JB Shuck aims to build on record-tying Marlins debut
MIAMI — As a virtuoso debut that nobody expected, the gala that JB Shuck staged Friday at Marlins Park was a smash hit — four to be exact.
With a triple and three singles, the veteran outfielder not only provided the impetus for a 7-2 Miami win against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he joined elite company with three others who had four hits in their first game as Marlins.
Jeff Conine did so in the franchise’s inaugural game in 1993. Carlos Delgado (2005) and Emilio Bonifacio (2009) matched the feat.
“That’s awesome,” Shuck said. “Actually got to play with [Bonifacio]. If you can get your name in that group I’ll take it. That’s a great group of guys.”
Shuck, who became the fourth player to hit a triple in his first plate appearance for the Marlins, is the latest in the fourth outfielder role for Miami. He replaced rookie Braxton Lee, who was sent to Triple-A New Orleans on Friday so he can play regularly and continue his development.
The 30-year-old Shuck offers the experience of 364 games in the major leagues to a club relying heavily on youth. He finished fifth in the voting for American League Rookie of the Year in 2013 when he batted .293 in 129 games with the Angels.
“JB is a guy who has been around more, and he’s not as wide-eyed as a young player who is still trying to find his way,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said.
The experience was evident when Shuck scored from second on Chad Wallach’s sacrifice bunt when the catcher and pitcher both pursued the ball along the first-base line and left the plate unguarded. Shuck read the situation as he rounded third and scored easily.
The four hits Friday raised his career average three points to .254 in 999 at-bats.
This is Shuck’s fifth bigleague team since 2011, but Friday was his first game in the majors since 2016 with the Chicago White Sox.
“Keep grinding,” Shuck said of how he approached getting back onto a bigleague roster. “The last couple years I tried to do too much. So this offseason I really worked on getting back to my game, just not doing too much, trying to put together good at-bats.
“When I got here, the hitting group is great for me. They really helped me out getting back to doing what I do. And I was ready for the season.”
Mattingly said Shuck received serious consideration to start the season with the Marlins after he batted .364 in spring training as a non-roster invitee.
But decisions are often dictated by openings on the 40-man roster. So Shuck found himself starting out wth New Orleans until the call came Thursday while the Baby Cakes were playing at Colorado Springs.
“I just came into camp trying to prove I could play up here,” Shuck said. “In the beginning of the year, they wanted to go in a different direction. I didn’t let it bother me. It’s part of the game. I just went down and got my work in and just hoped I’d be ready if I got a chance.
The smile he flashed after the fourth hit and the celebratory shaving cream in his hair late Friday attested to a memorable beginning in Miami to build on.
Straily rough in rehab start
Dan Straily’s first rehab start for High-A Jupiter was hardly a critical success as the right-hander gave up seven runs (six earned) and five hits, including two home runs, in 2 2⁄3 innings against Daytona, a Cincinnati Reds affiliate.
But in the primary objective, it was a perfect return to the mound.
“I threw 60 pitches, walked away feeling healthy, feeling great. That was the objective,” said Straily, who threw fastballs and changeups.
“Walked the first guy on four straight pitches and the next guy hit a homer. Just never found the strike zone. It was a little weird. Haven’t faced hitters in 3 1⁄2 weeks. That’s the whole point of the assignment. You don’t want to ever give up runs at any level, your pride takes over there. But at the same time, mission accomplished.”
Straily will make his next start Wedneday.
J.T. Realmuto was to begin a rehab assignment Saturday and catch five innings for the Hammerheads, thus starting the clock toward getting a key component back in the Marlins lineup.