Stanton wants Derby reunion
Slugger hopes to have Shine
MIAMI — Giancarlo Stanton is working on bringing in former Miami Marlins coach Pat Shine to pitch to him in next month’s Home Run Derby at Marlins Park.
Shine, whowas the club’s administrative coach/replay coordinator from 2014-16, threw to Stanton when the Marlins slugger won last year’s Derby.
“The winning formula,” Stanton said of he and Shine. “We’re already talking.”
Shine left the Marlins last offseason for amanaging gig in the Seattle Mariners’ minor league system, but he was relieved of his duties earlier this month.
Don’t expect closer AJ Ramos, Stanton’s close friend, to volunteer to throw if Stanton needs a backup plan.
“No way,” Ramos said. “I don’t want to practice giving up dingers. I would be up there throwing cutters to him. If he hits one too far, ‘OK, I’m hitting him with this one.’”
Stanton said he welcomes all competitors in the July10 contest.
“Anybody,” Stanton said, listing off the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge (26 home rs entering Tuesday) and Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger (24), both rookies and the top two homer hitters in the majors this season. “All those guys, the fans want to see it. I want [Marcell] Ozuna to be in it, too. So, the best candidates. Whoever wants to do it, have fun, and just not have pressure on it.”
Every year around this time comes the idea that the Home Run Derby— and the dozens of swings it takes to win — can ruin a player for the season’s second half. Stanton didn’t experience that last summer and said he’s not worried about it this time around.
“I understand it messes up your swing because it’s not your batting practice swing,” Stanton said. “But at thesametime, if you are precise and try to stay inside the ball and just hit it hard, not hit pop ups, I don’t think it messes up your swing.
“It’s tiring. You’ve got to bring your stamina, I’ll tell you that. But that’s another fun part of it, who’s in shape? Who’s really in shape, who’s not?”
Riddle ready
As the Marlins sent shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria to the Tampa Bay Rays for two minor league rs Monday, manager Don Mattingly reached out to JT Riddle to make clear what the trade made obvious: The organization believes in Riddle.
“It makes me feel good,” Riddle said. “It makes me know there’s a lot of confidence in me as a player, coming fromthe front office and coaches and everybody.
“There’s not really much to say from my end. Good luck to Hech.”
In addition to being the Marlins’ starting shortstop, Riddle is their only shortstop. Second baseman Dee Gordon would be able to slide over in a pinch, but until utility infielder Miguel Rojas (thumb surgery) returns, it’ll be Riddle every day.
“It’s a little scary,” Mattingly said of not having a true backup.
While starting 41 consecutive games at short through Tuesday, Riddle has dealt with a few minor nicks — tight leg here, sore shoulder there, Mattingly said — and of late has slumped. Since June 2, Riddle had a slash line of .185/.214/.235 in 22 games entering the Marlins’ series with the Mets.