ infield of Cooper at first base, Arraez at second base, Wendle at shortstop and Segura at third base played together for just 10 innings over two games so far this spring. And now Arraez and Segura are off to the World Baseball Classic and could be away from camp for up to two weeks.
While all four are playing and getting their individual reps, building chemistry ahead of the season is key for this group.
Chisholm in center is a work in progress, which the Marlins expected.
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As confident as Chisholm is about, well, everything he can do on a baseball field, there was always going to be learning curve as he learned a position he never played before. He has made strides, but there are so many nuances to playing center field that he is still figuring out. He has time, but don’t expect perfection right away.
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Sandy Alcantara already looks like vintage Sandy Alcantara.
The Marlins’ ace and reigning National League Cy Young Award winner allowed just one run over 4 2⁄3 innings in his first two spring starts before joining the Dominican Republic’s camp ahead of the World Baseball Classic.
After throwing two shutout innings in his first outing Wednesday against the Mets, Alcantara left with a runner on first with two outs in the third against the Rays after hitting his pitch count (48
pitches). That runner eventually scored when Luke Raley hit a three-run home run against Josh Simpson.
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Are the Marlins going with a five- or sixman rotation?
The real answer is the team hasn’t decided and likely won’t until after the World Baseball Classic. They have six capable arms in Alcantara, Trevor Rogers, Johnny Cueto, Jesus Luzardo, Edward Cabrera and Braxton Garrett. Alcantara, Cueto and Luzardo are
locks, and Rogers has impressed early in spring (five scoreless innings). Both Cabrera and Garrett have one minor-league option remaining, so the odd-man out will still be able to be sent to the minor leagues to start the season.
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The pitch clock hasn’t seemed to hinder Marlins hitters or pitchers.
Marlins pitchers have had minimal violations with the pitch clock, which gives them 15 seconds to throw a pitch when there are no runners on base and 20 seconds when runners are on base. The same goes for the hitters, who have to be engaged with the pitcher with at least eight seconds left on the clock.
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Who fills spots for players participating in the World Baseball Classic?
With Alcantara, Cueto, Luzardo, Segura and Arraez away from the Marlins for as long as two weeks on the back half of camp, Schumaker will get a chance to see other players in starting roles during spring. Utility player Jon Berti will get reps at second and third. Prospect Jacob Amaya, acquired from the Dodgers in the Miguel Rojas trade, will get extra time at second base in addition to shortstop. Garrett Hampson, a nonroster invitee, will get time at both middle infield spots along with center field. Jordan Groshans and nonroster invitee Joe Rizzo will get looks at third (both are also getting looks at first base).
As for pitchers, top prospects Eury Perez and Dax Fulton could get starts alongside Cabrera, Garrett and Rogers. Daniel Castano and Bryan
Hoeing, both of whom have big-league experience, could get more work, as could relievers Devin Smeltzer and Chi Chi Gonzalez, who are being stretched out to throw multiple innings.
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The latest on four key bullpen arms.
Lefthanded pitchers Tanner Scott and A.J. Puk, both of whom are dealing with minor injuries, are scheduled to throw live batting practice sessions Tuesday and hopefully get into games a few days after that. Right-handed pitcher Huascar Brazoban threw a live BP session on Sunday. Tommy Nance, dealing with a shoulder injury, is doing everything with his routine except actually throwing a baseball.
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Marlins relief pitchers likely won’t start pitching back-to-back games until the final week-and-a-half of camp . ... Catchers Jacob Stallings and Nick Fortes are getting near 50-50 reps so far in camp . ... The first cuts of camp will likely take place at some point this week.