Draft pick’s power on display for Marlins
Miami’s second-round shortstop impresses in batting practice.
MIAMI — Marlins Park’s cavernous outfield dimensions can often frustrate power hitters.
Don’t tell 17-year old Osiris Johnson that.
While the Marlins hope Johnson, their 2018 second-round draft choice who they announced Monday had signed his pro deal with the club, will clear the distant fences in center-field against live pitching in the near future,
they got a glimpse of his power when he took batting practice with the big-league club.
With Johnson signing, the Marlins have inked deals with all of their picks in the first 10 rounds.
“When we talked about our draft philosophy, we talked about building up the middle and building with athletes, guys who could impact the game offensively and defensively with their speed and their defense,” Marlins
President of Baseball Operations Michael Hill said. “With Osiris, you see a package like that, an athletic shortstop. He’s a live body who can hit the ball to all fields. We’re excited that it’s official now.”
Johnson (6-foot, 180 pounds), the 53rd overall pick in the draft and a cousin of former MLB shortstop Jimmy Rollins, participated in a workout at Marlins Park before the draft. He got a tour of the Marlins’ clubhouse Monday and later got a chance to stretch pregame with several players and fielded ground balls at short. He later stayed and watched the game with his family.
In batting practice, Johnson showed his power to all fields and hit three home runs into the hedge beyond the 407-foot center field wall.
Hill said Johnson, the second-youngest player in this year’s draft, would soon report to Jupiter to begin playing with the Gulf Coast League Marlins, their rookie ball affiliate.
Roster moves: The Marlins placed starter Caleb Smith on the 10-day disabled list with a Grade 3 lat strain, the club announced Monday. He’s expected to miss substantial time.
Smith experienced left shoulder tightness and exited early from Sunday’s start in Colorado.
Smith’s injury coupled with Jose Urena’s right shoulder impingement (already on the DL), and Dan Straily awaiting a decision on his appeal of a five-game suspension, could leave the Marlins down three starters in their rotation within the next few days.
The Marlins’ first move as expected was to recall righthander Ben Meyer from Triple A New Orleans for his second stint with the club this season after pitching three scoreless innings and allowing one hit in two appearances from June 6-14.
Marlins manager Don Mattingly said Meyer would pitch out of the bullpen, but could make a spot start if needed.
Elieser Hernandez is slated to start today for Urena, but the Marlins would need a replacement for Smith for Friday’s game against the Mets, and would need another for Straily if his suspension (stemming from the incident last week in San Francisco in which he hit Buster Posey with a pitch) is upheld.
Hill mentioned Dillon Peters and Jarlin Garcia as potential candidates currently pitching in the minors but reiterated that the club would continue to be patient with top pitching prospect Sandy Alcantara, who has pitched 85 innings (14 starts) in Triple A this year, as well as others such as Pablo Lopez (1-1, 3.71 ERA in three Triple A starts).
Alcantara has gone 5-3 with a 3.71 ERA, striking out 64 and walking 34 batters.
Realmuto rests: Catcher J.T. Realmuto was not in the lineup Monday as a precaution after he took a foul ball off his wrist in Sunday’s game. Mattingly said Realmuto was really sore and that an extra day off today was possible should the soreness linger.