Versatility gives Dietrich a shot at starting in left field
JUPITER — The ability to play all over the field has always been a major asset for Derek Dietrich.
To the contrary, jumping around in his approach to hitting has not served his objective of becoming an everyday player for the Miami Marlins. Manager Don Mattingly cited Dietrich’s frequent tinkering at the plate as contributing to his erratic performance last season.
This spring has shown a more settled Dietrich, both as a hitter and in having a position to call his own for the first time as the Marlins’ starting left fielder.
“I think Derek has gotten to the point where he finally started to believe in himself and what he was doing and didn’t need to make changes all the time,” Mattingly said. “To me, it would have worked earlier if he’d have been more consistent. But he hasn’t changed anything on us in the spring and the winter, so I think he’s where he needs to be.”
In the past, when Dietrich hit a rough patch at the plate, he’d alter his focus. This spring he has shown commitment to his approach to hitting and is showing the ability to provide much-needed offense in the revamped outfield.
Dietrich leads the Marlins with three home runs this spring after belting a no-doubt drive to right Friday against the Cardinals’ Michael Wacha. He had a double Saturday against the Astros and is batting .333.
“It’s going to sound funny, but I just try to hit hard line drives every single time I’m at the plate,” Dietrich said. “Take my best swing, hit a hard line drive, head-high through the infield. That’s my single thought process up at the plate.”
Dietrich has been an asset for his versatility since debuting with the Marlins in 2013. Periods when he received extended playing time was as a fill-in, mainly at second base and third.
“Defensively, I think the outfield move has taken some of the thought out of offense,” he said. “I know I can hit, so I just concentrate on being at the right place at the right time in the outfield, hitting my cutoff man and being ready to make plays. And then go up there and hit; it’s been good so far.”
Having spent most of his career in the infield, Dietrich isn’t expected to match Christian Yelich’s Gold Glove-caliber play in left field. He has also appeared in two games in right field, and Mattingly said Dietrich could be shifted to the opposite corner in certain situations.
“We’ve talked a little about possibly flipping him during an inning if it was an obvious situation where a guy hit a lot more balls to left — if we had a [Cameron Maybin] or somebody like that in right,” Mattingly said.
The Marlins are most concerned with the offense Dietrich can provide after trading away the best-hitting outfield in baseball. It is the bat that will determine whether he remains an everyday player.
Dietrich’s versatility isn’t limited to the field. Mattingly said Saturday that he is debating whether to have Dietrich bat leadoff because of his ability to get on base or utilize him in the middle of the order in a run-producing spot.
“The value of the versatile player these days, I’m watching around the league, they want guys who can be versatile and be athletic, and play all over,” Dietrich said. “That's what I've always put myself in position to do, play multiple positions, keep my bat in the lineup.”